Farrier services at veterinary teaching hospitals in the USA

Horse health is best served when farriers and veterinarians collaborate in the care of their patients. Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (VTHs) provide an environment that can nurture that collaboration. While VTH veterinary services are well known, VTH farrier activities are undocumented. To characterise farrier services at VTHs in the USA, 27 VTH Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and/or VTH farriers completed a multiple choice questionnaire characterising VTH farrier details, training, certification, remuneration method, and clinical, teaching and research responsibilities; and farrier service prevalence, facilities and financial viability. Questionnaire response rate was 81%. Eighteen of 22 (82%) responding VTHs had in‐house farrier services. Twenty‐one of 22 (95%) VTH farriers were male. Farriers' ages ranged from <30 years (n = 1, 5%) to >50 years (n = 7, 32%). At 11 (61%) VTHs the farriers were paid by the client and at 7 (39%) by the VTH. Five farriers (23%) received a VTH salary. Eighteen of 22 (82%) farriers had a professional certification. At 5 (28%) VTHs the farrier service made a profit and operational costs were met at 13 (72%). Fifteen (83%) farrier services provided professional education in clinical settings and 13 (72%) in lecture settings. Nine (41%) VTH farriers participated in research activities. In the USA, VTH farrier services vary considerably in both nature and extent. The farriers' potential contributions to VTH operations are often recognised but not consistently exploited. VTH farriers are a valuable resource who can contribute effectively toward VTH patient care, veterinary education and research.