Kentucky Horseshoeing School is proud to be Nationally Accredited by the Accsc, and is a provider of Federal Financial AID!
Meet Our Director
Mitch Taylor, a Certified Journeyman Farrier in the American Farrier's Association (AFA), directs all instruction at KHS. Recognized throughout the farrier industry as a top clinician and educator, Mitch stays actively involved in all aspects of the farrier profession. In addition to his work at KHS, he conducts numerous clinics for the international farrier and veterinary community and volunteers extensively in the AFA, where he has served on the Board of Directors and as Education Committee Chairman.
A noted author, Mitch publishes frequently in Professional Farrier, the official publication of the American Farrier's Association, and served as the primary author of the AFA's Education Manual; he has published extensively in numerous other farrier publications, including the American Farrier's Journal.
Because Everything Is Riding On YOU .. Make Your Choice Kentucky Horseshoeing School!
We all know the saying... "No hoof, no horse"-- but who is it that is helping to protect and care for that hoof? Who will your clients trust to care for their horses? Will you have the Confidence you need to face the situations that can arise as a farrier? If you are a graduate of Khsus-- you will have the confidence, the knowledge and ability to be up to the challenge and to keep your client's horses, performing their best!
Is It True That Kentucky Horseshoeing School is Nationally Accredited?
YES! Kentucky Horseshoeing School is proud to be Nationally Accredited by the Accsc (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges). Accordingly, Accsc is committed to the important role of ensuring the integrity of educational programs as a means of serving the public interest and public accountability.
Is Kentucky Horseshoeing School A Provider of Federal Financial Aid?
YES! Financial Assistance in the form of loans and grants is available to qualified students. KHS makes every possible effort to aid those students who need financial assistance in order to complete their college programs. Applicants in need should apply for financial assistance at the same time they apply for admission to Kentucky Horseshoeing School.
Some types of aid available are:
Students seeking financial assistance through any of the available programs should request information and appropriate financial aid counseling from KHS. The Financial Aid Administrator will be pleased to assist in completing and submitting all forms to the appropriate agency/lender. The student is responsible for providing accurate information. Financial aid consists of Grants, Scholarships and Loans. Please remember that loans must be repaid and should not be considered entitlements.
Note: There is a wide variety of scholarship opportunities available, all with different criteria.
About Our Amazing SchoolTeaching and hands-on training at Kentucky Horseshoeing School is conducted in our new State-of-the Art teaching campus. Our custom-designed 23,000 square foot facility is comprised of three individual shops, two classrooms, a welding shop and lounge facilities. These areas are designed to provide the optimum educational venue while assuring a safe environment. The entire facility is outfitted with the latest equipment and visual learning aids, as well as wireless Internet accessibility throughout the campus.
The KHS work areas are complete with gas and coke forges, belt grinders, drill presses, knife sharpening stations and arc welding capabilities. There is ample room for shoeing horses with 14 cross-tie stations to contain horses for shoeing and more than 30 workstations, complete with anvils, vices and both propane and coal forges.
This configuration allows each student to work their own forge station and enhances student safety. For further efficiency and ease of learning, beginning and advanced forging classes/continuing education clinics are held in separate shops.
KHS is excited about the new modular housing options on our Richmond campus with numerous options for both male and female students. A senior staff member resides on the KHS campus to supervise the residential students.
What About Meals?
Meals can be prepared in the dormitory kitchens or purchased at local cafes and restaurants. A lounge equipped with a television, VCR, and a library of educational videos is also available for student use.
How About Their Instructional Staff?
The Kentucky Horseshoeing School employs two resident assistants at all times. These staff members are practicing farriers and honor graduates of KHS, trained by Mitch Taylor to instruct students in basic farrier techniques. These positions prove helpful in instructing from the student viewpoint and provide valuable insight and incentive for attending students.
The Kentucky Horseshoeing School employs a professional staff to assist instructors and visitors. These staff members are familiar with the school's programs and offerings and can assist you as you prepare your application and registration materials.
What Kind Of Teaching Can I Expect?
KHS instruction is designed to be well-rounded. You will acquire skills through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on-training, laboratory demonstrations and field tours. Kentucky Horseshoeing School emphasizes the mastery of fundamental skills and balanced shoeing. You will acquire skills through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on-training, laboratory demonstrations and field tours.
In addition to basic shoemaking, you will learn equine anatomy, physiology and the fundamentals of biomechanics.
In addition to basic horseshoeing and shoe making, you will learn equine anatomy, physiology, and the fundamentals of biomechanics. When not in the classroom, you are encouraged to further your skills on your own. Our shop and forge area, along with our video library, are open seven days a week.
During your tenure, you will master the fundamentals of farrier craftsmanship. You will learn how to trim a horse for proper balance and how to recognize and treat common types of lameness and gait problems. You will be guided through basic and advanced forging techniques, using both coal and gas forges.
About Our Location
Kentucky Horseshoeing School is located in the midst of Kentucky's fabled Bluegrass Region. The fertile soil here nurtures horses of all breeds, and explains why there are more thoroughbred farms concentrated here than anywhere in the world. Here in the "horse capital of the world" you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of horse types and breeds. You may also have the chance to meet noted veterinarians, farriers and equine experts who frequently visit the Kentucky Horseshoeing School as guest lecturers.
At Kentucky Horseshoeing School, you are less than an hours drive from many of the industry's star venues and events. To the East, in Lexington, are Keeneland Race Course, the Red Mile Harness Track and the Kentucky Horse Park (site of the Rolex 3-day Event, the U.S. Polo Open and the Egyptian Event).
And to the West is Louisville, home of Churchill Downs and the world-famous Kentucky Derby, along with the Kentucky State Fairgrounds, which annually hosts the World Championship Horse Show.
Get Registered Or Call For More Information Today!
If you are going to invest in a professional career as a Farrier, don't you deserve to have the best education and support system? Our small classes, high standards, and attention to detail has no equal. Since 1973, these are the elements that combine to make Kentucky Horseshoeing School the best choice for your farrier education. We look forward to helping you towards a bright and independant future as a successful Farrier! Pick up the phone and give us a call today!
Founded in 1978 and located on 40 acres of rolling Bluegrass pasture at 3612 Lexington Road in Richmond, Kentucky, the Kentucky Horseshoeing School (KHS) has grown into one of the premier farrier education centers in North America. The campus spans roughly 23,000 square feet of classrooms, forge shops, and instructional bays, plus modern on-campus dormitories so students can live and train where they learn. KHS blends traditional hand-forging craftsmanship with current equine research to graduate confident, work-ready entry-level farriers.
Director of Education Mitchell L. Taylor, MS, CJF, Awcf, APF, has more than 40 years in the trade and has been an American Farrier's Association Certified Journeyman Farrier since 1982. He is a three-time AFA "Educator of the Year" (2007, 2011, 2022), the 2012 AFA Clinician of the Year, and a 2015 inductee into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. He teaches alongside a credentialed staff including CJF instructor Nate Smith and Certified Farrier instructors Javier Jimenez, Carter Warncke, and Bree Price, with adjunct faculty in animal welfare and equine nutrition from the University of Kentucky.
KHS runs a Twenty-Four-Week Intermediate Farrier Course and a Thirty-Six Week Career Track Course, with a 48-week program announced as coming soon. The Farrier Science curriculum pairs classroom study of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and equine locomotion with hands-on trimming, shoeing, shoe fabrication, forging, and welding. KHS also provides farrier apprenticeship placement, dedicated business education, and individual coaching through specialty courses so graduates can launch and run a profitable practice.
Full-time enrollment is built around 40 clock hours of instruction per week, combining lecture, forge work, and live horse work. Two days each week students go out to trim the hooves of pasture horses that do not wear shoes, building real reps on real animals before graduation. Class sizes are kept small so instructors can give individual attention to each student's forge and footcare technique.
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: Mitch Taylor is a Certified Journeyman Farrier in the American Farrier's Association (AFA) and directs all instruction at KHS. Per the school: "Recognized throughout the farrier industry as a top clinician and educator."
Mitch's farrier-community credentials:
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: YES on both counts.
Accreditation: KHS is Nationally Accredited by the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges). Per the school: ACCSC is committed to ensuring the integrity of educational programs as a means of serving the public interest and public accountability.
Federal Financial Aid programs available:
Per the school: applicants in need should apply for financial assistance at the same time they apply for admission. The Financial Aid Administrator assists with completing and submitting forms. "Please remember that loans must be repaid and should not be considered entitlements." A wide variety of scholarship opportunities is also available with different criteria.
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: the custom-designed 23,000 square foot facility includes:
Work areas equipped with:
Per the school: beginning and advanced forging classes / continuing education clinics are held in separate shops for further efficiency and ease of learning.
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: new modular housing options on the Richmond campus with options for both male and female students. A senior staff member resides on the KHS campus to supervise residential students.
Meals:
A lounge with TV, VCR, and a library of educational videos is available for student use.
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School:
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School, instruction is well-rounded with skills acquired through:
Curriculum emphasizes mastery of fundamental skills + balanced shoeing. Topics covered:
Per the school: shop and forge area, along with the video library, are open seven days a week — students are encouraged to further their skills on their own time.
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: located in the midst of Kentucky's fabled Bluegrass Region — the "horse capital of the world" — with more thoroughbred farms concentrated than anywhere in the world. Students get the opportunity to work on a variety of horse types and breeds, and may meet noted veterinarians, farriers, and equine experts who visit as guest lecturers.
Less than an hour's drive away:
Per Kentucky Horseshoeing School: KHS has been operating since 1973. Per the school posture: "Our small classes, high standards, and attention to detail has no equal. Since 1973, these are the elements that combine to make Kentucky Horseshoeing School the best choice for your farrier education."
To apply or learn more: (859) 575-4063, email [email protected]. Address: 3612 Lexington Road, Richmond, Kentucky 40475. Pricing varies by program length and financial aid eligibility; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors — confirm current tuition, dates, and financial-aid eligibility with KHS directly when applying.
The school is located at 3612 Lexington Road, Richmond, Kentucky 40475, in the heart of the Bluegrass region. The campus sits on 40 acres of rolling pasture and includes about 23,000 square feet of classrooms, forge shops, and instructional areas. On-campus dormitories let students live where they train.
You can reach KHS by phone at (859) 575-4063 or (859) 575-4068, or by email at [email protected]. The school also has a contact page and admissions team at khs.edu for catalog requests and campus tours. Admissions inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
Yes. KHS is Nationally Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a recognized accrediting agency. That accreditation is what allows the school to participate in federal financial aid programs. It also reflects a long-standing reputation as one of the premier farrier schools in North America.
Yes, KHS is an approved provider of federal financial aid for students who qualify. Students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov using the school code 001602. Available aid can include Pell Grants, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work Study (FWS).
KHS offers a Twenty-Four-Week Intermediate Farrier Course and a Thirty-Six Week Career Track Course, with a 48-week program announced as coming soon. Beyond the core courses, the school provides farrier apprenticeship placement, business education, and individual coaching through specialty courses. Each path is built around the Farrier Science curriculum.
The two primary programs run 24 weeks and 36 weeks, with a longer 48-week course on the way. Full-time enrollment is structured around 40 clock hours of instruction per week. The longer Career Track course gives students more time to build forge skills and refine technique before graduation.
The Twenty-Four-Week Intermediate Farrier Course is $21,000 in tuition plus a $2,000 lab fee, for a total of $23,000. The Thirty-Six Week Career Track Course is $30,000 in tuition plus a $3,000 lab fee, for a total of $33,000. The school notes that tuition prices are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed for unpaid tuition.
Students study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and equine locomotion in the classroom, then apply it through trimming, shoeing, shoe fabrication, forging, and welding. The curriculum also covers professionalism and business management so graduates can run a successful practice. The goal is to produce the very best entry-level farriers in the country.
Yes. Two days each week, students go out to trim the hooves of pasture horses that do not wear shoes, building hands-on experience on live animals. This is combined with extensive forge work and classroom lectures throughout the program. The mix of theory and real footcare reps is central to the KHS approach.
Mitchell L. Taylor, MS, CJF, AWCF, APF, is the Director of Education at KHS and directs all instruction. He has been an American Farrier's Association Certified Journeyman Farrier since 1982 and has over 40 years in the trade. His honors include three AFA "Educator of the Year" awards (2007, 2011, 2022), the 2012 AFA Clinician of the Year, and induction into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in 2015.
Alongside Director Mitch Taylor, the faculty includes CJF Farrier Instructor Nate Smith and Certified Farrier instructors Javier Jimenez, Carter Warncke, and Bree Price. Adjunct faculty bring additional expertise, including Wayne Hipsley in animal welfare and safety and Robert Coleman, PhD, of the University of Kentucky in equine nutrition and horse management. Campus Director Ted Herr also assists with student placement.
Yes. The school has dedicated programs for the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as Veterans Readiness and Employment (VA Vocational Rehabilitation). Veterans and eligible dependents should contact the school to confirm how their benefits apply. KHS works with students individually to package their available aid.
Yes. KHS points students toward several external scholarship opportunities, including the Jamieson Albright Farrier Scholarship, the Race For Education Scholarship, the Mike Rowe Works Ethics Scholarship, and the Imagine America High School Scholarship. The Imagine America award generally requires a GPA of at least 2.5, demonstrated financial need, and community service. The school's financial aid office can help identify which options fit your situation.
Yes, KHS offers modern on-campus dormitories so out-of-town students can live where they train. Dormitory options and pricing are not posted online, so the school asks prospective students to contact KHS directly for current details. Living on the 40-acre campus keeps students close to the forge shops and pasture work.
New classes begin on rolling start dates throughout the year, so the best step is to contact admissions early to confirm the next opening. You can call (859) 575-4063 or (859) 575-4068, email [email protected], or request the current catalog through khs.edu. Because class sizes are kept small, seats can fill quickly, so applying ahead of your target start date is recommended.
Yes. The school provides farrier apprenticeship placement and has a Campus Director, Ted Herr, who assists with student placement. Combined with the business education built into the curriculum, this helps graduates either step into apprenticeships or launch their own farrier practices. The aim is a smooth transition from student to working professional.
Established in 1978, KHS combines national ACCSC accreditation, eligibility for federal financial aid, a Hall of Fame director, and a 40-acre Bluegrass campus with on-site dorms and roughly 23,000 square feet of instructional space. Few farrier schools pair that depth of accreditation and facilities with hands-on pasture work and small classes. It has built a reputation as one of the premier farrier education centers in North America.
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