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Must Have Workshop Equipment For Farriers

Date: 26-05-2025
Tips and Tricks Tools And Equipment

When selecting your workshop equipment, it’s important to prioritise function and quality if you want to get the most out of your workspace. Regardless of whether you’re just starting out as a farrier, or are simply looking to expand or upgrade your collection of tools, finding the right workshop equipment for your needs can be difficult and confusing due to the number of options available. In this piece we look at the must have equipment for your workshop and how you can best put it to use.

 

Why Selecting The Right Workshop Equipment Is Vital

Much like when you’re out attending to clients, the tools that you have available in your workshop will have a significant impact on the quality of the work you can perform. Unlike your travelling took kit, your workshop equipment is a big ticket item that you’ll rarely need to replace. This makes selecting the right option even more important, as these will be some of the most used tools of your career and are a long term investment for your business.

 

What Workshop Equipment Is Necessary?

When setting up your workshop you’ll want to ensure that you’re prepared for any job that may need doing. For this reason, we suggest having an anvil, forge, stall jack and a good tool selection at a minimum. Purchasing a portable toolbox is also a great way to ensure that the things you need are always easily accessible. You’ll want to do your research on which option within each category fits your needs best, so we’ve provided more information below to make things easier for you:

 

 

Anvils

Anvils are useful both on site with clients, and within your workshop. Having said this, the best anvil for your workshop isn’t necessarily the best anvil for taking with you when doing your rounds. This is why there are two different types of anvils – a workshop or forging anvil for the shop, and a farrier anvil, which is lighter, more mobile, and capable of being kept in your truck. The required anvil will depend on the location and type of farrier work you will be doing, so it is a wise decision to invest in both.

 

What Are Anvils Used For

Anvils have been used by blacksmiths and farriers for centuries. Rather like human feet, each horse’s hoof is different, and an anvil is used to shape each horseshoe to custom fit to the horses you are servicing. Another use of an anvil is to make sure the horseshoe is flat, so it fits perfectly to the horse’s hoof, thus avoiding causing pain to the horse.

 

How Is An Anvil Made?

The main section of most anvils is comprised of a work surface which is flat and smooth. Referred to as the ‘Face’, this is used to shape and to flatten or level the horseshoe. The face is made from hardened steel that has been tempered to resist the blow of the hammer so it does not get damaged.

Most options also include a ‘horn’. The horn is a conical shape that allows the farrier to bend and curve the metal in shoemaking. Anvils can also have side lugs which give you more versatility when shaping horseshoes, i.e. aluminium race plates or light shoes.

Additionally, many anvils will have a ‘hardy’ hole in the face, which is a square hole to hold shoemaking and blacksmithing tools that are used for custom forging techniques.

 

The Best Portable Anvils

The 20KG/44lbs and 40kg/88lbs anvils by O’Dwyer are fantastic options for when you need to shape shoes on the go. Both are suitable for daily use and can be moved around from job to job in the back of your vehicle. They also have the benefit of side lugs which gives you more versatility when shaping your shoes, and the 40kg option is suitable for some shoe making.

 

Pair Your Portable Anvil With The Truckvil Or Vanvil

The Truckvil and Vanvil are designed to go everywhere with you. Once installed in your truck or van, they’ll keep your anvil secure and make working while out and about a breeze. These innovative products also have their own toolflute designed to perfectly integrate with your system.

Left: Truckvil. Right: Vanvil.

 

The Best Anvil For Your Workshop

The O’Dwyer 95kg/209lbs anvil is a shop anvil designed for blacksmithing and shoe making. It has a larger working face and horn and is perfect for a permanent setup.

 

The Best Multi-Purpose Anvil

The Centurion is an European style anvil which is designed with a flat horn and a large working face. It comes in one size (38kg), making it ideal for both the forge and truck.  

 

A Note On O’Dwyer Anvils

All O’Dwyer anvils feature hardy holes, are made from high tensile 4140 steel, and are tested to Brinell hardness standards.

 

An Anvil Holder

In addition to your anvil, you’re going to need somewhere for it to live. The Blacksmith Italia Power Block Anvil Stand is a mini anvil stand, making it a wonderfully versatile piece of workshop equipment. The unit has a tripod stand for extra stability and concussion pads to take the shock absorption out of the face, adding to its effectiveness as a tool for your farrier business.

 

Stall Jacks

If you often work away from your truck or van while out on jobs, you’ll also want to invest in a stall jack. Small, light, and portable, stall jacks are ideal for moving from horse to horse, or carrying between stalls or stables when shoeing. They can be used for working on aluminum horseshoes and smaller steel shoes, as well as for small adjustments.

The Yoder Stall Jack is made in the US and offers a simple solution to your portable shoe shaping needs.

 

Left: Yoder Stall Jack. Right: Blacksmith Italia Power Block Anvil Stand

 

Forges

Another key piece of workshop equipment is a forge. A forge is used to heat a horseshoe or piece of metal to the temperature where it can be shaped and moulded. Traditionally heated using coke (a byproduct of making steel), most furnaces available today have switched to gas power. This is because gas forges are generally considered much cleaner and easier to work with and maintain. They can come with a single or double burner and the heat can be adjusted depending on the type of metal you are using.

Most commonly a forge is used for making alterations to a purchased shoe in order to custom fit it to a horse, as neither steel nor aluminum shoes are designed to be fitted as they come out of the packet. Those who make their own horseshoes will make use of their forge to heat their shoe stock to create the shoe and make any alterations.

It is worth noting that aluminium shoes have a far lower tolerance for exposure to heat than their steel counterparts, so you will need to be mindful of this when shaping.

 

The Best Portable Forge

The Italia Blacksmith Single Burner Forge is incredibly popular and offers an ideal solution for those who need a compact forge that is just as at home in their van or ute as their workshop.

 

The Best Workshop Forge

Those looking for a slightly larger forge with enhanced functionality will find that the Italia Blacksmith Double Burner Forge is the perfect workshop forge for their needs. Each burner can be regulated separately allowing desired temperatures to be reached quickly and maintained easily.

 

Portable Tool Boxes

Farrier tools need to be stored and maintained properly if you want them to last as long as possible, and the use of a tool box is a quick and easy way to achieve this. By selecting a portable option you’ll also make your tools more easily accessible therefore boosting efficiency.

 

The Best Portable Tool Box For Your Workshop

If you want a tool box that will keep everything nicely organised and can be moved around your workshop to best accommodate the task you’re working on at any given time, the Yoder Tool Box Shorty is an ideal option. Designed for durability and functionality, this compact, low-profile tool box with wheels can go anywhere with you.

 

The Best Portable Tool Boxes For Vehicle

While the abovementioned Yoder Tool Box Shorty can easily travel with you to keep everything neat and accessible while working, sometimes you’ll want something a little smaller. In these instances, we suggest making use of one of our Farrier Tool Box Kits.

Designed to have everything you need for any situation, the Mustad Farrier Tool Box Kit is our all in one solution. We also have an Emergency Shoe Removal Kit – a must-have for anyone who owns a horse – and the Farrier Trim Kit which keeps things light while ensuring all your trimming needs are met.

All options come in a convenient carry case and are crafted for maximum portability.

 

 

What Tools Do I Need To Make Horseshoes?

Speaking of tools, while your workshop equipment will be the main part of your permanent setup within your space, having the right tools for making horseshoes – both at your home base and out on the road - is just as important. You’ll need a range of items to efficiently handmake horseshoes and / or modify purchased shoes to fit to an individual horse’s hooves.

 

Horseshoe Making Hammers

Firstly, and potentially most importantly, you’ll need at least one good hammer. The GDM Forging Hammer and GDM Ball Clipping Hammer are great options for this. We also stock the Mustad Forging Hammers which come in light (32oz / 950g); heavy (36oz / 1110g) and square head hammer (36oz / 1110g). This makes them ideal for those who like to switch up their tools based on the size and type of shoe they’re working with.

In the video below, Farrier and Mustad sales team member, Clint Rolfe explains the different types of forging hammers and their uses:

 

Horseshoe Making Tongs

You’ll also want to ensure that you have the right tongs for the horseshoe sizes you’ll be working with. Forging tongs are vital for the safe handling of hot shoes and steel when working with your forge, and are made from high quality steel that offers extreme heat resistance.

Tongs should be selected to fit the exact bar thickness that you are working on for maximum safety. For this reason, we have both 8mm and 10mm options available within the Mustad Black Tongs range.

 

Horseshoe Finishing Tools

Once you have shaped your horseshoes, you’ll need to ensure they’re appropriately fullered and have nail holes where you need them. For this you’ll want a good

 

 

Don’t Forget The Apron

Finally, although aprons aren’t technically a tool or piece of workshop equipment in the same sense as the other products on this list are, they are a key piece of personal protective equipment. Not only will an apron provide an extra layer of protection between you and sharp edges, heat and sparks, or whatever you’re working on, but it will also act as comfortable, portable storage. Plus, you can take your apron with you when you head out to see your clients, making them a practical solution regardless of where you’re working.

 

 

 

Investing in top quality equipment for your workshop and vehicle makes good business sense. Not only does it help ensure you’ll always have the tools to get the job done right, but it also means that you won’t find yourself having to replace things all the time. For more information or purchasing assistance please contact our team.

 

P.S. Don’t want to get your normal clothes dirty? Grab some Mustad merchandise. Our polos are breathable, our hoodies are warm, and our cap does a great job of keeping harsh UV rays off your head and the sun out of your eyes.