5 Ways to Keep Horses Calm During a Farrier Visit

Healthy hooves make happy horses and therefore, safer humans!

For some horses, the farrier’s arrival is no big deal. They stand quietly, lift their legs politely, and occasionally sneak in an affectionate nuzzle. For others, it can feel like the world is ending. Tight jaws. Pinned ears. Stiff bodies. A lot of nervous energy packed into four hooves.

Most horses sit somewhere in the middle.

They cope, but they fidget, shift their weight, or try to pull their legs away. And that leaves many horse owners, especially those in pony clubs, dressage and recreational riding, asking the same question:

How can I help my horse feel calmer and more comfortable for the farrier?

Regular trimming and shoeing are essential for soundness, balance, and long-term hoof health. Research consistently shows that well-maintained hooves support better movement and comfort. But just as importantly, farrier visits don’t have to be stressful.

At Huds and Toke ™ we believe that lower stress for your pony, and safer conditions for the farrier, will provide a much better experience for everyone involved.

That's one of the reasons we are so passionate about creating Horse Training Treats and Horse Calming products.

Here are five practical, horse-friendly ways to help your horse stay calm during farrier visits.

1.  Teach Calmness Before the Farrier Arrives

A calm farrier visit starts long before the ute pulls up the driveway.

Horses don’t magically know how to stand quietly while tied, groomed, or have their feet handled. That calmness comes from consistent training, routine, and predictability.

Spend time teaching your horse that standing quietly is safe and rewarding.

Practice tying up for short periods. Ask for feet regularly, not just on farrier day. Reward relaxed behaviours like:

• A lowered head
• Soft eyes
• Deep, slow exhales

Gentle scratches on the withers, quiet praise, or calm strokes along the neck can be incredibly reassuring.

For some horses, food rewards and Horse Treats can help reinforce these calm, good behaviors.

This is where purpose-designed Calming Horse Treats, and other Horse Training Treats, can make a difference.

How Calmo’s Can Help - Calming Horse Treats

Huds and Toke ™ Calmo’s Horse Calming Cookies are designed to support calm behaviour without overstimulation.

They are NOT a sedative medication.  Rather an all natural treat using ingredients found in nature which calms a horse rather than sedate it.

Given shortly before a farrier visit, they help create a more settled mindset, making it easier for your horse to process what’s happening and respond calmly.

Think of them as part of your calm-training toolkit, not a shortcut, but a supportive extra layer.

2.  Build Confidence, Trust and Predictability

Standing on three legs goes against every instinct a horse has. They know they’re vulnerable. That’s why trust matters so much.

When your horse gives you a foot, they’re trusting that you will:

• Hold it safely
• Put it down when they need
• Nothing scary is about to happen

You can build this trust by routinely handling their legs with confidence and clarity. Ask clearly. Hold calmly. Release deliberately.

The key is consistency. When horses understand there’s a clear beginning and a clear end, they relax. Uncertainty creates tension. Predictability creates calm.

3.  Be Aware of What You’re Reinforcing

Horses learn incredibly quickly, sometimes faster than we realise.

If a horse moves their hoof and we immediately let go, they may learn that moving equals release. Over time, that behaviour gets stronger.

The same applies to rewards. Horse Treats, pats or praise, given at the wrong moment, can accidentally reinforce fidgeting instead of stillness.

The goal is to reward the calm moment, even if it’s brief. Timing matters.

Using calming horse treats like Calmo’s before the session, rather than during moments of movement, can help lower overall arousal so you’re not fighting uphill in the first place.

Then, using normal Horse Treats during the session, to reward calm moments, will reinforce the behaviour.....  Just be sure that you are rewarding the correct behaviour!

4.  Set Up the Environment for Success

The setting of the farrier visit plays a bigger role than many owners realise.

Simple changes can dramatically reduce stress:

• Choose a quiet, familiar area
• Avoid busy times like feeding or yard traffic
• Provide shade and shelter from wind or rain
• Manage flies with masks, sheets or repellents 

If your horse struggles with separation anxiety, bring a calm companion.

Farrier day is not the day to test independence training!

Some owners also find gentle background music or calm ambient sounds helpful.  However, this is only helpful if you have practised with back-ground music or noise diligently in the past....  Otherwise it will simply be another distraction for them.  

5.  Choose a Farrier Who Understands Horses, Not Just Hooves

A skilled, patient farrier with good horse sense can make all the difference.

Watch how your farrier approaches horses. Look for:

• Quiet body language
• Clear communication
• Willingness to pause if the horse is overwhelmed

If a farrier consistently leaves your horse more anxious than before, it’s okay to reassess. Your horse’s emotional wellbeing matters just as much as their hooves.

A Final Thought From Huds and Toke ™

Our horses aren’t just animals. They’re partners, teammates, and trusted friends. Whether you’re juggling pony club rallies, dressage training, or weekend trail rides, keeping your horse calm and confident is part of caring for them properly.

Supporting calm behaviour with good training, thoughtful handling, and gentle tools like Huds and Toke Calmo’s Horse Calming Cookies can turn farrier visits from a stressful event into just another manageable part of your horse’s routine.

Calmer horses = safer farrier visits = happier humans.

And that’s something worth standing still for.

As always, thank-you for your support.  We hope this helps.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions and please tag us on our socials with photos of your adventures with your pets and ponies.

@Hudsandtoke

#Hudsandtokefamily