F.A.Qs

Is the deposit refundable?

Unfortunately, the deposit for a course is not refundable.  There is a waiting list for most courses and if people drop out it can be very very difficult to organize and contact people on short notice, especially since we have quite a few international students. For everything to operate smoothly, we need some level of commitment. 

What do I need to bring to school?

You will need all of the tools and equipment described in the catalog. If you are staying in the bunkhouse, treat it like a furnished apartment. Bring bedding, towels, toiletries, food, and maybe some dishes and utensils.

What is in the bunkhouse concerning food?

There are refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, and kitchen sinks. There have been numerous dishes and cooking utensils provided, but these have a tendency to change from class to class, so you may want to bring some of these items with you.

Is there a TV in the bunkhouse?

No, and for good reason. The occasional student that has brought a TV to school has caused those classes to have a much lower graduation percentage. You won’t have time for a TV, and when there is a TV here, some people make time for it. This takes away from the time you should be spending studying or forging.

How many horses will we be doing?

We like to do just over one horse per student per day. There are some days that you will have to do more, and some days you will do less. The average student will do right around 70 horses in 12 weeks.

Will I be shoeing cadaver feet?

In most courses, you will shoe one dead foot in the first week, and then you will dissect that foot. Other than that, you will be working on live horses. The market for shoeing dead horses is too small for us to spend a lot of timing teaching you to shoe dead feet.

How do I get Financial Aid?

We are not a Title-IV school and we do not get financial aid like traditional colleges. No Pell Grants, FASFA, etc. We do not participate in any type of government funding, whether that is VA, Voc Rehab, WIA, etc. Students that need funding will need to talk to their own bank about the possibility of getting a loan.

Can I get a part-time job while in school?

HHS is not like college where you will only be in school for 12 to 18 hours per week. You will have a full-time job to stay caught up in school, and you will spend most of your free time in the forge or studying. The average student will dedicate around 65 hours per week to learning how to shoe, so there is not much time for a part-time job. Since 1992, I have had 2 students that were able to have a night job and still graduate.

Are the classes taught by Chris, Cody, and Kelly?

You are coming here to be taught by the Gregory family, and they take that responsibility very seriously. As such, Chris and Cody keep their clinic schedule light in the school season, and are here for the majority of your class. You will spend all of your time learning from the Gregory family, who represent over 80 years of farriery experience. This school is a family run school all the way. Cody married Kirsty in 2013, and she is a Certified Farrier that helps with the scchool. Jacquelyn Gregory returned from college in 2015 and married Cameron Whetten, a student that came from a ranch in Mexico. Cameron and Jacquelyn Whetten both shoe horses and they help with the school as well when needed.

Is the forge open on weekends?

The shop and forges are open 24/7 to students while they are in school. Not many schools do this since it such an expensive thing to do, but it makes for great learning opportunities for you.

Do we forge with coke or gas?

The staff at HHS feels that part of becoming a great farrier is getting as much exposure as possible. With that in mind, most shoeing is done in propane forges, and most of the projects are done in the coke forges.

Can I bring my horse?

The school sits on 10 acres, and there have been instances where students have brought their own horse. HHS and the Gregorys accept no liability for anyone who wishes to bring a horse, and there is a $75 per month charge per horse. Call to coordinate bringing horses with you.

Can I bring my pet?

We do love our dogs and they are around all the time. However, in a bunkhouse situation, this is not a good place to have a pet. Unfortunately, they are not allowed.

What about staying in a house in town?

The bunkhouse is available for free, so there is no discount for staying in town. If you would like assistance with finding housing in town, please contact HHS. This is the best option if you want to bring your dog or cat.

Can I bring a camper?

There are two RV pads with full hook ups, which are assigned first come first served. There is a charge of $100 per week for the additional electricity. There is also an RV park less than 2 miles away that has wifi and sewer hookups, should space become full onsite.

Do I have to have a vehicle?

No, there are a number of students that attend every year without a vehicle. It is easier if you do have one, but not absolutely necessary.

Are there laundry facilities available at school?

No, students have to do their laundry in town at the laundromat. One of the reasons having a vehicle is easier.

I only want to shoe my own horses.

That is a great goal, and we can help you get there. However, when it comes to our own horses, we want them to have the best that we can provide. Thinking about that, if you are good enough to shoe your own horses, you should be good enough to shoe any horse. Compare this to human dentistry. You don’t really want to sit in the chair of a dentist that is just good enough to do his kid’s teeth. You want one that is good enough to work on anyone’s teeth.