Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 58'500 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 62'400 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 66'300 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 72'500 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 73'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Orthopädische/r Hufschmied/in BP
You forge custom horseshoes to keep horses healthy.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You diagnose hoof problems in horses. You create individual orthopedic shoes for their comfort.
Horse health starts with the hooves. As an Orthopädische/r Hufschmied/in BP, you analyze your client horses' gait. You spot problems early and forge special shoes. You hammer iron, advise owners, and ensure the animals walk pain-free and steadily. Your work combines precise craftsmanship with veterinary knowledge and business responsibility.
FieldMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.554.21.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Orthopädieschuhmacherin. Based on 113 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+20% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 56'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 66'200 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 72'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 67'600 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 72'150 | 17 |
| Berne | CHF 66'300 | 15 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Technology | CHF 71'250 | 20 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 70'980 | 5 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 69'000 | 23 |
| Health care / Social services | CHF 65'000 | 54 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Orthopädische/r Hufschmied/in mit eidg. Fachausweis
- ⏱ 1 Jahr, berufsbegleitend
Official education path
This part-time course lasts one year and prepares you for the federal specialist certificate.
Typical training path
Orthopädische/r Hufschmied/in mit eidg. Fachausweis
Curriculum
- Anatomie, Pferdebeurteilung, Biomechanik, Tierschutzrecht
- Hufbeschlag am Pferd
- Hufbeschlag am Hufpräparat mit orthopädischem und alternativem Hufschutz
- Unternehmensführung, Buchführung, Personalführung
- Marketing und Kommunikation, Präsentationstechnik
Prerequisites
- eidg. Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ) als Hufschmied/in EFZ or an equivalent qualification
- At least 2 years of professional experience with a minimum 60% workload as a farrier at the time of the exam
- Berufsbildner/innen-Kurs
- 1Anatomie, Pferdebeurteilung, Biomechanik, Tierschutzrecht
- 2Hufbeschlag am Pferd
- 3Hufbeschlag am Hufpräparat mit orthopädischem und alternativem Hufschutz
- 4Unternehmensführung, Buchführung, Personalführung
- 5Marketing und Kommunikation, Präsentationstechnik
Where this can lead
After training, you can start your own business or work in large breeding farms and riding centers.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Specialist knowledge
- Manual dexterity
- Animal contact
- Entrepreneurial spirit
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand next to the horse. You check the hoof and mark the nail spots. Then you heat the iron. You shape it with a hammer and attach it directly to the hoof.
- You examine the horse's gait and spot wear and tear early.
- You forge custom orthopedic shoes for specific conditions.
- You heat iron bars, shape them with a hammer, and grind them.
- You attach the warm horseshoes to the hoof with nails or glue.
- You advise owners on alternative protective materials like resin or silicone.
- You handle administrative tasks and schedule regular hoof changes.
- You train apprentices and teach them to handle tools safely.
Working conditions
You usually work outdoors or in a smithy. You are often at riding arenas, ranches, or at private homes.
Where to learn
- AM SuisseSeestrasse 105, 8002 Zürich
Strengths
- Specialist knowledge
- Manual dexterity
- Animal contact
- Entrepreneurial spirit
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Irregular hours
- Independence
- Safety risks
06 · Similar
