Coverage and timing
Ask whether they come to your county, how often they are already in the area, and what the trip fee is if you are off their loop. A name on a state list is not the same as a person who will pull into your road on a Thursday.
Ask what interval they would start with, and whether they shoe, trim, or both. If you want a barefoot trim only, say that before they schedule a full set of shoes.
The horse in front of them
Describe the horse: age, job, last time it was done, and any foot they should know about. Ask how they handle a horse that will not stand. Their answer tells you whether this is a fit.
Ask what a reset costs versus new shoes, and what happens if they arrive and the horse is lame. You want that conversation before the invoice.
References and credentials
Ask for a barn or two nearby you can call. A farrier other horse owners in the county will talk about is worth more than a badge in a photo.
If they name a certification, treat it as a claim until you confirm it. This directory labels certifications as self-reported for that reason. We do not copy a membership roll, and we do not verify letters after a name.
How to reach them later
Ask how to get them if a shoe is lost or a nail is hot. Some farriers have a clear after-visit rule. Some are on the road with no signal. Know which one you are hiring.
Then book, prepare the aisle, and write down what they did. The relationship is the schedule you both keep, not a single good trim.