HOHHOT, April 8 (Xinhua) -- In the farriery workshop at the Vocational and Technical College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, the crisp clang of a hammer striking a horseshoe fills the air.
Zhao Xu, 33, crouched steadily beside a sport horse, holding up its hind hoof while carefully filing the hoof wall with a rasp. Sparks flew, and the smell of burnt horn mingled with iron dust.
Zhao, a teacher in the college's animal husbandry and veterinary technology department, explained his craft precisely: "A horse's hoof is like a human fingernail, growing about 8 millimeters per month. A farrier is both a 'manicurist' and a 'shoemaker' for horses."
Every four to six weeks, a farrier trims overgrown keratin, shapes the hoof to an optimal angle, and fits it with a horseshoe to ensure the animal's comfort and safety when moving.
His hands moved with practiced ease through the six key steps: removing the old shoe, trimming the hoof, smoothing the sole, adjusting the new shoe, nailing it in place, and clinching the nails.
When the red-hot shoe touches the hoof, a wisp of smoke rises, releasing a distinct, acrid odor. "This is the most technically challenging part," Zhao noted. "Farriery is more than just manual labor -- it integrates anatomy, metallurgy and equine behavioral psychology. A farrier must understand the horse's structure, master metalworking, and read the animal's mood to avoid causing it distress."
The college is one of the few institutions in China that provides systematic farrier training and serves as a key base for equine industry professionals in the country's northwest. In 2010, with approval from the Ministry of Education, it launched the sport horse training and management program, the first higher education major in China focused on modern equestrianism, and a pioneering base integrating hands-on training in horse care, veterinary science, farriery and management.
In 2018, the college established the country's first university polo team. A year later, it launched the national equine industry talent education alliance to build a world-class training hub.
"To cultivate talent that meets industry needs, we have invested in standardized stables, professional training grounds and farriery workshops, introduced high-quality sport horses, and hired experienced experts, farriers and riders as instructors," said Nasenbayar, dean of the college.
In northwest China, the equine sector is entering a golden age of high-quality development. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a core area for the industry, saw explosive growth in 2025, with its total output value reaching 16.95 billion yuan (about 2.46 billion U.S. dollars). The region hosted 107 equestrian events last year, boosting local economies.
Meanwhile, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has blazed a path that integrates tradition with modernity, linking primary, secondary and tertiary industries. In 2025, the Inner Mongolia horse super league helped drive an 18 percent increase in tourism revenue, with the horse industry's comprehensive output value exceeding 2.5 billion yuan.
Nationwide, equestrianism is shifting from a niche pastime to a popular activity, fueled by leisure riding, cultural tourism and competitive events. According to the National Development Plan for China's Horse Industry (2020-2025), jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Sport, China now hosts over 100 national-level equestrian and horse racing events each year, with regional competitions numbering in the thousands.
Growing demand has increased the need for skilled professionals. "Each year, about 100 of our graduates take up jobs at high-end equestrian clubs, professional event agencies, and large tourism ranches in cities like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing," Zhao said.
Li Hao, a 2020 graduate, now works as a farrier and riding coach at an upscale equestrian club in Hong Kong. He said a regular farrier service costs around 1,000 yuan, with custom work for sport horses commanding even higher fees.
Li is responsible for hoof care for more than 20 sport horses and teaches riding to young members. "Children and teenagers make up a large share of today's equestrian consumers," he observed.
For many parents, horse riding improves posture, builds perseverance, fosters social connections, and can even aid in school admissions, making it a multifaceted investment in their children's development. ■
