A farrier mileage log records the driving that actually happened and why. It helps you review route costs and prepare records for a tax professional. A full appointment calendar or a map's suggested route is not a substitute for recording actual trips.
This guide covers general recordkeeping with links to US federal guidance. It does not decide which of your journeys are deductible. Other countries and local taxes have different rules.
What to record
IRS Publication 463 describes vehicle records covering business mileage for each use, dates, business purpose, destination, and total annual mileage. Keep records close to the time of travel and supporting documents where required. See Publication 463: recordkeeping.
For a practical working log, use these fields:
- Date and vehicle identifier when you use more than one vehicle.
- Start and end locations, described clearly enough to recognize the trip.
- Start and end odometer readings, or another reliable record of actual distance.
- Distance and unit: miles or kilometers, used consistently.
- Specific purpose, such as the client visit or supply collection.
- A separate personal-trip entry or other clear separation where needed.
Use the free farrier mileage log to enter trips and print or save a copy. It is a recordkeeping tool, not an IRS form or a determination of deductible mileage.
A fictional day in the log
Illustrative odometer example, in miles:
- Cedar Barn to Oak Barn: 12,500 to 12,518 = 18 miles. Purpose: scheduled client visit at Oak Barn.
- Oak Barn to the feed supplier: 12,518 to 12,540 = 22 miles. Purpose: collect the documented business order.
- A separate personal journey: 12,540 to 12,546 = 6 miles. Mark it personal, rather than including it in the business trip total.
The log contains 46 miles of driving, with 40 miles recorded for the two stated business purposes and 6 personal miles. That classification is a record of the example's stated purposes, not an automatic conclusion about tax deductibility. If a journey mixes purposes or contains a detour, record the facts rather than labeling the whole trip business.
Do not assume every drive from home qualifies
IRS rules generally exclude commuting, while exceptions depend on circumstances such as a qualifying home office or temporary workplace. Driving with tools does not by itself change commuting into deductible business travel. Read Publication 463, chapter 4 and ask your tax professional how the rules apply to your first and last stops.
A mileage rate is not a universal setting
The standard-mileage and actual-expense methods have eligibility rules. Rates can change within a tax year. Use the IRS standard mileage rates page for the date of travel and confirm the method with your adviser before calculating a deduction.
Review and save the record
Check totals, missing purposes, duplicate trips, and unexplained odometer gaps. Preserve actual records instead of filling gaps with a map estimate presented as observed mileage. Save a dated copy where you can recover it, and ask your adviser which supporting records and retention period apply.
Hoofy includes mileage records alongside farrier business tools. For a wider routine, see bookkeeping basics and route planning. Log driving while safely parked.