The Farriers Registration Council (FRC) is contacting equestrian establishments to raise awareness of unlawful farriery and encourage yard owners to check the registration status of those providing farriery services to horses on their premises.
The letters are intended to help establishments identify potentially unlawful farriery operating in their area and remind yard owners of the importance of ensuring that anyone attending their premises to shoe horses is appropriately registered.
For livery yards, riding schools, competition centres, stud farms and other equestrian businesses, this is an important reminder that responsibility for checking professional credentials should not be overlooked.
Farriery is a regulated profession in Great Britain, governed by the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. The legislation was introduced to protect horses from suffering and injury caused by unskilled shoeing and to ensure that those undertaking farriery work meet the necessary standards of competence.
Under the Act, it is a criminal offence for an unregistered person to carry out farriery, including shoeing their own horses. There are specific exemptions for approved apprentices and training arrangements, veterinary professionals and emergency first aid.
Why Are Yard Owners Being Contacted?
Equestrian establishments are often a convenient point of contact for farriers working with multiple horses and clients. A farrier may regularly visit a yard to attend to several horses, sometimes belonging to different owners.
The FRC’s approach is intended to raise awareness among these establishments and encourage them to take a proactive approach to checking the credentials of those providing farriery services on their premises.
While horse owners will usually select and arrange their own farrier, yard owners can play an important role in promoting good practice by knowing who is attending their premises and ensuring that appropriate checks are carried out.
It is not simply a question of whether somebody is experienced, has been shoeing horses for years or comes recommended by another horse owner. Registration is a legal requirement, and professional experience alone does not provide an exemption.
How Can You Check Whether A Farrier Is Registered?
The FRC makes checking registration relatively straightforward. There are two main ways to establish whether someone is registered.
1. Ask to see their registration card
Registered farriers are issued with an annual registration card following payment of their annual retention fee. The card confirms their name and year of validity.
Yard owners can ask to see this card when a farrier first attends their premises, or when updating their records.
2. Use the FRC’s Find A Farrier Register
The FRC website has an online search facility which allows users to check whether an individual is registered.
You can search by:
- Farrier’s name or surname.
- Postcode.
- Town or geographical location.
The register also allows users to identify Approved Training Farriers.
Search the FRC Find a Farrier Register.
If you are unable to find someone or would prefer to check directly, the FRC can also be contacted by telephone on 01733 319911.
What About Apprentices And Assistants?
This is another area where it is important to understand the rules.
Farriery apprentices are permitted to undertake practical training as part of an approved training programme, but this does not mean that anyone describing themselves as an apprentice or assistant can legally undertake farriery work.
Approved apprentices must be enrolled within the recognised training arrangements, and their work must comply with the applicable supervision requirements.
If a farrier regularly attends your yard with an assistant or apprentice who is also undertaking practical farriery work, it is worth understanding their status and ensuring that the appropriate training and registration arrangements are in place.
The FRC provides further information about registration and approved training on its website.
Why Does Registration Matter?
The registration system is not simply an administrative formality. It exists to protect equines and ensure that those undertaking farriery work have the appropriate knowledge, training and competence.
Poorly performed farriery can have serious consequences for horses, including:
- Incorrectly fitted shoes and misplaced nails, potentially causing pain and lameness.
- Poor hoof balance and inappropriate trimming.
- Long-term damage resulting from unskilled or unsuitable farriery.
- Complications arising from inappropriate shoeing materials or techniques.
There can also be implications for horse owners and those responsible for their care. The FRC warns that using an unregistered practitioner may affect insurance cover if a horse is injured or becomes lame as a result of the work. There may also be legal implications where someone knowingly assists unlawful farriery activity.
A Sensible Addition To Yard Management
For yard owners, keeping track of the professionals who regularly attend their premises is good business practice.
Alongside maintaining information about visiting vets, dentists, physiotherapists and other equine professionals, it is sensible to keep details of the farriers attending horses on the yard.
This doesn’t need to become an onerous administrative exercise. A simple record of the farrier’s name, contact details and registration status, checked against the FRC register, can provide a useful reference.
It is also worth making sure that clients understand the importance of using appropriately registered professionals and that any yard policies relating to visiting practitioners are communicated clearly.
If a yard has concerns about someone potentially undertaking unlawful farriery, these can be reported directly to the Farriers Registration Council. The Council investigates allegations where sufficient information is available to pursue an investigation.
Reports can be made through the FRC website or by contacting the Council:
- Telephone: 01733 319911
- Email: frc@farrier-reg.gov.uk
- Website: Farriers Registration Council
Don’t Overlook The Importance Of Professional Registration
With so many different professionals visiting equestrian establishments, it can be easy to assume that everyone attending a yard is appropriately qualified and registered.
However, farriery is a regulated profession, and checking registration is a straightforward way for yard owners and horse owners to help protect the horses in their care.
The FRC’s latest awareness initiative is a useful reminder to review who is attending your premises, check their credentials and encourage clients to do the same.
A quick registration check could help protect equine welfare, support properly qualified professionals and ensure that unlawful farriery has no place on your yard.