The Worshipful Company of Farriers is possibly the oldest Equine welfare organisation in the world first being formed in the City of London in 1356 to promote good shoeing and equine welfare.
Your Farrier
Your Farrier will have spent four years as an apprentice learning his/her craft, at the end of which they pass an assessment and register with the Farriers Registration Council. All farriers in the UK must be registered to practice their profession and must regularly attend continuing professional development courses or workshops to maintain their skill level. Contact details for the Farriers Registration Council are available on this page.
Good shoeing is not just about having four shoes on you horse or pony it’s about co-operation between all those involved in the shoeing process; the farrier, the owner and most importantly the horse. Occasionally, if necessary, another member of your horse’s “team” is the veterinary surgeon. All should work together for the benefit of your horse or pony.
The trimming or shoeing process
The farrier should speak to you, the owner, before starting the shoeing or trimming process to learn how the horse has been and if there are any issues. He/she should then look at the horse before starting, to see how the horse stands and if there are any injuries, this is called a static assessment. The Farrier will then watch the horse move, to understand what the horse requires and to ensure the horse is not lame, which is called the dynamic assessment. The farrier will then discuss with you the most appropriate shoe for your horse and the work that it is doing. There are various types of shoes available including handmade, machine made and those made from modern materials, plastics and boots etc. The chosen option should be discussed with your farrier. When shoeing or trimming your horse or pony the farrier is applying his/her knowledge and skill to achieve optimum performance so you, the owner, can enjoy a trouble-free time with your horse.
What can you, the owner, do to help your farrier
There are a few simple things that you, the owner, can do to help your farrier when he/she attends your stable. The more you can do to help your farrier, the easier the shoeing process will be.
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If you require any additional farriery services on the day of your appointment let the farrier know in advance. This will allow him/her to adjust their diary and inform other customers that they may be later than their original appointment.
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Ensure there is a safe, clear, dry, level and well-lit covered area for the Farrier to work.
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Keep other activities within stable yard near to where your farrier is working to the minimum. This will help to avoid the horse being startled and possible injury to either the horse or farrier.
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Let your farrier know if your horse has an issue with shoeing. How your horse behaves when being shod is a very important piece of information for the farrier’s safety and the wellbeing of the horse.
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Have you horse in the stable or pen and settled ready for the farrier, with yourself or a competent handler present.
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Make sure your horse’s legs and feet are clean and dry.
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Do not oil your horse’s feet before the farrier arrives.
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Do not give you horse a hay net etc, unless the farrier feels it will help with the shoeing process.
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It will help both yourself and the farrier if you book your next appointment once you farrier has finished.
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Farriers have a business to run so they appreciate prompt payment.
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Regularly pick out your horses/ponies’ feet and perhaps just gently tap the shoes with the hoof pick. It will get your horse used to picking ups its feet and the noise of something metal hitting the shoe.
All horses’ feet need regular attention as hoof growth varies throughout the year. We strongly advise that the shoes are removed, and the feet trimmed back every four to six weeks even if the shoes are not worn out. Horses not in work, or in light work, may have their shoes removed and the feet trimmed accordingly. Farriers are trained to trim horses in work without shoes. The trim will vary depending on the type of horse or pony and the work that it is doing. Regular hoof trimming enhances limb balance helps the comfort of the equine and avoids lameness due to overgrown hoof.
Anti slip devices
With such a variety of surfaces we expect our equines to work on, it may be necessary for some type of anti-slip device to be added to the shoe to help achieve optimum grip. These can be nails, pins or studs. To achieve the best results for your horse, speak to your farrier.
Signs of a well shod horse, what you the owner should see.
Just as horses and ponies come in all shapes and sizes, so do horseshoes and therefore shoeing must vary according to the type of horse and the work it does. However, good farriery practice has some basic requirements:
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When shod the horse should be comfortable and able to move naturally, and freely. A well shod horse allows this to happen and helps the horse or pony to achieve optimum performance.
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Feet should be level, (flat), with correct limb alignment for optimum movement There should be no loss of the foot bearing surface? If you are unsure ask your farrier who will explain what to look for?
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Shoes should be of the correct weight and size for the horse or pony shaped to fit the foot and appropriate for the horse or ponies breed and type of work.
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Once fitted, the shoe, should appear like an extension of the foot, with no gaps between the foot and the shoe. The nails, driven into sound hoof wall, should emerge no more than a third of the way up and be in the front half of the foot. Nails should not be further back than the widest part of the foot.
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Clenches should be strong turned down and smooth.
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The nails should fit the nail holes so that they are level with the surface of the shoe.
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Depending on the type of horse, pony and its working environment some shoes may fit the foot exactly others may extend beyond the heels of the foot by two or three millimetres. If you are unsure ask your farrier.
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The owner is responsible for day-to-day foot care
Farriery, the law and you
The Farriers (Registration) Acts of 1975 and 1977 require anyone shoeing horses to register each year with the Farriers Registration Council. (FRC).
For further information contact the FRC at:
14 Swan Court, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX
Tel: 01733 319911
Email: frc@farrier-reg.gov.uk
All Farrier’s registrations must be renewed annually, this includes people who shoe their own horses. Horse owners should make sure their farrier has a current registration card.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers
The Worshipful Company of Farriers also conducts higher examinations for Farriers already qualified, registered and in practice, as proof of their enhanced competence. These are searching examinations requiring a very high standard of specialist knowledge and practical skills. These post- graduate examinations are the Associateship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (AWCF), and the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF).
A Farrier should not be confused with a Blacksmith.
A Farrier has completed a four-year apprenticeship, passed an assessment and must be registered with the FRC.
A Blacksmith normally works with iron and cannot legally shoes horses or ponies unless trained as a farrier and is registered with the FRC.
The Well Shod Horse
All farriers in the UK must be registered to practice their profession
