FARRIERY

It is a well recognised saying‘no foot no horse’. Caring for your horse’s feet and hooves and ensuring that he is attended to regularly by your farrier will safeguard his long term soundness.

How should I prepare my horse for the farrier?

  • In order for him to be well trimmed and shod he must be well behaved
  • Your farrier will need an area to work that is safe, well lit, and dry
  • A shortage of farriers means that they are busy people and an early booking is recommended so that your horse’s appointment is at the correct time
  • Hooves should be picked out, clean and not oiled prior to the farrier’s visit
  • Somebody competent to hold the horse will be required

What should I expect of a good farrier?

  • Your farrier should turn up on time or contact you if delayed
  • He should treat you and your horse with respect
  • He should advise you on hoof problems and the type of shoes best suited to your horse’s needs in relation to the work you wish him to do
  • He should advise you when veterinary treatment or a specialist farrier is needed
  • He should shoe or trim your horse competently

What constitutes a well shod horse?

  • Balanced feet
  • Shoes that fit (neither too long nor too short)
  • The correct weight and section of metal for your horse and its uses
  • Smooth and regular clenches at about a third of the way up the hoof wall
  • The hoof wall finished without rough rasp marks
  • Clips set into the hoof wall
  • A trimmed frog
  • Shod at maximum intervals of 6-8 weeks

How can I make sure that my farrier is properly qualified?

Farriers must be examined and accredited by the Worshipful Company of Farriers. This is an ancient guild founded in 1356. The current examination format has been in existence since 1890 but it is only since 1980 that all new farriers must have been examined and passed.

There are three levels of farriers:

  1. Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF) formerly R.S.S.
  1. Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (AWCF) formerly A.F.C.L. Farriers holding this qualification have reached a high technical level and are able to shoe for abnormal conditions and lamenesses of the foot.
  1. Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF). Farriers holding this qualification have passed the DipWCF and the AWCF and have also been examined on their ability to lecture and write about farriery.

You should not use an unregistered person to shoe your horse. The Farriers’ Registration Council can be contacted at Sefton House, Adam Court, Newark Road, Peterborough Tel: 01733 319911 Fax: 01733 319910 and they will confirm that your farrier is registered and will supply you with a list of all registered farriers in your area. They are also the body to whom you can complain if you are unhappy with your farrier.

The Acorns Equine Clinic, Pleshey, CHELMSFORD, Essex. CM3 1HU.

Telephone (01245) 231151, Fax. (01245) 231601.