Notes on Farriery and the Farriers Registration Council
| What is Farriery? Farriery, or the shoeing of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, is an ancient craft. It is defined in the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 as ‘any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot'. A Farrier is a skilled craftsperson with a sound knowledge of both the theory and practice of the craft. |  |
The Farriers Registration Council
The Farriers Registration Council came into existence with the passing by Parliament of the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. Its role is to register persons engaged in farriery and the shoeing of horses. The Council is authorised to appoint a Registrar to maintain this Register; to approve courses of instruction and examinations in farriery; to investigate offences, and ensure adequate standards of competence and conduct among those engaged in the shoeing of horses.
The Farriers (Registration) Acts
The Acts, of 1975 and 1977, were introduced to prevent and avoid suffering by and cruelty to horses arising from the shoeing of horses by unskilled persons; to promote the proper shoeing of horses; to promote the training of farriers and shoeing smiths; and to prohibit the shoeing of horses by unqualified persons.
The Acts came fully into effect in England and Wales in 1980 and in Scotland, excluding the Highlands and Islands, in 1981. The Acts do not apply in Northern Ireland. From 30 March 2007 the Highland Region and Islands of Scotland are also covered by Section 16 of the Act and hence the Act is now fully in force in all areas of Great Britain.
The Register of Farriers
There are about 2,600 Registered Farriers. Some qualified by virtue of their experience before the Acts were brought into force, but most have undertaken an approved apprenticeship and passed the Diploma Examination of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. A few others are registered by virtue of holding an overseas qualification that has been officially approved by the FRC.
A fee is paid each year to remain on the register. The money from this is used to maintain the Register; to follow up cases of unregistered individuals practising farriery; to investigate cases of alleged professional misconduct by farriers; and to promote good relations between farriers, veterinary surgeons and horse-owners.
Registered Farriers
You can tell a Registered Farrier by the badge on the windscreen of his vehicle and his personal registration card, both of which are reissued each year and are clearly marked with the year of validity. If you have any doubts or if you have difficulty finding a Registered Farrier you can get an up to date list for your Post Code area by contacting the Farriers Registration Council. The standard fee for this service is currently £2.
The Complaints Procedure
If you are unhappy in any way with the work carried out by your farrier you should discuss it with him or her and if necessary your vet. Formal complaints regarding professional misconduct should be addressed to the Farriers Registration Council. Initial telephone calls regarding the procedures will be treated completely confidentially. If you do wish to proceed with a formal complaint then please bear in mind that you must be able to provide supporting evidence, which you are urged to obtain as soon as you become aware of a possible problem.
Serious Professional Misconduct
All documentation concerning formal complaints is considered by the Council's Investigating Committee. This Committee decides whether or not there may be a case of serious professional misconduct to answer and, if so, if the evidence is sufficient to justify the case going forward to the Disciplinary Committee.
The procedures of the Disciplinary Committee closely follow those of a Court of Law. Proceedings are open to the public, and witnesses are called and may be cross-examined on oath. In any case, where the allegation is found to be proved, and the Committee consider it to be serious misconduct in a professional respect the Committee has the power to remove or suspend a farrier's name from the Register, make no direction with respect to the Farrier or postpone judgement.
The Disciplinary Committee has no power to order a fine nor to order the payment of compensation or costs.
Further details regarding the Farriers Registration Council can be obtained from:
The Registrar, The Farriers Registration Council,
Sefton House, Adam Court, Newark Road, Peterborough PE1 5PP.
Tel: 01733 319911 Fax: 01733 319910.
Email: frc@farrier-reg.gov.uk
Thank you to the Farriers Registration Council for supplying this information.
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Added on: 20/11/07.
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