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Farrier

Regulators
  • Farriers Registration Council
Nations
  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
Sectors
  • Other

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Farriers Registration Council
Address

14 Swan Court
Forder Way
Cygnet Park
Hampton
Peterborough
PE7 8GX

Email address
frc@farrier-reg.gov.uk
Phone number
+44 (0)1733 319911

Regulation

Regulation summary

A farrier is a skilled professional with a comprehensive knowledge of the theory and practice of the craft. A farrier is capable of trimming and balancing the equine hoof, and of shoeing all types of equine feet, whether normal or defective, of making shoes to suit all types of equines and working conditions, and of devising corrective measures to compensate for faulty limb action. Farriery is mentally and physically challenging work and is practiced on equines, some of which may be fractious. Shoes may be made from metal and also from other modern materials such as plastics and resins.

It is unlawful for anyone other than a Registered Farrier, Approved Farriery Apprentice or person undergoing approved farriery training, veterinary surgeon or practitioner, trainee veterinarian (working under supervision) or a person rendering first aid to a horse in an emergency, to carry out farriery in Great Britain.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

Farriery is defined 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."

Only Registered Farriers, Enrolled Farriery Apprentices or persons attending a Council approved training course, Veterinary Surgeons, Trainee Veterinary Surgeons working under the supervision of a Veterinary Surgeon or Registered Farrier or Persons rendering first-aid in case of emergency to a horse may legally practice farriery within GB. It is a criminal offence, with a fine of up to £1,000 and costs, for anyone other than those listed above to carry out farriery. It is also a criminal offence for anyone other than a Registered Farrier to describe themselves as a farrier.

Protected titles

Registered Farrier, Farrier, Shoeing Smith


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

The profession of farriery is regulated in England, Wales and Scotland by the Farriers Registration Council (FRC).

Council’s prescribed course of training for registration purposes under section 7(1)(b) of the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, is an Apprenticeship in Farriery, including periods of block release college training, on the job training with an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) and completion of the End Point Assessment (EPA).

Professionals from other UK nations

Routes to recognition within the UK

Professional farriers from outside GB, but within the UK with an unrecognised qualification and professional experience may be eligible to register via the Council’s overseas application procedures.

More about recognition within the UK
https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/registration

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

Farriers from outside GB, who hold professional experience, a professional farriery qualification and who can demonstrate that they meet the minimum English Language competencies required for registration are eligible to apply for registration via the FRC's 'Applications for Registration by Overseas Farriers' route.

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/overseas-applications

Registration

Registration requirements

Registration within GB is with the Farriers Registration Council who maintain the Register of Farriers.

Once registered, all Registered Farriers are required to:
• pay an annual Retention Fee to maintain their registration
• to submit an annual return of any criminal convictions or police
cautions that are not deemed as spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• to hold suitable Professional (Business) Indemnity Insurance to cover their professional activities
• to carry out Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and to continue their professional education by keeping up to date with the developments in farriery, and to keep their knowledge and skills up to date throughout their working life


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, as amended

Website link to legislation
https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.