Help Us To Help You

Help Us To Help You

Getting the most from your Natural Balance Farrier in Kent

At Equine Foot Protection Ltd we believe in offering a service of the highest standard and in order that we can achieve the best possible results for you and your horse and a good working relationship we ask for your cooperation in certain areas. We operate under the Farriers Registration Council guidelines for farriers and owners. The copy from their leaflet is reproduced below.

Clean, Dry & Safe

Horses should be ready and waiting to be shod / trimmed in a safe, secure, well lit and level area. Our professional policy and insurance coverage preclude shoeing / trimming if your horses legs are wet and or dirty so please ensure that your horse is brought in from the field in sufficient time for washed legs to be thoroughly dry before your appointment time. A competent handler should be available to hold the horse throughout our visit. Whilst we are happy to offer advice in this area and cooperate with your vet if your horse requires sedation, please remember that we are there to shoe and or trim your horse and not to teach it to stand in a mannerly fashion - that bit is one of your responsibilities.

Appointments

We operate a pre-arranged appointments schedule. At the end of our visit we will book your next appointment. If you need to change your appointment I would prefer that you don't text me as invariably I am either shoeing or driving. Please phone and leave me a clear message, including your full name and phone number, your horses name and location and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Sometimes delays are inevitable and whilst I do my best to minimise them, heavy traffic and other unforeseen problems sometimes mean I run late. Your patience is appreciated-I will get to you as soon as I can but if I am over-running by more than 45 minutes I will make every effort to phone you with an ETA.



Farriers Registration Council Leaflet Welfare: Your Horse and Your Farrier A Guide to Responsibilities

The Farriers Registration Council
Sefton House, Adam Court, Newark Road, Peterborough PE1 5PP

Telephone 01733 319911


Owners Responsibilities

Footcare and farriery are an essential part of the routine care of a horse. Without this regular maintenance, whether shoeing, or trimming, a horse may not be able to lead a healthy life and its welfare may be jeopardised.

Farriers are qualified professionals, regulated by law by the Farriers Registration Council and are expected to abide by a Guide to Professional Conduct.

However, they cannot give a good service without assistance. Clients, horse owners and carers should help their farriers by providing the following:

  • A clean, dry with good light and non-slip surface
  • A secure safe ring to which the horse can be tied with a suitable breakable tie
  • Protection from rain, wind and bad weather
  • A properly fitted sound head collar and or halter with a good rope of adequate length
  • Competent assistance on hand should the farrier require it
  • The client also needs to ensure that the shoeing area is safe for horse and farrier
Just as important as the physical surroundings is the nature and temperament of the horse. With the correct, gentle, regular and reassuring handing from a young age the horse will trust the farrier and be unconcerned by the shoeing process.

Clients should talk to their farrier about any problems to ensure that:

  • The horse is used to being handled
  • If appropriate, a companion animal is close by
  • They discuss and agree with the farrier on the management of the horse if it becomes unruly. This may require veterinary assistance

Health & Safety for All

If a horse is unruly the farrier has a right to decline to shoe it or to discontinue if he or she considers it would be dangerous to do so. A farrier normally only uses the voice to control an animal but an owner should appreciate that as a last resort other action may be required in the interests of health and safety, particularly in life threatening situations.


Farrier's Responsibilities

For their part Farriers are expected to:

  • Treat all horses humanely, with respect, and with welfare as the primary consideration
  • Make proper arrangements for the provision of relief (for example holiday leave and extended periods of absence) and emergency cover
  • Maintain proper standards in all equipment, including mobile forges and business premises
The provision of farrier services creates a legal relationship with the client under which farriers should:

  • Ensure that clear information is provided about practice and contract arrangements
  • Respond to client's enquiries within a reasonable time scale
  • Take all reasonable care in using their professional skills
  • Keep their skills and knowledge up to date by undertaking regular Continued Professional Development (CPD)
  • Not attend (shoe or trim) any animal in the absence of the client, or a person who take responsibility for the horse in the client's absence, without prior arrangements
  • Keep within their own areas of competence save for the requirement to provide emergency first aid
  • Advise clients when a second opinion or further professional advice is required
  • Work in conjunction with a veterinary surgeon's advice if appropriate
  • Ensure that all their staff are properly trained and supervised where appropriate
  • Recognise that the client has freedom of choice

The Farriers Registration Council was Established by the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, as amended, to administer the Register of Farriers.

Under the Act only Registered Farriers, Approved Farriery Apprentices or Persons attending an Approved Farriery Training course, Veterinary Surgeons or trainee vets working under supervision may legally practice Farriery.

For further details please contact the Council
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