The Farrier
Your Online Reference for Horse Health and Care
Farriers and Blacksmiths - Your Horses Feet...
Your local farrier should offer a full range of services including shoeing, remedial shoeing, trimming and advice on hoof health.
A local farrier who will care for your horses feet and advise you on what you can do to ensure your horse remains fit and healthy.
A well shod horse is a happy horse and you should try to ensure your horses feet are in the best possible condition.
Your farrier is very well qualified and most will readily present their association qualifications.
Your farriers apprentices will often attend your horse and you should understand how they should be supervised and just how you can help your farrier.
Farrier Qualifications:
Diploma 'DipWCF' formerly RSS. The examination taken at the end of a four year apprenticeship. The Diploma is the prescribed examination for admission to the Register of Farriers.
Associateship 'AWCF' formerly AFCL - This examination is for those who already hold the Diploma or RSS and concentrates on therapeutic shoeing and remedial farriery as required by the equine veterinary surgeon in everyday practice.
Fellowship 'FWCF' - This is the highest level of technical competence and the hallmark of a master craftsman.
CMF or Class II. A military farrier qualification equivalent to the DipWCF.
MTF or Class I. A military farrier qualification equivalent to the AWCF.
Farrier Apprentices:
Apprentice farriers must be indentured to an Approved Training Farrier
(ATF) and may practice farriery on behalf of their ATF as they undergo
their apprenticeships. The ATF remains responsible for their supervision
and quality of work until they are eligible for Registration themselves
The Guidelines on Supervision approved by Council in 1995, agreed that they could not impose levels of supervision, but had to rely on the judgement and professionalism of the ATF in ensuring any Apprentice(s) in their employ are given appropriate supervision.
However it was recommended to all ATFs that in the first year, Apprentices can, under 'Direct Supervision', trim, fit, nail and finish.
In the second and third years they should progress from 'Direct' to 'General Supervision' and in their fourth year they should normally progress from 'General Supervision' to 'Under Direction'.
DIRECT SUPERVISION : The ATF is standing over the Apprentice or at least in the same room, forge or horsebox and observing the Apprentice.
GENERAL SUPERVISION : The ATF is nearby, in the same premises and can be located quickly and easily.
UNDER DIRECTION : The ATF is not readily available; the Apprentice is alone
Helping your farrier to help you and your horse:
- Make regular appointments as necessary for foot trimming and shoeing.
- Give your farrier adequate notice when any farriery services are required.
- Always provide a clean dry and well lit place, under cover if possible with a firm level surface to work on.
- Always arrive on time for forge appointments.
- Ensure your horse is settled and prepared with clean, dry legs and feet before the farrier arrives
- Provide some sort of refreshment. A hot cup of tea in winter or a cold drink in summer. They'll always appreciate it.
Make sure your read our Farrier Training page and learn how to train your horse to stand for your farrier.
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