About FRC

The Act

The Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 is an Act 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; to provide for the establishment of a Farrier Registration Council to register persons engaged in farriery and the shoeing of horses; to prohibit the shoeing of horses by unqualified persons; and for purposes connected therewith."

Farriery is defined in the Act 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."

This means that "trimming" of itself, i.e. trimming that is not in preparation for the application of a shoe does not fall within the definition.

The Register of Farriers

The Farriers Registration Council is required to maintain a Register of Farriers and to determine who is qualified to register, to make rules with respect to the form and keeping of the register, to approve and supervise courses, qualifications and institutions providing training in farriery, to undertake the preliminary investigation of disciplinary cases through an Investigating Committee and to determine cases through a Disciplinary Committee.

Registered Farriers are regulated by the FRC and are expected to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct.

Registered Farriers are recognised by the FRC as being qualified either by examination and/or training and/or experience to carry out work safely and competently.

Only Registered Farriers, Enrolled Farriery Apprentices or persons undergoing Council approved courses, Veterinary Surgeons or trainee Veterinary Surgeons working under supervision and persons giving first aid in an emergency to a horse may practice farriery legally. For others to do so is a criminal offence which can result in a fine of up to £1,000., legal costs and a criminal record.

The Register of Farriers is a public document; particulars given on the Find a Farrier page of this website provide details of Registered Farriers.