Ensure your horse is comfortable
It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that their horse is used to having its legs held so that trimming and shoeing can be carried out without distressing the horse, or putting the farrier’s safety at risk. In some cases, it may be worth considering having a companion horse close by (but not so close as to interfere) as this may provide reassurance.
Dry hooves
Horse owners should ensure that the horse is brought in from the field in advance of the appointment and that its feet and legs are clean and dry; a dry hoof is safer for the farrier to work on.
Safety collar/halter
Horses should wear a sound properly fitted head collar or halter with a good rope of adequate length. The horse should be tied to a secure safe ring using a suitable breakable tie made from split twine – this will break easily in the event of the horse panicking.
Working area
Owners should provide their farrier with a working area that is safe for the horse and the people attending to it. The area should be clean, dry and level with good light and a non-slip surface and the area should ideally have protection from wind and rain.
Assistance
There may be circumstances where the farrier requires assistance so it is important to ensure that any persons attending the farrier that day are competent in horse handling.
Avoid distractions
Try to avoid any unwelcome distractions; consider securing dogs away from where the farrier is working, and turning mobile phones to silent while work is in progress.
Find out more
Read A guide to getting the best from your farrier.