Following yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister of modifications to the restrictions to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, the FRC has engaged further with Government in respect of the delivery of Farriery services (trimming and shoeing) to equines.
It is agreed that the FRC interpretation of the Government’s updated guidance is that Registered Farriers may provide Farriery services to equines by arrangement with equine owners, and with the following provisos:
- Any Registered Farrier showing the symptoms of coronavirus should immediately follow the NHS guidance on Covid-19 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and must not practise farriery under any circumstances.
- Registered Farriers are to rigorously comply with the following:
- Wash Hands: Wash their hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, and between every consultation; clean their tools and equipment between every consultation.
- Cover Face: Cover their face in enclosed spaces including, where appropriate, at consultations. Where Registered Farriers use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including face masks, this should be disposed of in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and otherwise responsibly.
- Make Space: Keep at least 2m apart from all other persons, or 1m if wearing a face mask while at consultations and at all other times.
- If challenged by the Police or other law enforcement agency Registered Farriers should present their registration card and draw attention to this notice. Where necessary Police Officers or other Law Enforcement Agencies should be asked to contact the Farriers Registration Council.
- Equine owners and Registered Farriers should be aware that some regions of Great Britain have local restrictions in place, and those living or working in those regions must be aware of that local guidance. Details of the restrictions may be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-restrictions-areas-with-an-outbreak-of-coronavirus-covid-19
- Equine owners are advised to make appointments with Registered Farriers to meet the needs of their equines; when making appointments equine owners should declare any equine welfare concerns, and – given current circumstances – equine owners are asked to be patient when seeking appointments.
Equine owners and farriers are asked to note that this updated advice is interim and may need to be adjusted in future in light of events relating to the Coronavirus pandemic. Please regularly check back to the FRC website and the Covid-19 page on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Latest Government Guidance on Covid-19 guidance and support, as at 23 September 2020, may be found at Latest Government Guidance