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Responsibilities

Farrier to Horse

  • Treat all horses humanely, with respect, and with welfare as the primary consideration.

 

  • Make proper arrangements for the provision of relief and emergency cover.

 

  • Maintain proper standards in business premises and equipment.

 

  • I will not cause any horse to suffer by:

    • Carrying out any unnecessary action.

    • Employing excessive restraint or discipline.

    • Failing to advise the need to call a veterinary surgeon when appropriate.

    • Neglect.

 

  • I will not commence working with an animal if it is felt that the conditions (i.e. present temperament of the horse or present condition the horse is kept in) are unfavourable to a successful outcome.

Farrier to Client

  • Ensure that clear information is provided about practice and contact arrangements.

 

  • Respond to clients’ enquiries within a reasonable timescale.

 

  • Take all reasonable care in using my professional skills.

 

  • Keep my skills and knowledge up to date.

 

  • Not attend (shoe or trim) any animal in the absence of the client, or a person who takes responsibility for the horse in the client’s absence, without prior arrangement.

 

  • Keep within my own area 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 where appropriate.

 

  • Recognise that the client has freedom of choice.

 

Professionalism

  • Understand that mutual trust and respect is paramount.

 

  • Maintain client confidentiality.

 

  • Treat the client with respect, and observe professional courtesies.

 

  • Avoid conflict of interest between myself and my client.

 

  • Give due consideration to the client’s concerns and wishes where these conflict with the horse’s welfare.

 

  • Provide fully itemised accounts if requested.

 

  • Provide an adequate period of notice if I do not wish to continue to work for a client for whatever reason.

 

  • I am sometimes asked to catch, tie up and release the horse before or after trimming and shoeing.  Farriers are not required to do so, but if I do accept these additional risks, I will perform them with all due skill and care.

Client to Farrier

  • Plenty of notice in booking and cancelling an appointment.

 

  • A clean, dry standing with good light and a non-slip surface.

 

  • A secure, safe ring to which the horse can be tied.

 

  • Protection from rain, wind and bad weather.

 

  • A properly fitted, sound head collar/halter with a good rope of adequate length.

 

  • Competent assistance.

 

  • The horse is shod or trimmed on a regular basis of 5 – 6 weeks.

 

  • The shoeing area is safe for horse and farrier.

 

  • The horse is used to being handled and, if appropriate, has a companion animal close by.

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