Farriery and the Horse
1975 Farriers Registration Act
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 Farriers 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.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) shall have the general function of securing adequate standards of competence and conduct among persons engaged in the shoeing of horses (hereinafter referred to as “Farriers”) and shall promote, encourage and advance the art and science of farriery and education in connection with the said art and science.
(1) There shall be established a body called the Farriers Registration Council (hereinafter referred to as "the Council") which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have the general function of carrying out the powers and duties conferred upon it by this Act.
(2) The provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect for determining the constitution and powers of the Council and for regulating its proceedings.
In order to clarify the roles of the main governing bodies in modern farriery in Great Britain, (the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the Farriers Registration Council and The British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association) - it is useful to consider their separate remits.
A Who's Who of UK Farriery
This leaflet aims to clarify the roles of certain organisations involved in farriery. You may download a PDF version of this leaflet using the buttons in the top right corner.
Steven Wilson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers:
"As the UK's head of profession for farriery, we are proud to publish this new leaflet, which has been produced by our Craft Committee in partnership with the FRC and BFBA to explain how the three organisations serve farriery in different ways but work to promote the welfare of the horse and maintain the high standards of UK farriers and farriery."
David Hall, Chair of The Farriers Registration Council:
"The Council is the regulator for the profession of farriery, established by primary legislation our responsibility is to safeguard the public’s interest; this includes the interests of the horse, its owner and those of the public at large. The Council is delighted to contribute to the leaflet which explains how each organisation is committed to the welfare of horses."
British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association President Huw Dyer:
"The BFBA were delighted to be invited to contribute towards the production of this leaflet, which quite clearly defines the individual role of each farriery organisation. We work independently but come together for the mutual benefit of the horse whilst ensuring our standards are amongst the best in the world."