The Worshipful
Company of Farriers

Promoting the welfare of the horse since 1356

Who’s Who In UK Farriery



A requirement for clarity about who does what in UK farriery has led to the production of a new leaflet that sets out the roles of the three organisations involved.

LONDON, MAY 2020

New guidance – ‘A Who’s Who in UK Farriery’ – has been developed through collaboration between the three organisations who lead the profession of farriery in the UK.

The Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF), the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) and the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association (BFBA) have distinct roles and responsibilities with regard to maintaining high standards of farriery and the welfare of the horse.

​​​​​​​The leaflet is available as a PDF e-brochure: https://www.wcf.org.uk/farriery-and-the-horse.

The Worshipful Company of Farriers
The WCF is the head of profession for UK farriery, safeguarding standards of farriery through its examinations. The principle entry point to the profession in the UK is the Diploma of The Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF), which is also offered in some other countries.

A City of London Livery Company, the WCF has been involved with training farriers since 1356 and its higher examinations – the Associateship (AWCF) and Fellowship (FWCF) – are highly regarded worldwide. The WCF also awards prizes for excellence in farriery at horse shows and promotes best practice in shoeing. It provides opportunities for senior veterinary students to liaise with our top farriers to encourage mutual understanding of each’s role.

The Farriers Registration Council
The FRC is the national regulatory body for farriery; the Council maintains a register of farriers who may practise farriery in Great Britain.  In addition the Council approves courses of training, examinations and training establishments, and conducts investigating and disciplinary functions on a statutory basis and in response to complaints and notifications.

The British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association
The BFBA is the membership organisation that represents farriers’ and blacksmiths’ interests, being the publisher of Forge magazine and supporting its members throughout their careers. Its national network of branches hosts educational events, competitions and social get togethers, but when farriers need someone by their side, it’s the association they turn to. Members benefit from a range of discounts on products and services, and they receive the continuing professional development magazine Forge Knowledge.

Steven Wilson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers said:
“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. Publication of the leaflet coincides with the launch of our new website www.wcf.org.uk, from where it can now be downloaded.”

David Hall, Chair of The Farriers Registration Council said:
“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 said:
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.”

Notes for Editors
The WCF, the FRC and the BFBA collaborate on certain matters, such as continuing professional development (CPD).
The three colleges that train farriers in England are:​​​​​​
Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College (Holme Lacy Campus), www.hlcollege.ac.uk
Myerscough College (near Preston, Lancashire), www.myerscough.ac.uk
Warwickshire Group of Colleges (Moreton Morrell Campus), www.wcg.ac.uk