Code of Practice for Equine Hoof Care

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voicesforhorses

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Just passing this on for information:

A code of practice has been issued by the National Equine Welfare Council and some people have contacted us concerned and some very happy. The wording that has caused the reaction is ”Only suitable persons should be allowed to trim horses’ feet. Such persons should be either registered farriers or competent adults with appropriate experience and training.” Although this has sparked off debate between barefoot trimmers and farriers perhaps the important question is how dose this impact on equine welfare? The NEWC say they will be publishing pledges of support for the Code of Practice at the end of this month. We will be publishing all points raised by the equestrian community.

If you would like to read an article on this and take part in a survey please visit:
http://www.voicesforhorses.co.uk/news/re...u-think%3F.html

Thank you
Emma
www.voicesforhorses.co.uk
 
Agree with TripleSandH. If they do not have a registered body, with regular checks for competence, then presumably anyone can do an online course/weekend course and call themselves a competent adult, or even not do any course and designate themselves as one.
 
Sorry RS I looked for a post on this subject but did not see it.

Does anyone have any comments either way about the fact the Code of Practice is open for consultation - yet the chairman of NEWC is quoted as saying he hopes DEFRA will incorporate the code into its welfare code of practice.

Thank you
Emma
www.voicesforhorses.co.uk
 
Hi Emma,

1. Sensible that all CoP's are open to public consultation - a wealth of knowledge out there in the horse world.

2. Chris House, who "hopes Defra will incorporate the code into its welfare code of practice" is chairman of the NEWC's equine hoofcare sub-committee - not Chairman of NEWC.

I'm not sure which Defra welfare code of practice is being referred to - any thoughts?

Seems sensible that the CoP will form part of NEWC's Equine Compendium to be updated this year.
http://www.newc.co.uk/codes/industry.php

I wonder whether competence standards could be reviewed under the action plan associated with the Equine Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain. http://www.equinehealthandwelfarestrategy.co.uk/downloads/
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Emma,

1. Sensible that all CoP's are open to public consultation - a wealth of knowledge out there in the horse world.

2. Chris House, who "hopes Defra will incorporate the code into its welfare code of practice" is chairman of the NEWC's equine hoofcare sub-committee - not Chairman of NEWC.

I'm not sure which Defra welfare code of practice is being referred to - any thoughts?

Seems sensible that the CoP will form part of NEWC's Equine Compendium to be updated this year.
http://www.newc.co.uk/codes/industry.php

I wonder whether competence standards could be reviewed under the action plan associated with the Equine Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain. http://www.equinehealthandwelfarestrategy.co.uk/downloads/

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Totally agree - just not convinced it has been tapped into and why not publish the results not just the support?

2. Yes - sorry for my error thanks for pointing it out

A couple of years ago a joint statement was issued on trimming (not sure of the year - do you know?)

Compared, as far as I can see (ref the last paragraph) this current code of practice is a step down - what do you think?

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE TRIMMING OF HORSES FEET

The preparation of a horse’s foot to receive a shoe is regulated and restricted primarily to registered farriers by the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. Simple trimming and rasping of horses’ feet is allowed by lay persons under the Act to permit maintenance of foals’ and other unshod horses’ feet.

Where more radical trimming and reshaping of horses’ feet is contemplated there is the potential for creating severe lameness. Experience has indicated this is particularly so where such ‘therapy’ is not undertaken by qualified farriers or veterinary surgeons. Incorrect trimming of horses’ hooves over an extended period can also cause lameness. Horses suffering from significant foot disease such as laminitis should in any case be under the care of a veterinary surgeon. This is to ensure that appropriate treatment is carried out and that any necessary medication is prescribed, the prime object being the welfare of the animal concerned.

Both the practice of radical foot trimming by lay persons resulting in significant lameness, and/or failure to provide veterinary attention under these circumstances may engender suffering and consequent criminal proceedings under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 or the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912.

As a result the undersigned bodies recommend that owners should only carry out minor work on feet of a cosmetic or emergency nature and that any significant trimming should be carried out by a registered farrier or a veterinary surgeon, who will have been properly trained and strictly regulated by a code of conduct.


British Equine Veterinary Association
British Horse Society
Farriers Registration Council
International League for the Protection of Horses
National Equine Welfare Council
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Worshipful Company of Farriers

Emma
www.voicesforhorses.co.uk
 
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