Would you use an unregistered farrier?

You would be surprised, how many people do with out realising for example how many of you check that your farrier is still on the register? Even if he has been shoeing your horse for the last two or three years successfully it dosen't necessarily mean that he has renewed his registration for the following year... It is worth keeping an eye on these things.

Also being aware of apprentices that practice with your farrier, what level are they at, are they registered trainees and what stage are they in the training. Do they require supervision still or is it ok for them to go out on their own unsupervised to shoe your horse?

Not so straightforward and black and white....
 
No, I wouldn't. Their training is long and challenging. Even then, some of the registered farriers I know of, I would not let near my horses, mainly because of their lack of calmness and respect for the horse. The farrier I have used for the last two years is excellent, and I have learnt a lot from watching, and listening to him whilst he shoes my horse. Horse does not have the best feet due to long term neglect before I bought him, but 3 out of 4 are satisfactory, and the 4th is on its way!
 
Having grandfathers rights doesn't mean they haven't done a relevant apprenticeship, it just might not be the same scheduled training that younger folk have done.

I would use one of these because they would be registered anyway, but if they weren't I would be concerned about insurance just like with 'trimmers'.

With most things, I like to use the most qualified person I can afford, but sometimes qualifications and even years and years of experience can't beat common sense and an open mind!
 
Alphamare said:
Farriers who have been given 'grandfathers rights' are registered! Just under a different section as the younger men and usually had a longer apprenticeship. They are still under the WCF! So no I would not use an unregistered farrier but this is not the case here anyway!
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I've done a search on the register and neither name comes up, so unless the search facility doesn't cover all the sections, they aren't on it.
 
potto said:
You would be surprised, how many people do with out realising for example how many of you check that your farrier is still on the register? Even if he has been shoeing your horse for the last two or three years successfully it dosen't necessarily mean that he has renewed his registration for the following year... It is worth keeping an eye on these things.

Also being aware of apprentices that practice with your farrier, what level are they at, are they registered trainees and what stage are they in the training. Do they require supervision still or is it ok for them to go out on their own unsupervised to shoe your horse?

Not so straightforward and black and white....
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Interesting..
 
scrunchie said:
I know of two men who appear to be allowed to operate as farriers as they have "old man rights", as in they have done the job for a long long time and seem to know what they are doing. (They work separately btw. They're not a team or anything)

I've had a fallout with my regular farrier. He's really annoyed me. I don't want to use him again - I'm not sure if he'd even come out to me again tbh.

My girl is currently unshod and has a split in her hoof that needs looking at. All the locals seem to use the two older farriers. I just feel a bit wary of them.

I was told that the farriers council took one of the men to court in an attempt to shut him down but the court ruled in favour of the man. The other one is fairly new to the area and I don't know much about him.
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OP please could you PM me the name of the farriers in question. I just want to double check something which is concerning me slightly. Thanks! :)
 
One of the best farriers I ever knew turned out to be unregistered. He did a beautiful job on my then horse's very difficult feet, had a lovely way with nervous horses, and I was really sorry when someone blew the whistle on him and he stopped.

But doubtless you could get a rogue. I've always believed though, that a bit of paper isn't everything. All it actually means is that you SHOULD have some comeback if things go wrong. I think if we're honest we all know somebody with all the right qualifications, in what ever sphere, but who just doesn't cut the mustard, whether it be teaching, car maintenance, doctoring - or farriery.
 
Rose Folly said:
One of the best farriers I ever knew turned out to be unregistered. He did a beautiful job on my then horse's very difficult feet, had a lovely way with nervous horses, and I was really sorry when someone blew the whistle on him and he stopped.

But doubtless you could get a rogue. I've always believed though, that a bit of paper isn't everything. All it actually means is that you SHOULD have some comeback if things go wrong. I think if we're honest we all know somebody with all the right qualifications, in what ever sphere, but who just doesn't cut the mustard, whether it be teaching, car maintenance, doctoring - or farriery.
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inclined to agree.Pieces of paper prove nothing.
 
No.
Even if they were amazing.
For the simple reason that, if anything happened to your horse and it turned out you'd been using an unregistered farrier, the insurance company would use it as a reason to not pay out.
 
They have to be qualified and I presume have to show they have insurance, comply with rules. So if they have broken one of the rules how would you know? many are struck off for hitting horses. are they paying tax? Have they got insurance? The rules are there to protect the public.
 
When i first had my horse i was recommend a fab farrier i used him until i moved out of the area. My horse had lovely hooves with him and never lost a shoe or had one go loose.
I have no idea if he was registered, didn't even know his last name (new horse owner ignorance) looked on register to try and find his last name as i knew the area he lived in but couldn't find him. However if i moved back closer to him i would be very happy to use him again.
 
As others have said a farrier that's qualified through "grandfather rights" should still be on the register, it just means that they did the old style apprenticeship rather than the college based qualifications. Dad was in the first year of the existing college scheme qualifying in the early 80s so presumably the farriers referred to in the OP's post have been practicing and finished their apprenticeships before that.
I'd happily use a farrier that's on grandfather rights (although would question how many of them are still working given the wear and tear of the job!) but never one that's not registered.
 
Patterdale said:
No.
Even if they were amazing.
For the simple reason that, if anything happened to your horse and it turned out you'd been using an unregistered farrier, the insurance company would use it as a reason to not pay out.
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To be fair lots of us don't insure so it's not a consideration.
And as for the registered farriers being regulated I wonder what the poor women whose disgruntled farrier entered her field at night and cut her two horses shoes off and was let of with a slap on the wrist by the powers that be feels about how much protection regulation gives people .
I have honestly never checked apart from I do know who all my farriers where apprenticed to because it's a country area if I moved to a new area it would make sense to check.
 
The fact that the farriers counsel want him struck off says enough for me, i'd avoid! There will be other farriers who are reg - just keep looking and asking around.
 
Moomin1 said:
Lol, no not at all QB. I know of a quite concerning character who may well be doing farriery work unregistered. And believe me, I wouldn't want that person near me never mind my horse!
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To be honest, I have to agree, an unregistered farrier is concerning, IMO, if they are unregistered and excellent, they should take steps to ensure they are registered, insured etc. I bet they dont flipping charge any less:p
 
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Read up on the Worshipful Company of Farriers site. All bona fide farriers are registered with them whether through 'grandfather rights' or through more recent legistlation. Never ceases to amaze me why people don't read up about these things.
 
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