BY ALLISON LEE
One of the most difficult tasks I faced when I moved my smallholding to North Yorkshire was finding a farrier. I, along with my donkeys and ponies, had a good relationship with our existing farrier, and I was keen to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Finding a farrier isn’t just a simple matter of doing a Google search, sourcing someone nearby and contacting them. Farriers are skilled professionals, and anyone looking for one needs to know what to look for.
I faced the added challenge of finding a farrier who knew donkeys and, more importantly, was willing to treat them. Donkeys’ hooves are not the same as horses’ or ponies’, and neither is their temperament. Many farriers simply refuse to treat donkeys.
A farrier is a specialised equine professional who combines the skills of a blacksmith with a deep understanding of equine lower-limb anatomy to maintain, balance and protect the hooves of ponies, horses and donkeys.
Farriers have several core responsibilities, including:
- Hoof trimming and balancing – this is where the overgrown horn material is removed, and the hoof wall is levelled to ensure the animal is properly balanced. This is all that is required for my three miniature Mediterranean donkeys and two miniature Shetland ponies. However, it can still be hard work for the farrier, as the animals don’t always conform, and he needs to be on his guard at all times, especially with the donkeys, who give no indication at all that they are about to kick out!
- Shoeing – this is done to protect the hooves from excessive wear and tear.
- Early detection – a good farrier inspects the hooves and legs whilst trimming and can often spot early signs of bruising and cracks, which can lead to lameness if not treated promptly.
Training to become a farrier takes a long time, with apprenticeships typically lasting 4 years. In the UK, the Farriers Registration Council legally regulates the profession, and farriers must be registered to practise in England, Scotland and Wales. It is a criminal offence for an unregistered person to shoe a horse or practise farriery, with penalties including a criminal record and fines. However, registration is not mandatory in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Horses, ponies and donkeys should have their hooves trimmed every six to eight weeks, and if shod, this should also be done regularly. Highly qualified farriers are in steady demand. The work is physically gruelling and, in the case of working on miniatures like mine, can be especially difficult due to their size and the fact that the farrier is bending down for long periods of time. Farriery can be dangerous, with frequent injuries from long-term musculoskeletal strain and occasional injuries from untrained equines.
Do your homework when choosing the right farrier for you and your equines. Take your time, do your research, and, if possible, ask for recommendations from people with experience with local farriers. Not every farrier will be right for your animals, and it is vital that you find the right person for the job to prevent your animals from becoming stressed, which can lead to considerable problems down the line.
I needn’t have worried. My farrier was recommended, and everyone who has worked with him has nothing but praise for his work. He is a six-time world champion, and when it comes to my mini equines, he has the patience of a saint!
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.