Forge and Farrier

Qualified members of professional bodies are increasingly being required to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in order that the high standards they had to achieve to become qualified are maintained whilst they continue to practice in their chosen profession. The Medical Profession has recently made CPD compulsory, and this compulsion is likely to spread to other professions, including farriery. Indeed it is possible that annual registration may become dependent on satisfactory achievement of the specified amount of CPD.

In order that CPD is set up to suit farriers and the farriery profession, the Worshipful Company of
Farriers, Farriers Registration Council, and National Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths and
Agricultural Engineers have formed a CPD Steering Group (CPDSG) to take forward Farriery CPD.

CPD benefits everyone.

• Horses should be better looked after. Clients – the horse owning public in particular -will be
able to see whether their farrier is keeping himself up to date, and thus make informed decisions
on which farrier they engage to trim and shoe their horse(s).
• Farriers improve not only their technical knowledge and techniques, including the use of
modern materials, but are also updated on related topics such as modern business practice and
software, client relationships, and remedial shoeing. Financial benefits, such as reduced
insurance premiums, are being investigated. Finally, if complaints are made about farriers they
are seen in a much more serious light if the individual has not kept up with CPD. Equally it is a
strong mitigation if modern practices are studied and followed. Annual checks of CPD claimed
will be carried out. A van sticker will be issued annually.
• Providers of CPD can plan events to meet the demand, thus providing better targeted CPD by
location, better focussed by subject to meet demand. This means better attended events, which
should improve quality. CPD providers need to have their event accredited by the CPDSG
(registrar@wcf.org.uk); CPD points for each event will be awarded in relation to the depth and
breadth of the subject matter, quality of speakers, etc. The CPDSG will also inform providers
how CPD should be recorded, both on the Farriers CPD Record Card at the event, and also
electronically to the FRC where CPD will be recorded.
The CPDSG is conducting a survey of farriers to determine what level of CPD is required together with the locations and frequency of demand. This will help to provide an overview of the types of CPD required which will assist CPD providers in planning the provision of courses, and the geographical areas where they are needed. This will go some way to providing more regional CPD, rather than the current central location, which disadvantages farriers from the outer reaches of the UK. A questionnaire is in the next Farriers Bulletin. All farriers should complete and return a questionnaire – it is free and gains them one CPD point.

Every farrier will be required to gain 10 points per year averaged over a 3 year period. The
system will start in earnest in 2008. The requirement in 2008 is 5 points, in 2009, 8 points, and from 2010 onwards 10 points per year. Farriers who have completed the required amount of CPD in the previous year will display a CPD Sticker on their van.

For an up to date list of CPD elligible events click here