NEWS
Archived Articles Now Available. Click on the link to the right to take a look.
The latest from - A Farrier's Diary By Ian Hughes DipWCF
Head Farrier - Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games '08
Team Farrier - British Paralympic Dressage Team
Honorary lecturer at Liverpool University Large Animal Hospital
more ...
January 2012 -
British Concave Horseshoes from Cottam Horseshoes
British Concave Horseshoes from only £16.60 a box. No need to buy in bulk, these amazing low prices are available whether you buy 1 box or 50 boxes. Just give Jane a call for a free sample 8am till 8pm on 01246 453672. Click the page below to check out the full list of sizes and prices. http://www.cottamhorseshoes.com/offers.htm
January 2012 -
Change of date for BFBA National Championships
The National Championships have moved dates once again. They are now 28th June - 1st July. This is so that we can keep it running alongside the Land Rover Max Annual event. Having the two running together proved to be extremely beneficial last year.
More details available soon.
January 2012 -
Trinity Park - The only place for farriers in 2012
FARRIERS the length and breadth of the UK will be turning their attention to Trinity Park in Suffolk on 2 and 3 March for the Suffolk Agricultural Association’s second CPD Training Day and Eastern Counties Spring Championship and the inaugural Farriers’ Ball.
January 2012 -
A helping hand in January from Horseshoes Direct
Horseshoes Direct are offering 20% off when you buy 12 boxes of their quality shoes until the end of January.
December 2011 -
Christmas Dinner saved by Portaforge!
A power cut across the whole of Stoneleigh Park threatened to ruin the BFBA Branch Officer's Christmas lunch on Saturday 3 December.
However, some resourceful farrier thinking and a determined chef saved the day.
An improvised stove was put together with two Swan Portatforges, more normally used for shoemaking competitions, with some bar steel making up the 'racks'.
Chef Rupert Palmer of Kopanski Catering immediately set to work as if he were working in a fully equipped commercial kitchen.
Rupert served up an excellent traditional roast turkey lunch and pudding to around 30 BFBA officers and guests just as the power came back on... along with the heating!
Chef Rupert Palmer of Kopanski Catering putting the finishing touches to the BFBA Christmas lunch.
November 2011 -
Horseshoes Direct Christmas Offers
We believe 2012 is going to be a special year for us.
And in preparation for this we think a special year deserves a special offer.
So until the end of January …… 2012 = 20 ---- 12
Which to us means 20% off when you buy 12 boxes of our shoes.
That means quality Concave shoes with left and right hand hinds now from only £16.80 a box.!!
And a range of Side clipped fronts coming soon.
We also sell Heller Rasps, Derby + Mustad nails, Save edge rasps, J.Blurton bar shoes, Vettec products, Aprons studs and pins all at amazingly low prices.
Just give us a call on 01909 566822 or call in and see us
We are open Monday – Friday 8.00am – 5.00 p.m. and Saturday 8.00 – 12.00 p.m. near J31 of M1.
August 2011 -
Technical Article - Treatment options for flexor tendon deformities in foals
Conformational faults in foals, involving the flexor tendons, are very common in young horses and can be either of congenital or acquired origin. A flexural deformity (FD) represents a deviation of the leg in the sagittal plane, which is related to the persistent hyperflexion of a joint or joints including distal interphalangeal, metacarpo/tarso-phalangeal and carpal joints (Munroe and Chan, 1996).
August 2011 -
Article - War Horse - Arriving at the front
The application of horse ambulances for military purposes has been an interesting and useful feature of the present war. During peace horse ambulances have for some time past been used by the Army Veterinary Corps ...
August 2011 -
BFBA President's Address
Every BFBA President I have known has included at some point in his address the fact that time flies during the two years in office; it seems that I have only just written the first address and here I am writing the second one.
August 2011 -
First trainees of heritage blacksmithing get started
The National Heritage Ironwork Group’s (NHIG) first eight trainees, selected from applicants from all over the UK, on their Heritage Blacksmiths Bursary training programme started on 23rd May. These semi-skilled blacksmiths, six men and two women, are the first to receive one year of specialised blacksmith conservator training as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) ‘Skills for the Future’ programme.
August 2011 -
Blacksmiths Forge Ahead!
Blacksmithing students at Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell centre showed their spark in a recent competition
10 August 2011 -
BFBA AGM 28th May
Modernising and reforming the rule book, encouraging members to get involved with local BFBA branches and to come to the AGM, EFFA membership and whether an entrance examination for apprentices seeking an ATF should be introduced, were some of the issues discussed in an open forum held immediately after BFBA's 107th AGM, held on May 28 at the Forge, Stoneleigh Park.
August 2011 -
BFBA Pre-Dip Days - 4-5 June 2011
‘Really good’ – was the unanimous description of the 40 apprentices who attended the latest BFBA’s ‘pre-dip’ days that were held over the weekend of June 4 and 5. Despite it being a learning experience, the nerves of the candidates were obvious – in some more than others.
August 2011 -
New way of evaluating lameness in horses
Lameness commonly affects horses and a major problem is its diagnosis is that detection relies on visual observation with the naked eye.
August 2011 -
New research confirms effectiveness of grazing muzzles
New research, presented at the Equine Science Society Symposium in Nashshville, USA in May, shows that using a grazing muzzle can reduce the pasture intake of ponies by over 80 per cent (Longland 2011).
August 2011 -
Effects of soaking on the water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein content of hay
Pasture-associated laminitis in temperate regions is thought to result from over-consumption of water-soluble carbohydrates.
August 2011 -
Milestone for horse research
The country’s first free source of research summaries available for the public to use has reached its first milestone, having just passed its 2000th research upload.
August 2011 -
Protect horses from equine herpes virus urges Pfizer
Pfizer Animal Health is urging horse owners, yard managers and trainers to understand more about keeping their horses protected from the effects of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), a contagious viral infection that can damage health, cause abortion and significantly impact performance.
August 2011 -
The Horse Trust launches celebrations of its 125th anniversary
Equine charity The Horse Trust launched a year of celebrations to commemorate its 125th anniversary on June 6. The charity also announced its future plans that will build up the links between its sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire, the equine research it funds and its training programme.
August 2011 -
New Chief Executive RASE completes its restructuring
The Royal Agricultural Society of England has completed its planned restructuring with the appointment of a new Chief Executive to manage its core purpose.
August 2011 -
FREE Farriery Software by John Fligg
Ambrit Software continues to encourage farriers to take the importance of detailed record keeping on board. While some progress has been made, it seems that the majority of farriers feel that comprehensive record keeping is too time consuming and of little value. Nothing could be further from the truth.
August 2011 -
Interviews - what are they?
An interview is a conversations, where the employer is hoping to find the right person for the job and where you are hoping to find the right job for you. They are a two way process.
10 July 2011 -
Calgary Stampede - Steven Beane wins for the 3rd Year in a Row
CALGARY – No one ever suggested his first Calgary Stampede win was a fluke in 2009. And no one questioned victory No. 2 under the Big Top last July. But now? Steven Beane’s reputation as a world-class blacksmith has officially been dipped in bronze.
10 July 2011 -
Missing Pony - Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Seven ponies / horses kept in a field and only Oscar (Hollybrook Fortune Cookie) was stolen. The ponies were not visible from any lanes / roads.
20 June 2011 -
The Environment and its Effect on the Hoof Capsule
All year long British farriers strive to cope with constant changes in hoof shape and quality depending on the season. We are very seldom happy with the hoof shape and condition, too wet, too dry, no frog, no sole, walls eroded, the list goes on.
20 June 2011 -
How good is your rasp?
The purpose of this test was to compare rasps, effectiveness and evaluate the claim that EasySharp fluid has a beneficial effect on rasps, used by farriers, to improve sharpness.
20 June 2011 -
Minister announces next steps for equine industry at the National Equine Forum
The 19th National Equine Forum (NEF) held on 8 March saw James Paice MP announcing the government’s important next steps for the equine industry. It was also the launch pad for the results of the UK’s first public National Equine Health Survey.
20 June 2011 -
World Farriers Association annual meeting
Many people have felt that the WFA has not been pro-active or aggressive enough in making contacts around the world and offering our advice and services, of whatever kind. The WFA has been around for 25 years now, and should be well enough known by world farriers, organised or not, for the help and service it can give.
20 June 2011 -
FRC - Getting to know you
Meet Chris Nixon and Paul Stilgoe
20 June 2011 -
Rob Renirie - in the hot seat
Over the sunny spring weekend of 26th & 27th March 2011, Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd welcomed more than 200 farriers and apprentices to their unit in Pitstone Green Business Park for the first of this year’s clinics. Following a welcome by Billy Crothers, we were introduced to our guest clinician for the day, Rob Renirie.
7 June 2011 -
HCT - Course Tutor for School of Farriery
We are seeking to appoint an experienced teacher to support the development of the Farriery provision at the Holme Lacy Campus.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to use their vocational experience and enthusiasm to create an outstanding education provision.
31 May 2011 -
Myerscough students help shoe police horses
MYERSCOUGH College has joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to provide farrier care for the police horses.
Apprentice farriers from the college’s school of farrier science will attend the Force’s stables on a weekly basis with Allan Worthington AWCF, a farriery lecturer at Myerscough College, to ensure that the yard horses are kept well shod and sound
22 May 2011 -
Sarah Mary strikes a mighty blow for women farriers
Scot Sarah Mary Brown has struck a mighty blow on behalf of women in the ancient, male-dominated craft by joining the elite as an Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.
27 April 2011 -
Last remaining places available on Sun 5th June Pre-Dip Course
Last few remaining places available on Sun 5th June BFBA Pre-Dip Course. Contact Amanda at BFBA HQ now to book your place.
18 April 2011 -
Student was a shoe-in for top award!
A Myerscough College Farriery apprentice has won the award for the best written paper in the country from The Worshipful Company of Farriers.
18 April 2011 -
RASE Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award
Nominations are now being sought for this prestigious annual award, sponsored by Merial Animal Health and given by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). Top equine students from the UK and Ireland are encouraged to enter their theses for judging NOW
8 April 2011 -
Manual lymph drainage by Heather Powell
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a light, non-invasive, painless and effective therapy developed in the last century by Dr Emil Vodder, who also pioneered the medical speciality lymphology. It is used in the treatment of many different pathologies, and is the treatment of choice for the condition lymphoedema.
8 April 2011 -
Knowing about notifiable diseases
Working with horses, means that farriers should be aware of the notifiable and other diseases that affect their equid clients. Some of the diseases are so important that a local Animal Health office of Defra or the Divisional Veterinary Office in Northern Ireland must be notified if they are suspected.
8 April 2011 -
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow
Blacksmithing and farriery are among the oldest trades and crafts and are still practised in much the same way since the day of their creation. What has changed over time is our knowledge and awareness of safety issues, and modern day man is constantly battling to make the workplace as safe as possible.
8 April 2011 -
HR Consultancy - Deductions from wages
Employees are protected from employers making unauthorised deductions from their pay and wages. Employers can only make a deduction in specific situations and they must follow your employment contract terms.
8 April 2011 -
Know foot know horse.com
Know foot know horse.com is a farrier education website built by farriers for farriers. The website brings together the traditional skills of the farrier and the modern teaching techniques of e-learning.
8 April 2011 -
International Hoof Care Summit, Cincinnati
Representatives from Ambrit Software returned from the International Hoofcare Summit 2011 in Cincinnati recently, where managing director John Fligg had been asked to speak about business management solutions in tough times.
8 April 2011 -
In Memoriam - Brian Webber
To the call of a lone Huntsman 'Blowing for Home’, over 15 farriers paid their respects at the funeral of Cornish farrier Brian Webber, who passed away following a short illness on the 7th of January 2011 aged 73.
8 April 2011 -
New survey reveals current equine healthcare problems
The results of the UK’s first ever public National Equine Health Survey (NEHS), announced at the National Equine Forum on 8 March, have pinpointed the current, non-notifiable healthcare issues affecting horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK.
As the weather improves and competition schedules start to drop through the letterbox, many of us will be looking forward to the season ahead. However, after the long, cold winter we have just endured, it’s not just our horses we might need to bring back to fitness but the trailers and horseboxes which may have stood idly over the winter months and to which we will entrust the safe transportation of our four-legged companions.
8 April 2011 -
Pfizer make it easy to understand worm control
Pfizer Animal Health, manufacturers of the equine wormers EQUEST®, EQUEST PRAMOX® and EQUITAPE®, have launched a new campaign to make it easier for horse owners to understand the modern principles of worm control.
28 February 2011 -
New Spring farriery event is announced by The Suffolk Agricultural Association
A new and the first accredited training day and farriery competition held by The Suffolk Agricultural Association, outside of the Suffolk Show, will take place on March 4 and 5, 2011, at Trinity Park, Ipswich.
Open to all farriers and apprentices throughout the country, the Eastern Counties Spring Championship will be held on the second day preceded by a day’s hunter shoeing tuition with one of the UK’s most eminent farriers Gary Darlow AFCL from Knutsford, who will also judge the championship.
Gary Darlow AFCL, is seven times National Champion and holder of every major shoeing and shoe making title in the UK and began his career from his farm in 1980. He will be giving practical hunter shoeing training for both qualified and apprentice farriers and participants will be awarded the equivalent of four training points.
The Eastern Counties Spring Championship held the following day comprises six classes, two open to registered farriers only, with prize money totalling more than £1800 and a first prize of £500 for the open Hunter Shoeing class. There are monetary prizes for the first four in each class, except the Eagle Eye which has one winner, that will be presented on the day. The event is supported by Worshipful Company of Farriers who is providing silver or bronze medals.
Supported by AJN Steelstock Ltd and Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd, the timed classes are Open Hunter Shoeing; Therapeutic Class; Apprentice Shoemaking 1 and 2 years; Apprentice Shoemaking 3 & 4 years; Apprentice Therapeutic and Eagle Eye where competitors are allowed 30 seconds to look at the horse’s foot before making a hunter front shoe with a centre mark in 15 minutes.
All apprentices will be required to work out of their own gas forges from their vans.
Chief steward is Stuart Garrard DWCF a farrier and for the past four years head steward of farriery at the Suffolk Show.
Executive Director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association Christopher Bushby said:
”Farriery is always a well supported area at the Show. Visitors of all ages are intrigued to see the farriers at work. We have more than 100 entries and it is a growing industry that as a charity we are determined to support as part of our education programme. We need to ensure that there are sufficient farriers for the future expansion of the equine industry in this region which has seen dramatic growth over the past few years.”
Entries are now closed.
15 February 2011 - Vans have a lower speed limit than cars
Recently, farrier Gary Burton went through a police van speed trap. He was following traffic doing 74 mph on a dual carriageway where the speed limit was 70mph. Shortly after he was surprised to receive a letter saying that he was to be prosecuted, as a result of which he got 3 points on his driving license and a £60 fine. He was unaware that vans have to adopt a speed limit 10mph below that of a car on dual carriageways, and suspects many others may be too. The national speed limit for a van is 10mph lower than a car on both dual and single carriageway roads.
The Department for Transport clarification of national speed limits for vans
It is important for drivers to bear in mind that vans (and all goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes) are subject to lower national speed limits than cars on both single and dual carriageway roads. Whilst a car may travel at up to 60 mph on single carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways vans are only allowed to travel up to 50mph on single carriageway roads and 60mph on dual carriageway roads.
[Remember that the speed limits quoted here are national limits, a lower speed limit will apply in built up areas and on many local roads. Where a lower speed limit is signed you must comply with those lower limits].
Q. Where do these different speed limits for vans come from?
A. The national speed limits are set out in Schedule 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act of 1984 and they are summarised in regulation 124 of the Sept 2007 version of the Highway Code.
Q. Why should vans have lower speed limits than cars when they now have modern advanced braking systems like cars?
A. The main reason for these lower speed limits is that goods vehicles are designed to be able to carry heavier loads and when laden they will tend to take longer to slow down than a car travelling at the same speed.
Q. Are there any exemptions from these lower speed limits for vans?
A. There is one (small) group of vans, which have the same speed limits are cars by virtue of the definitions in Schedule 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act of 1984. These are vans that are both derived from a car chassis and also have a maximum laden weight of no more than 2 tonnes. This means that the weight of the vehicle and the payload it is designed to be able to carry when added together do not exceed 2 tonnes. The van design must be a derivative of a car body, it is not sufficient that it looks similar to a particular car.
Q. Which vans meet the criteria to be considered car-derived vans for speed limit purposes?
A. Very few vans will meet the criteria to benefit from the same speed limits as a car. Those that do are likely to be similar to a Ford Fiesta van, Vauxhall Corsa or Renault Clio van in having maximum payloads of around 500kgs so that when combined with the weight of the vehicle unladen (normally around 1.4 tonnes) the maximum laden weight of the whole vehicle will not exceed 2 tonnes.
What this means is that vans such as the Ford Transit and (and of course the larger panel vans) will not meet the definition of car derived vans set out set out in part IV section 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Therefore these vehicles will be subject to speed limits of 50mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways.
Q. Do these speed limits apply if the van is travelling without a load?
A. The national speed limits apply to the vehicle type and it makes no difference whether the vehicle at a particular time is fully loaded, partially loaded or travelling without a load.
Q. If my van is fitted with a speed limiter then it can't do more than 56 mph anyway so why should I worry about these speed limits?
A. The only non-HGV goods vehicles that are required to have a speed limiter are those that were registered after 30th September 2001 and have a gross design weight of over 3.5 tonnes. Therefore most vans will not be fitted with a limiter. In any case on particular local roads the speed limits may be lower than these national ones. It is vital to keep within the speed limits specified on road signs and also to vary your vehicle's speed according to the prevailing weather or traffic conditions.
For more information log on to www.dft.gov.uk
15 December 2010 - Trust SPILLERS Horse & Pony Cubes this winter
Predicted hay shortages and soaring feed prices may mean tough times ahead for many horse owners this winter but you can count on SPILLERS®. They have put together a fantastic offer to help you feed your horse safely now the colder weather’s kicking in. From mid November, while stocks last, you can take advantage of a three for the price of two offer on the non-heating* favourite SPILLERS® Horse & Pony Cubes.
SPILLERS® Horse & Pony Cubes are the original non-heating cube. They are low in cereal starch and have added magnesium, known for its calming properties. The perfect balance of vitamins and minerals removes the need to feed additional supplements, while high levels of the important antioxidant Vitamin E will help support your horse’s natural defences over the winter months.
The offer runs from mid November and is available while stocks last - so hurry up and fill your feed store without emptying your pocket! For friendly feeding advice please telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on + 44 (0)1908 226626 or send an email to careline@spillers-feeds.com. For further information visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com
* A non heating feed is one that is less likely to produce excitable behaviour in some horses and ponies when fed at the recommended rate.
15 December 2010 - A friend in need ... homes wanted for companion horses
The Blue Cross, one of the UK’s leading animal charities, is urging horse owners to give a second chance in life to a companion horse, while promoting the important role that they can play.
While these horses may be unsuitable for riding, they make ideal companions to riding horses who benefit from the friendship and stability that some extra equine company can bring. The charity currently has 13 very deserving larger horses looking for companion homes, as well as a number of ponies, and is especially keen to highlight the advantages of taking on a bigger companion.
Gemma Taylor, senior riding groom at The Blue Cross, explains: “Horses are herd animals that rely upon each other for mutual grooming, safety and company. Not only will companions fulfil these important, instinctive needs but they can also have a positive influence on the behaviour of other horses, particularly youngsters, highly strung or anxious types by providing calmness and stability.”
Gemma continues: “Some people believe it’s easier to get a small pony as a companion as it will be cheaper and easier to keep. This may be true if you already have a pony with similar management needs. However a horse will often be better off with a horse rather than a pony as a companion as they can share the same grazing and feeding regime safely. Allowing a small pony access to the amount of grass and hay needed by a horse can lead to obesity problems and veterinary issues such as laminitis, which can be costly.”
The Blue Cross is always searching for homes for a mixture of companion and riding horses, but companions are often dismissed on the basis that they cannot be ridden. Such horses and ponies will have undergone thorough assessment and deemed unsuitable as riding horses for a variety of reasons, such as previous welfare issues, physical problems such as low grade lameness, unsuitable ridden behaviour or simply because they have had a hard working life and now deserve an enjoyable and relaxing retirement.
The charity’s bigger equine residents have often had a hard life racing or competing and are particularly deserving of a loving retirement home but sadly they tend to take the longest to find a home because they are usually overlooked in favour of companion ponies who are perceived to be an easier choice.
Tough Act, a handsome 15.2hh gelding, came to the charity because his owners could no longer give him the care he needed. Tough Act had had a hardworking life as a successful racehorse but sadly can no longer be ridden because of low grade lameness under saddle. He is a loving horse who is easy to handle and would make a perfect companion for a larger horse, but has so far been overlooked and has now been at the charity for four years.
Penny Costar from Standlake, Oxfordshire saw first-hand the benefit of a larger companion horse when she took on Simon from The Blue Cross after her horse unexpectedly lost its field mate. Penny specifically needed a larger horse because her existing ex-racehorse Frankie needs significant extra feeding during the winter months. She said: “Thank goodness for The Blue Cross. They understood the urgency as my horse does not like being on his own and knew exactly the type of companion Frankie needed. It has worked out so well and they are both so settled. I can’t thank the staff enough.”
The Blue Cross would like to hear from those with the knowledge and the facilities to take on a companion horse or pony and give them a second chance in life. Anyone providing homes for companions through the charity’s monitored loan scheme will be provided with free annual vaccinations and a routine health and teeth check for each Blue Cross horse, as well as EQUEST and EQUEST PRAMOX wormers for the first year. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses or phone 01993 822454.
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