How often should a horse see a farrier, dentist or physio?

Farrier: how often

The government’s Code of Practice says a horse’s feet should be trimmed regularly by a competent person ¹. It says hooves should be trimmed or re-shod as the farrier advises, which should usually be every 4 to 8 weeks ¹. How often trimming is needed depends on factors including health, nutrition, age and type of work ¹.

The Code says that, in the main, horses ridden or driven on roads or hard surfaces will need to be regularly shod by a registered farrier ¹. Loose shoes should get prompt attention ¹. For foot problems, it says to get advice from a registered farrier or a vet ¹.

The Farriers Registration Council page on recognising a registered farrier does not state a visit interval ³.

Farrier: the law

It is against the law for someone who is not on the register to carry out farriery ². The exceptions include:

• apprentices and trainees on approved courses, while training ²
• veterinary surgeons and veterinary practitioners ²
• a person giving first aid in an emergency to a horse ²

The penalty on summary conviction is a fine up to level 3 on the standard scale ². The Code says the Act requires anyone who shoes horses to register each year, including people who only shoe their own horses ¹.

Dentist: how often

The Code says teeth should be inspected by a vet or a BAEDT equine dental technician at least once a year, and rasped or otherwise treated if necessary ¹. Older horses may need their teeth checked more than once a year ¹.

The BAEDT says care should start as a yearling. After the first visit, the technician sets a maintenance plan, usually every 6 or 9 months ⁵. It advises regular checks even when there are no obvious signs of dental disease ⁵.

Signs to look out for, per the Code, include half-chewed food dropping from the mouth, poor body condition and lack of energy, and abnormal mouth movements when ridden ¹.

Dentist: the law

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, acts of veterinary surgery are limited to registered vets, with some exceptions ⁶. BEVA says all diagnostic and treatment procedures in a horse’s mouth are acts of veterinary surgery. Its one stated exception is manual removal of small overgrowths and sharp enamel points with hand instruments ⁴. The Code says any dental treatment that is an act of veterinary surgery must be done by a vet ¹.

BEVA and the BAEDT describe three categories of dental work ⁴⁵:

• Category 1. Examining teeth and basic hand work, such as removing sharp enamel points and small overgrowths (up to 4 mm) with manual rasps. BEVA says people with recognised training may do this. The BAEDT says anyone may do it ⁴⁵.
• Category 2. Work such as using motorised instruments to reduce overgrowths, or removing erupted, non-displaced wolf teeth under direct and continuous veterinary supervision. It is done by technicians who have passed an approved examination, such as the BEVA/BVDA exam ⁴⁵. BEVA says category 2 procedures are still acts of veterinary surgery, with a so-called “amnesty” for qualified technicians. It adds that the RCVS has said there is no public interest in prosecuting vets who work with accredited technicians on categories 1 and 2, provided conditions are met ⁴.
• Category 3. All other procedures. These are for vets only ⁴. BEVA gives examples such as widening diastemata and removing unerupted wolf teeth ⁴. It warns that if a non-vet does this, the vet, technician and owner could all be liable ⁴.

BEVA also says that only a vet may dispense, supply or stock prescription-only drugs ⁴. The BEVA page shows no date, so check current RCVS guidance for the latest position ⁴.

Physiotherapy

We haven’t found published guidance on how often a horse should see a physiotherapist, so ask your vet.

On the law, the RCVS says people providing physiotherapy under the 2015 exemption order are an exception to the rule that only vets may practise veterinary surgery ⁶. The therapist must be aged 18 or over, and the treatment must be delegated by a vet who has examined the animal and prescribed it ⁶. Treated animals must be registered with a veterinary surgeon ⁶. The RCVS says physiotherapy includes osteopathy and chiropractic ⁶.

Routine care for a healthy animal, such as massage, does not need this delegation. Care should stop and the owner should see a vet if signs of injury or disease appear ⁶. The RCVS does not regulate therapists ⁶.

Checking registration

• Farrier. Check the farrier’s registration card, which shows their name and year of validity. You can also search “Find a Farrier” on the Farriers Registration Council website, or phone the Council on 01733 319911 (Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 17:00) ³.
• Vet. Search the RCVS “Find a Vet” register. It covers vets and veterinary nurses eligible to practise in the UK ⁷.
• Equine dental technician. The BAEDT website links to a separate members page ⁵. It says the BEVA/BVDA exam is the Defra-approved examination required to join the BAEDT and to work at category 2 level ⁵. It sets out performance guidelines for members ⁵.

The RCVS check-registers page does not say whether physiotherapists appear on RCVS registers ⁷.

Where to get help

The Code says to seek further advice from a vet or an appropriately qualified and experienced horse care specialist ¹. For registration queries about a farrier, the Farriers Registration Council will check the register by phone ³.