HORSE owners are being asked to check any farriers they use are registered, following a spate of reports of illegal farriery in the region.

The Farriers Registration Council (FRC), the national body which oversees the ancient trade of shoeing horses, says it wants to remind horse owners of the dangers of allowing unregistered individuals to carry out such work. It follows on from reports of unregistered people shoeing horses in Guisborough, Whitby and the Robin Hood’s Bay area.

A spokesman from the FRC said under the Farriers (Registration) Act, only registered farriers, approved apprentices, vets and people giving first aid in an emergency can legally practice farriery. For everyone else it constitutes a criminal office.

He said: “Owners using unregistered individuals for shoeing their horses place the welfare of their animals at risk, they may invalidate their insurance if the horse is lamed or otherwise injured or damaged, and may be guilty of aiding and abetting a criminal act.”

He added: “In addition to risking injury to a horse with an incorrectly fitted shoe or a misplaced nail, or by choosing not to use a registered farrier, an owner may cause long term damage from unbalanced or unskilled trimming by an unregistered, inexperienced or untrained individual. Of course this may incur additional future costs to correct the damaging effects of poor workmanship.”

Horse owners can ask to see a farrier’s registration card, or check the register by visiting the FRC website; farrier-reg.gov.uk or by telephoning the FRC office on 01733-319911.

Anyone who has information regarding any alleged illegal farriery activity is asked to report it to the police or to the FRC.