UKHSU - The United Kingdom Horse Shoers Union

  Press Release no 2 July 2002

The Equine Insurance Forum.

The recent revelation that there may be moves towards insurance companies requiring surgical or remedial shoeing to be carried out by farriers who hold Associate or Fellowship qualifications (or their equivalent) has been the subject of much discussion recently.

The Equine Insurance Forum (EIF) has not made any firm plans and the UK Horseshoers Union are pressing for careful consideration to be given to any such plans. The reaction of many horse owners appears to have been confusion. Many farriers feel that their skills are being undervalued and, although they may have worked closely with veterinarians for years, that this could be a threat to their continued involvement in insurance related work.

The UKHSU approached Simon Curtis FWCF, Master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers who, it seems, has been involved in discussions with the EIF, and asked him if he was acting as an individual or on behalf of the WCF and also if any consultation had taken place with farriers, veterinarians, horse owners or the insurance industry. Unfortunately Mr Curtis has not only refused to answer these questions but has instructed the Union not to contact him further. The Union is now in the process of approaching the WCF direct to ask them the same questions.

The UKHSU is an organisation which represents horseshoers, and only horseshoers. The membership comes from a broad base and the Union hopes to put the views of the majority of working horseshoers although there will always be some difference of opinion. The Union also seeks to encourage anyone involved in the industry to increase skills and knowledge but not just for the sake of a higher income. Hopefully a dialogue can develop between the WCF, EIF, UKHSU and other relevant bodies and the unrest caused by the current level of secrecy can be dispelled.