A survey undertaken by the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association.

This survey is the beginning of a campaign to promote discussion, raise awareness and educate, with the aim of reducing the risk to farriers. The results from the survey will help us to quantify the frequency and types of injuries sustained by farriers while providing hoofcare services. To achieve this we need facts, please take the time to complete this questionnaire. The information gained will enable us to identify the ways in which we can support and help farriers to work more safely.

Please only complete the survey if you are a farrier or apprentice currently working in the UK.

The response deadline is 1st April 2021 and the results will be published in the May issue of Forge.

You may remain anonymous although please be aware if you wish to be entered in to the prize draw we will need your name.

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* 1. Name (please leave blank if you wish to remain anonymous. However, we will need your name if you would like to enter the prize draw).

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* 2. Please indicate which applies to you –

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* 3. How old are you? 

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* 4. How long have you been working as a farrier? (start from the year you began your apprenticeship)

For the purpose of this study please include only the injuries sustained through horse behaviour whilst trimming or shoeing, not those incurred in the forge or at the anvil unless a horse was involved.

An injury is defined as “An injury or event that required (self) treatment and/or resulted in time off work” (Parkin et al 2018).  (Therefore, please include any injuries that have required first aid and/or pain medication).

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* 5. How many injuries have you sustained in your career so far? 

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* 6. Of the total number of injuries stated in question 5, how many of those required the attention of a medical professional (doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor)? 

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* 7. Of the total number of injuries stated in question 5, how many of those required hospital treatment?

Please answer the following questions focusing on the most serious injury you have sustained –

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* 8. How would you describe the occupation of the horse at the time of injury?

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* 9. How would you describe the horse involved in the injury? 

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* 10. In which area of your body was this injury sustained? (please tick all that apply)

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* 11. How would you describe the type of injury sustained? (please tick all that apply)

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* 12. What was the main cause of the injury?

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* 13. As a result of the injury did you -

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* 14. What treatment was required? (please tick all that apply)

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* 15. As a result of the injury did you require time off work?

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* 16. As a result of this accident, have you lasting physical impairments?

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* 17. As a result of this accident, did you suffer financially?

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* 18. As a result of this accident, did you make a claim on personal injury insurance?

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* 19. At the time of the injury was the horse being held by a handler?

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* 20. Was the horse restrained at the time of injury? (please tick if more than one applies)

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* 21. Did this injury occur on a horse you had worked with previously?

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* 22. If no, were you made aware of previous behavioural problems during hoofcare appointments?

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* 23. Do you feel that the owner/client was honest with you prior to commencing hoofcare?

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* 24. What do you believe was the cause of the injury sustained? (please tick all that apply)

The following are questions that relate to minimising risk - 

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* 25. How do you think this accident could have been avoided? (please tick all that apply)

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* 26. Have you changed your practise as a result of this accident?

The following are questions that relate to minimising risk -

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* 27. Are you aware that the FRC Code of Conduct (2021) (section 24) states that “Farriers are advised not to commence or continue working with an animal if it is felt that the present temperament of the horse, or the conditions the horse is kept in, are unfavourable to a successful outcome and/or that the health and safety of the farrier or others, including the horse, may be compromised by proceeding.”

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* 28. Prior to starting work for a new client do you provide a ‘terms of business’ agreement?

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* 29. Prior to starting work for a new client, do you provide a terms of business agreement which asks the client to confirm whether the horse is known to be difficult during routine hoofcare appointments?

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* 30. Did you know the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 contain the requirement to carry out a `suitable and sufficient’ general assessment of risk?

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* 31. Do you carry out a risk assessment prior to commencing work?

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* 32. Do you wear PPE? (please tick all that apply)

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* 33. Do you have personal injury insurance?

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* 34. Have you recommended to a client that a horse be sedated prior to you commencing hoofcare?

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* 35. If yes, is your recommendation generally accepted?

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* 36. If the owner/client does not want the horse sedated, what was the main reason for the owner/client declining?

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* 37. If the owner/client declines horse sedation, what is usually the outcome?

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* 38. Please use the space below to provide any further details you may wish to include –

Thank you for the time you have taken to complete this survey.
If you have any comments or questions regarding this survey or the campaign please email claire@forgepr.co.uk or call 07747 602978.

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