Man convicted of shoeing horses illegally

A man from Hartlepool has admitted carrying out illegal farriery on a horse at a livery yard in Billingham, Stockton-on Tees.

Jonathan Lavelle, of Elwick, admitted the offence, which took place on 5 April, when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on 27 September.

Mr Lavelle was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £300 costs.

Under the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, it is a criminal offence for anyone other than a registered farrier, apprentice or vet to shoe a horse.

The Farriers Registration Council said it would continue to prosecute illegal farriers when there was sufficient evidence to do so.

A spokesman said: “Unregistered persons engaging in farriery are breaking the law.

“Any horse owner choosing to use an unregistered person may compromise the welfare of their horse and could incur additional shoeing bills to correct the effects of poor workmanship”