Approval as Farrier
Approved farriers are part of animal health personnel and may work on anesthetized and sedated horses and perform certain surgical interventions and treatments. To become an approved farrier, special training and approval from the Swedish Board of Agriculture are required.
It is also possible to work as a farrier without approval, but then the treatment prohibition applies and not all types of interventions may be performed. Approved farriers must follow rules on record-keeping, certification, confidentiality, and reporting obligations and practice the profession according to science and proven experience.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Approved farrier: Requires special training and approval from the Swedish Board of Agriculture. May work on anesthetized/sedated horses and perform surgical interventions.
- Education paths in Sweden: 3-year vocational university education, basic education + supplementary education, long professional experience + supplementary education, or journeyman's certificate + supplementary education.
- Without approval: No specific training required, but treatment prohibition applies. Must not delay veterinary care.
- EU/EEA/Switzerland: Difficult to assess in advance whether foreign training leads to approval due to differences in countries' systems.
- Outside EU/EEA/Switzerland: The Swedish Board of Agriculture cannot say in advance whether specific training can lead to approval.
Application and Supervision
- Application: Made via the Swedish Board of Agriculture's e-service. All documents must be clear and easy to read.
- Language requirements: Swedish language skills required for record-keeping and to access Swedish legislation.
- Register: The Swedish Board of Agriculture maintains a register of approved farriers.
- Supervision: County Administrative Board is the supervisory authority.
- Responsibility board: The Responsibility Board for Animal Health and Medical Care investigates malpractice and decides on disciplinary measures.