Equine professionals: vet, farrier, dentist, physio and saddle fitter

Keeping a horse sound and comfortable takes a team. Most owners rely on at least a vet, a farrier or trimmer, someone for teeth and a saddle fitter, and many add a physio or other bodyworker. Knowing who does what – and where one person's job ends and another's begins – saves money and protects your horse.

The BHS Stage 2 syllabus lists worming, vaccinations, teeth and shoeing or trimming as the routine health procedures every groom should understand (BHS Stage 2 Care). Each one needs the right professional.

At a glance

Professional	Main job	How often (as a starting point)
Vet	Diagnosis, treatment, vaccinations, sedation, emergencies	At least an annual health check, plus as needed
Farrier or hoof trimmer	Trimming, shoeing, hoof balance	Shod horses checked at least every six weeks in Victoria's Code
Equine dentist or vet	Routine dental checks and rasping	At least once a year
Physio or bodyworker	Rehabilitation and musculoskeletal support, alongside the vet	As advised by your vet
Saddle fitter	Saddle fit and adjustment	About every six months

The sections below explain where these figures come from.

The vet

Your vet is the only person who can diagnose and treat disease. Victoria's Code sets a minimum standard that anyone supervising a horse must have access to a registered vet to diagnose and treat serious illness or injury (Code of Practice). New Zealand's Code recommends an annual health check by a vet (MPI Code of Welfare).

The Australian Veterinary Association lists the work it says should be done only by registered vets. That includes diagnosing and treating disease and injury, invasive or surgical procedures, giving anaesthetics, prescribing restricted medicines, microchipping horses, stomach tubing, and any dental procedure using power tools (AVA – restricted acts of veterinary science). The AVA also notes that the law on which procedures are restricted varies between states and territories.

Call the vet for: vaccinations, illness, wounds, lameness, colic, sedation, pre-purchase exams, and a yearly check-up. See signs of a healthy horse for when not to wait, and horse vaccinations.

Tip: find an equine vet before you need one, and ask whether they offer after-hours emergency cover.

The farrier or hoof trimmer

Hoof care is a legal welfare requirement in both countries. Victoria's Code sets a minimum standard that hooves must be maintained to allow normal movement and keep hoof shape and function (Code of Practice). It also recommends that:

• Shoeing is done only by experienced farriers, and shoeing or trimming shouldn't cause abnormal gait or conformation.
• Shod horses are inspected at least every six weeks for replacement or adjustment of shoes.
• Loose shoes and risen clenches (nail ends) are removed promptly.

New Zealand's Code recommends regular care from a qualified and competent hoof care professional, and warns that trimming or shoeing by people without adequate training in equine anatomy and hoof care can cause lameness and lasting damage. It notes the best trimming interval depends on age, season, nutrition, management and the state of the hoof, and that whether a horse is shod, left unshod or given a barefoot trim depends on the individual horse and its work (MPI Code of Welfare).

Call the farrier for: routine trims or shoeing, a lost or loose shoe, and uneven or cracked feet. If a horse is lame, call your vet first – a farrier and vet often work together on foot problems. See shoeing and trimming.

Find a farrier near you on horse.work.

The equine dentist

Horses' teeth need regular attention. Victoria's Code recommends teeth are checked at least once a year by someone skilled and experienced in equine dentistry, more often for young, stable-fed and aged horses (Code of Practice). New Zealand's Code recommends teeth are examined and treated as needed, but at least annually (MPI Code of Welfare).

Vet or equine dental technician?

In Australia, many owners use a non-vet equine dental technician for routine work. The AVA's position is that hand filing and rasping can be done by a person with an appropriate Certificate IV qualification, but power tools, extractions, anything below the gum line and sedation are vet work. It recommends a vet directly supervises and provides sedation when a lay dental provider rasps a horse's teeth (AVA – restricted acts).

In New Zealand, the animal welfare regulations summarised in the Code restrict tooth extraction: only a vet can extract teeth other than wolf teeth and finger-loose baby teeth, and wolf teeth may only be removed under vet-authorised pain relief (MPI Code of Welfare).

Victoria's Code also sets a minimum standard that no one should attempt a dental procedure they aren't competent to do (Code of Practice). Ask any provider about their training, and whether they work with a vet for sedation.

More detail in horse dental care. Find an equine dentist near you on horse.work.

The physio or bodyworker

Physiotherapists and other bodyworkers can help with rehabilitation after injury, stiffness and performance issues. Their role sits alongside the vet's, not instead of it. Diagnosis is a veterinary act (AVA – restricted acts), so a sore back or change in way of going needs a vet to rule out other causes first.

New Zealand's Code makes the same point from the horse's side: ridden horses can develop muscular and back pain, which may show as behaviour that looks like disobedience, and a vet should assess the horse for pain before other corrections are tried (MPI Code of Welfare). The same Code says anyone using alternative therapies must make sure they don't harm the horse.

Good practice: ask your vet for a referral, choose a practitioner with recognised animal training and insurance, and make sure they report back to your vet.

Find an equine physio near you on horse.work.

The saddle fitter

A horse's shape changes with age, fitness, season and weight. The BHS recommends having a saddle checked by a qualified saddle fitter at least twice a year, and after any change in the horse's shape or work (BHS – saddle fit). Victoria's Code says saddlery should fit correctly and recommends professional advice on fitting (Code of Practice).

In Australia, the Australian Saddle Fitters Association lists its fitters online (ASFA – find a saddle fitter). See our saddle fitting guide for the checks you can do between visits.

Browse saddleries near you on horse.work.

When problems overlap

Many problems need more than one professional. A horse that is head-shy to bridle could have dental pain, a poorly fitting bridle or a sore back. A horse that is short in its stride might need the vet, then the farrier and then a physio. Good professionals talk to each other – give them permission to share notes, and keep your own horse health records of every visit.

How to find and choose a professional

• Ask locally. Your vet, Pony Club, riding club or agistment centre will know who works in your area.
• Check qualifications. Ask about training, membership of a professional association and insurance.
• Ask how they work with others. A dentist who works with a vet for sedation, or a physio who reports to your vet, is a good sign.
• Book ahead. Set reminders for routine visits so they don't slip.
• Budget for them. See the cost of owning a horse for typical spending categories.

FAQ

Who should I call first if my horse is lame?

Your vet. Lameness can have many causes, and diagnosis is a vet's job (AVA – restricted acts). The vet may then work with your farrier.

How often does a horse need the farrier?

It depends on the horse. Victoria's Code recommends shod horses are inspected at least every six weeks (Code of Practice). Your farrier will set an interval based on growth and wear.

Can an equine dentist sedate my horse?

In Australia, the AVA says sedation is a vet's job and recommends a vet supervises and sedates when a lay dental provider is working (AVA – restricted acts).

How often should my saddle be checked?

The BHS recommends at least twice a year (BHS – saddle fit), and whenever your horse changes shape.

Do I need a vet referral for a physio?

Getting your vet involved first is good practice, because diagnosing the cause of pain or lameness is a veterinary act (AVA – restricted acts).