The Persecution of Ben Street

Recently, barefoot trimmer Ben Street was convicted under the British Animal Welfare Act for causing unnecessary suffering to a horse. According to the prosecution, Street had over-rasped and bevelled the hoofs causing pain. The prosecution was brought by the FRC (the Farriers’ Registration Council) and the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to […]

Give me a reason to shoe…

…and I’ll give you two reasons not to. There are so many arguments why a horse should be shod – but really they are all excuses. And there is no excuse for this continuing mediæval practice. In most western countries there are laws protecting animals against cruelty, unnatural and unnecessary practices – and yet none […]