The Irish Cattle Foot Trimmers Association has formed a register with the aim of permitting its members to have an ever-increasing share in the craft of trimming cows’ feet. The Association has done so in order to protect the public and their animals against incompetent persons in the interests of animal welfare, and not in order to confer financial or other benefits upon members of the craft.
The standard set by the Association is the Five-Step Method or equivalent method, with its high proven technical skill.
To attain the required standard as set by the association a member will be required to:
| Category | Description |
| Category 1 | Course trained in five-step method and attends a Check Day every two years, with Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent, to maintain Category 1 Status. |
| Category 2 | Course trained in five-step method, with Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent and lapsed in attending the required Check Day to maintain Category 1 Status. (Category 1 Status can be regained by attending Check Day) |
| Category 3 | Course trained, attend annual Check Day and strive to pass Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent within 4 years before Category 1 is achieved. |
| Category 4 | Course trained, newly completed valid for 2 years, awaiting completion of 2 Check Day before moving to complete their Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent. |
* Course trained- a recognised Five- Step Method Hoof Trimming course or equivalent recognised by the Association.
* Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent – course recognised by the Association.
It is assumed that all active hoof trimmers will undertake to achieve Category 1 Status, if a category 3 hoof trimmer fails to achieve Category 1 within 3 attempts, they will be removed from the ICFTA list of registered hoof trimmers. Any hoof trimmer that has been removed for this reason will have the opportunity to appeal this decision to the executive committee.
* Course trained- a recognised Five- Step Method Hoof Trimming course or equivalent recognised by the Association.
* Certificate of Competence in Hoof Trimming or equivalent – course recognised by the Association.
It is assumed that all active hoof trimmers will undertake to achieve Category 1 Status, if a category 3 hoof trimmer fails to achieve Category 1 within 3 attempts, they will be removed from the ICFTA list of registered hoof trimmers. Any hoof trimmer that has been removed for this reason will have the opportunity to appeal this decision to the executive committee.
Any hoof trimmer who has not attended a Five-Step Hoof Trimming Course or recognised equivalent but considers themselves “qualified by experience” will have to opportunity to appeal to executive committee for exemption from these criteria in order to attain Category 3 status. A hoof trimmer can consider themselves to be qualified by experience if they have at least 4 years’ experience as a commercial hoof trimmer. A hoof trimmer must complete a Check Day with the ICFTA approved training provider before deemed a full member, will not appear on the website, and will remain an associate member until completed. Any hoof trimmer who receives this exemption can then undertake to achieve Category 1 Status. A new member may be required to undertake a beginners Five-Step course if deemed necessary by the training provider.
Examiners, and Instructors must demonstrate a high standard of professionalism, and be aware of ethical issues (such as biases, and vested interest), and remove themselves from it.
Yearly membership of €150 is due no later than January 31st each year. A late payment fee will apply thereafter of €200.
A Membership Non-Check Day fee applies to a member on their 3rd year of not attending a Check Day, they must pay upfront for both Membership of €150 + Check Day fee of €250 in January. The €400 fee will remain in place until a Check Day is completed by the member.
The Executive Committee of the Association has power to act in two types of cases:
In any such case the Executive Committee may, at its discretion, direct that the trimmer’s name shall be removed from the register, or that registration shall be suspended for a stated period. This means that he/she cannot then legally work as an Association foot trimmer.
The Association is very much concerned about conduct which, while not serious enough to warrant the description of serious misconduct in a professional respect, is nonetheless unethical. This means that the trimmer or any member has in some way fallen short of the standards of behaviour normally to be expected of good trimmer. It may involve a failure in courtesy or service towards a member of the public or to a fellow, trimmer. It may involve a failure to observe certain standards which the craft has set itself as. Unethical behaviour includes the failure of a trimmer to attend without delay to an animal which has developed a painful foot condition after he/she has trimmed it. The association believes that in such a case the trimmer should make it his/her first priority to attend the animal to take the necessary steps to relieve, the pain and to call in a Veterinary Surgeon if treatment goes beyond the limits of first aid. Once the trimmer has undertaken to trim an animal, he/she should not then abandon it without good reason and without safeguarding its welfare. While unethical conduct may not normally be a matter for the Executive Committee, it may be the subject for discussion between the trimmer concerned and the Executive Committee. As stated above, Association-registered trimmers trim cattle, not for their particular benefit, but in order that the public and its animals may be protected against incompetent unqualified trimmers. The public are becoming more aware of the privilege thus conferred and increasingly sensitive to the performance and standards of registered foot trimmers. It is for each trimmer to continue to maintain high standards of work and conduct. It is also of the utmost importance that registered foot trimmers should conduct their business affairs in an orderly manner to deliver a reliable service. Frequent failure to keep appointments results in serious inconvenience to cattle owners and does not reflect well on the Association.
The discreet advertising of name, address and telephone number, and the publishing of collective schemes for giving information to the public about the whereabouts of trimming services are perfectly acceptable.
The Association approves of trimmers advertising with the appropriate category number (1-4) to secure clients or to gain reputation, and the distribution of leaflets at shows, markets, and competitions, by trimmers advertising their services. Advertising using the status of registered trimmers to promote other services offered by the trimmer is not acceptable.
All members of the ICFTA should be aware that their activities in the capacity as animal health professional are regulated by the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 and any amendments, additions or requirements arising out of the act. All members should be familiar with the general principals and regulations of this act and the penalties that can apply for not complying with it and its associated regulations. The ICFTA will continue to inform its members arising from their communication with the Department of Agriculture of any updates to legislation that may affect its members.
All Association members are solely responsible for their own public liability, equipment care of custody of animal insurance both in the workplace and at any Association activities such as Open Days/ Lameness Events. A bovine hoof therapist or his employer shall have adequate insurance against losses arising from claims in respect of civil liability incurred arising from: