THE Irish Master Farriers Association (IMFA) released some guidance this week for their members to follow during the Covid-19 crisis.

It recommends that farriers should cease work with the exception where the welfare of an animal is seriously compromised until April 12th.

If farriers need to attend an animal, HSE hygiene and social distancing guidelines should be followed at all times.

Farriers should keep a record of what yards they have been to for contact tracing, should they or someone in a yard they have been to becomes ill.

It has developed a traffic light system all farriers should follow:

Red: Do not attend non crucial foot care appointments.

Amber Extend foot care cycles without detriment to the welfare of the animal.

Green Attend crucial cases where if left it would cause serious detrimental effects on the animal and its welfare.