PAUL KING SHOCKS SURREY HORSE COMMUNITY WITH CRUELTY INCIDENT IN BETCHWORTH NEAR DORKING
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Surrey equestrian community, farrier Paul Darren King, aged 54, of The Hollies, Leigh Road, Betchworth near Dorking, has been found guilty of serious misconduct involving the abuse of a horse named DJ.The incident, which took place on 1 April 2024, was brought to light after CCTV footage revealed King striking the young gelding on the head with a hammer during a shoeing appointment.
Following a hearing held on 15 January 2025, the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) officially convicted King of misconduct that breaches professional standards.
As a result, he was suspended from practicing as a farrier for a period of six months.
This disciplinary action was taken after the council reviewed evidence that included the CCTV footage, which showed King’s troubling behavior towards DJ, a horse he had previously shod three or four times.
The horse’s owner, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her concerns with the publication Horse & Hound.
She explained that initially, she was present during the shoeing process and found King to be professional and gentle.
She trusted his expertise, as he had been working with her horse for some time.
However, on the day of the incident, she received a message from King indicating that DJ was acting up and that she needed to come to the yard.
When she arrived, King explained that DJ had been rearing and striking out, making it difficult to fit the shoes.
He claimed that DJ’s behavior had been escalating, and she expressed her surprise, noting that DJ was usually a calm Irish Draught horse.
She remarked, “I thought that was odd as he’s a laid-back Irish Draught but he said as soon as he walked towards DJ, he reared.
He said his behaviour had been escalating, and I said ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ I’d have done some groundwork with him if I’d known.” Concerned about her horse’s well-being, the owner decided to review CCTV footage from the yard.
The footage revealed a troubling scene: DJ moving away multiple times as King attempted to shoe a hind foot.
The video then showed King walking towards DJ’s head, holding a hammer, and striking him.
The owner described her shock, saying, “It was the way he walked to his box, walked back, held his head still and then hit him.
He was just shuffling, like baby horses do.
And then he lied to me about his behaviour.” The following day, a groom noticed that DJ was behaving unusually.
Upon inspection, she discovered a swelling on DJ’s head approximately 10 centimeters in diameter, confirming that the horse had been injured.
The owner promptly contacted King, informing him that his services were no longer required.
They later spoke on 5 April, during which King apologized, admitting that he had reacted impulsively and in the heat of the moment.
He also agreed to cover DJ’s veterinary expenses.
During the disciplinary hearing, King’s initial comments were read out.
He admitted, “...I am ashamed to say that I did hit DJ with my hammer, it was a spur of the moment out-of-character error of judgement.” He acknowledged that striking DJ with a hammer was unnecessary and constituted excessive force.
The veterinarian who examined DJ found no clinical effects from the blow, indicating that the injury was superficial and did not cause lasting harm.
The FRC’s report highlighted that King’s behavior was reckless and involved a degree of premeditation, as he held DJ’s head and struck him with the hammer instead of walking away from the situation.
His representative at the hearing accepted that his actions amounted to serious misconduct in a professional context.
In mitigation, the panel noted that this was a single, isolated incident in an otherwise unblemished 38-year career as a farrier.
They also considered the numerous references submitted by clients, all of whom were aware of the proceedings, and appreciated King’s honesty and remorse.
He had taken steps to prevent future incidents, such as having a second person present when dealing with difficult horses.
The panel viewed his remorse as genuine and considered him sincerely ashamed of his actions.
Ultimately, the committee decided to suspend King for six months, during which he is prohibited from performing any work related to shoeing, including fitting and nailing shoes, under the Farriers Registration Act.
However, the suspension does not restrict him from trimming hooves.
The decision underscores the seriousness with which the council regards animal welfare and professional conduct in the equine industry.
