Good basic barefoot courses?

[Em 1]

I've had my horse barefoot for several months now and it's going really well. However, now I've established that he isn't going to suffer barefoot, I'd really like to know more about the barefoot trim. My farrier is very good but very busy so I have to know in advance when to 'demand' he trims my horse:o:) I learnt to ride/handle horses as an adult and I've always been around shod horses so my experience is purely based on a 'good' and a 'bad' shod hoof. At the moment I'm not sure whether my boy has over grown toes or whether he is showing natural hoof balance.

Can anyone give me any recommendations for barefoot courses including a little bit of basic hoof maintenance? I don't want to trim horse's hooves but I do want to be able to rasp a sharp edge and recognise a barefoot hoof in need of attention.

Many thanks for any help you can give me :)!

[Kerpug]

Can't help but i'd be interested to know too as my lad has been barefoot for 4 years and trimmed by farrier. he has brilliant feet so no need to go elsewhere and he can work on any surface.

But i'd be interested to learn more about the foot too :)

[Bay Mare]

I'm pretty sure that EPAUK were setting up some lectures for owners. Contact Senjj on here for info as she'll be able to tell you if they are or if I'm just talking rubbish :D

[Yann]

There are very few people running courses for owner trimmers at the moment, the ones that are available tend to be geared towards people working towards a qualification so they can take it up as a career.

If you just want a bit of background and to learn basic maintenance your best bet might be to see if you can locate a barefoot trimmer nearby who might be willing to help you, that's how I got started with it.

Another option, not that cheap, but way cheaper than a course, would be to look at this DVD set, I have it and it's a fantastic reference which would give you all the information you were after and more http://www.hoofrehab.com/underthehorse.htm

[Alibi]

You could try contacting Richard Vialls, he's based in Anglesey and held a few basic courses last year, he's an excellent EP and extremely knowledgable person when it comes to barefoot horses. Best to contact him for course content.

richard@unshod.co.uk or www.unshod.co.uk

[senjj]

I was going to post that link too! Richard is planning on running a few owner courses this year. He's an excellent EP and a brilliant teacher. What more do you need??!! :)

[Hannyhorse]

I know that the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry are now doing shorter, 3 day courses aimed at owners. However there are no dates for the UK up just yet, so you would have to watch this space! Take a look at www.equinepodiatry.net and look under '3 day course' which will tell you a little more about it. Failing that you could always do a 5 day course - there are plenty of people who go on these just to learn a bit more about hooves rather than actually wanting to qualify as a trimmer, so I am sure you would not be alone! :)

Hope that helps :)

[senjj]

The 5 day equine podiatry courses KC runs are aimed at practitioners so in the past the people who wanted to learn the basics came away feeling rather confused because KC was always teaching to the highest standard in the group (sometimes a vet or a farrier), which was never the level of the person attending for the first time without the aim of qualifying. It was the thing I used to get lots of complaints about. I would recommend people go on a course aimed specifically at owner-trimmers.

[Hannyhorse]

Senjj - that's a bit disingenuous of you, the 5 day foundation course offered by the IAEP is one of the few truly 'recognised' course available to UK owners, they can take this course as a single module simply just to learn more about equine foot function. I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of these courses and have found it invaluable (as a complete trimming novice not a Vet or Farrier ;) :p).

There was great diversity in terms of the level of knowledge / experience of the people on the course and everyone (without exception) felt that they took away a huge amount of knowledge, a real epithany moment was how one (professional) delegate described it.

I for one felt that KC actually pitched to the lowest common denominator (i.e. me ;)) rather than a supposed intellectual elite. I really cannot recommend this course highly enough to any horse owner who would like to learn more about the true structure & function of the equine foot. I really did have a great time! :D:D:D

Good luck with whatever course you decide to choose, there is so much to learn about the equine distal limb that it can sometimes seem so daunting :eek: :)

[senjj]

Just my experiences I'm afraid as course organiser. Remember I did it for 4 years and I saw a large amount of people go through the system. To be honest, I would hope that KC was teaching to the practitioners, bad enough that they have to do the same course 5 times over without each course being pitched to the lowest common denominator don't you think? This makes it an inappropriate course for people only wanting to trim their own horses. You partner is a DAEP I believe so I would expect you to have a good understanding of what is going on.

Are we not permitted to have a difference of opinion?

[Em 1]

Many thanks for all your replies. I have now bought a DVD from a member on the board which should give me an idea but I heard from Richard Vialls today and he confirmed that he will be running a course that sounds ideal for me so I'm looking forwards to it! Many thanks Alibi and Senjj for the recommendation! Maybe I can progress to the five day course after this?:)

[Hannyhorse]

Hi Em,

Just to let you know that there is now a 3 day course being held in Devon in April if you haven't already arranged something? Take a look at www.equinepodiatry.net and look under 3 day courses to find out more.

Hope you are enjoying the DVD! :)

[senjj]

I'm going to go one better.

This course is to be run by two of the most experienced EPs in the UK:

Whether shod or barefoot, this two-day course is aimed at horse owners who want to understand more about their horse’s feet and what they can do to help their farrier or hoof care practioner keep them healthy.

Saturday and Sunday 12th - 13th April 2008 at

Staverton Farm Liveries, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6PE

£60 per day including lunch

Day 1
How the hoof is structured
How it grows
How it functions
What influences healthy hooves
How to recognise and treat minor infections

Day 2
A hoof dissection
Live examples of typical hoof issues and how to
manage them


The lectures will be given by Jayne Hunt, a full time professional Equine Podiatrist and Chairman of the Equine Podiatry Association (UK).

Bookings can be made through Debbie Crosoer
07977 908572 or debbie@justhorsesense.co.uk

Day 1 can be attended independently. However, attendance of Day 2 requires Day 1 to have been completed first.

[Kerpug]

I'm going to go one better.

This course is to be run by two of the most experienced EPs in the UK:

Whether shod or barefoot, this two-day course is aimed at horse owners who want to understand more about their horse’s feet and what they can do to help their farrier or hoof care practioner keep them healthy.

Saturday and Sunday 12th - 13th April 2008 at

Staverton Farm Liveries, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6PE

£60 per day including lunch

Day 1
How the hoof is structured
How it grows
How it functions
What influences healthy hooves
How to recognise and treat minor infections

Day 2
A hoof dissection
Live examples of typical hoof issues and how to
manage them


The lectures will be given by Jayne Hunt, a full time professional Equine Podiatrist and Chairman of the Equine Podiatry Association (UK).

Bookings can be made through Debbie Crosoer
07977 908572 or debbie@justhorsesense.co.uk

Day 1 can be attended independently. However, attendance of Day 2 requires Day 1 to have been completed first.

Shame this one not nearer as doesn't break the bank !:D

[x.fat-pony.x]

Shame this one not nearer as doesn't break the bank !:D

Haha same, would love to go to a lecture/course round here :)

x

[senjj]

Well, Richard Vialls is based in Anglesea and he's running courses this year. You can get his details here: www.unshod.co.uk I know he's got something in the planning stage.