COURSE DESCRIPTION

Equine practitioners are regularly exposed to various and sometimes contradicting opinions on farriery and especially on therapeutic shoeing.  The fact that new graduates go into practice with minimal training in farriery and shoeing only exacerbates the problem and leaves practitioners grappling with this contentious subject.

This practical course approaches the subject in a scientific and as objective way as possible by reporting established and recent, cutting-edge facts from scientifically sound clinical studies and aims to equip equine practitioners to have meaningful and informed discussions with their farriers.  

The following topics will be covered by the specialists through highly-illustrated lectures in English and there will be plenty of time available to ask questions and for debates:

Online Lectures available on-demand ahead of the Course:

• Functional Anatomy & Physiology of the Foot    
• Biomechanics of the Distal Limb & the Relationship between Stress and Shape
• Anatomy & ‘Physiology’ of a Horse Shoe
• Effect of Shoes on ‘normal’ Foot Function
• Foot Wounds:  Characteristics, Healing & Treatment
• Hoof Capsule Conditions – Infections, Cracks & Poor Wall Quality          

Lectures on location:

• Examination of the Foot – Veterinarian’s vs. Farrier’s Approach
• Hoof Capsule Distortion
• The Use of Composites
• Treatment options for lameness
• Laminitis & Various Types of Displacement
• Hoof Problems in Foals:  Corrective Shoeing for angular & flexural limb deformities
• Dynamic vs Static Balance - Considerations when using radiographs to determine balance

In the second day, 7 hours of practical sessions will give attendees plenty of opportunity to put theory into practice on live horses and limb specimens in small groups (2 vets per specimen) and to discuss all aspects of foot trimming, shoeing and farriery with the specialists.   Each attendee will be rotating through the following practical stations:

• Foot Examination on live Horses
• Preparing the Foot for Shoeing
• Shoeing Techniques
• Use of Radiography in Farriery
• Foot Casting Techniques
• Applying Wooden Shoes

The course fee includes coffee/tea breaks, a wine & cheese reception, lunch and a certificate of attendance. To participate in the Practical Sessions, attendees are required to have first worked through the online Lectures provided (included in the price). Early course registration is recommended as there are only a limited number of places available due to the highly practical nature of this course.