E.L.P.O. Barefoot Hoofcare - Skills Course (3 Day) - Barefoot trimming as a specialized profession has grown in popularity over the last 15 years, with many people finding it to be a very fulfilling, full-time career. For many others, learning the skills required to perform basic hoof care maintenance on their own horses is all they desire. Regardless of your end goals, this course is designed to give beginner, novice & even seasoned trimmers detailed hands-on training necessary for maintaining barefoot horses. We will focus on recognizing foot types & their needs, how to deal with distortions, and how to trim feet in a safe & effective manner. You will not only learn what to trim and how to trim, but also important skills regarding body positioning, horse comfort and effective tool usage. This is an excellent opportunity to build and fine tune your skills, as well as improve the proficiency & quality of your work. If certification is also important as a future goal, this course also qualifies as a certification preparatory course.
Topics Covered During the Course
- Basic equine lower limb anatomy
- Leverages on the hoof capsule and its possible effects
- Recognizing distortions in the hoof & reading hoof tissue
- Cadaver hoof trimming & dissections
- Body Positioning & Tool usage, i.e. hoof knives, nippers, rasps, etc.
Course Begins at 9:00 AM and will run until 5:00 PM each of the 3 days (Thursday - Saturday).
~ Course Schedule Overview Listed Below ~
What’s Included in the Course
- 3 Day Hands-On Course (Thursday-Saturday)
- Study Materials (& loaner tools if none are purchased or owned)
- Hands-on with Cadaver Feet
- Hoof and Limb Dissections
- Lunch Daily
- *Basic or Premium Tool Packages available at Discount Rate (Optional)
Course Costs & *Options
- 3 Day Barefoot Trim Couse Tuition - EARLYBIRD (ELPO Member): $575
- 3 Day Barefoot Trim Couse Tuition - (ELPO Member): $650
- 3 Day Barefoot Trim Couse Tuition - EARLYBIRD (Non-Member): $650
- 3 Day Barefoot Trim Couse Tuition - (Non-Member): $725
- *Basic Tool Package (see details below): $275
- *Premium Tool Package (see details below): $845
- ***Check out E.L.P.O. Membership Options to SAVE $75 Off Course Tuition
- ****EARLYBIRD Discount usually ENDS 4 Weeks Prior to the Start of the Course
Available Tool Packages
Basic = $280 ($312 Retail Value)
- Double S “Rhino” Hoof Knife ($46 value)
- Double S “Loop” Hoof Knife ($49 value)
- Nordic Forge 14” Race Semi-Polished Nippers ($98 value)
- Bellota Classic 14” Rasp ($28 value)
- Equithotics or Wooden Rasp Handle ($10 value)
- JH Forge Hoof Evaluator/Divider ($80 value)
Premium = $870 ($969 Retail Value)
- JH Forge Hoof Knife with Pick ($90 value)
- Double S “Loop” Hoof Knife ($49 value)
- Kahn Forge Race Nippers ($200 value)
- Save Edge or similar 14” Rasp ($31 value)
- Equithotics or Wooden Rasp Handle ($10 value)
- JH Forge Hoof Evaluator/Divider ($80 value)
- Farrier Apron/Chaps [Badger Built, EDSS or Other] ($305 value)
- HoofJack™ Hoof Stand ($204 value)
**Package products may be substituted and prices may change without notice. Current market prices will be used over those listed above if there are differences.
Schedule of Events
Day 1: (9:00 AM Start)
Morning:
- Introductions
- Anatomy and Biomechanics Lecture
- Hoof Grading & Mapping demo and practice until lunch
Afternoon:
- Hoof Grading & Mapping until end of day
Day 2: (9:00 AM Start)
Morning:
- Demo & Hands-On Exfoliation
- Mapping lecture
- Map Exfoliated Feet
- Cut/Dissect Exfoliated Feet for evaluating accuracy and sole depth
Afternoon:
- Lectures on trimming distortions
- Drawing Feet Lecture
- Begin trimming distortions on cadavers
Day 3: (9:00 AM Start)
- Lectures (Topic TBD based on needs of students)
- Trim Cadavers all day (work on efficiency and accuracy)
*Final Schedule & Times Subject to Change Slightly
Check the UPCOMING EVENTS page for scheduled course dates
For more information:
Contact: Cody
Phone: 719-372-7299
Email: tech@lamenessprevention.org