Workshop-related questions

Where does the Workshop take place?

Unlike our longer and much more intensive Hoof Care for Horse Owners Workshop, these Workshops are designed to be offered at practically any location provided certain hosting conditions can be met. Please see the Hosting a Workshop section farther down this page for hosting requirements.

What does the Workshop consist of?

This Workshop consists of a half-day of lectures and a half-day of hands-on trimming, including a trim demonstration on a live horse, That’s 4 hours of multimedia classroom instruction, 3 hours of hands-on trimming practice on cadaver hooves, and a 1-hour live trim demonstration with question/answer period.

What trimming philosophy do you advocate, and why?

Our trimming philosophy is remarkably simple in concept: We adhere to the principles so clearly demonstrated in Nature on the hooves of feral horses in their aboriginal environment, which yield optimal hoof function & form. Through understanding how and why these forces shape the hooves of the feral horse as they do, we’re able to replicate their effects on the hooves of our domestic horse and produce strong, healthy feet. We don’t consider this to be a trimming “style” – we consider it the only proper way to trim every horse’s hooves. And the short- and long-term benefits of this logical, consistent-with-Nature approach to hoof care has now been recognized by people the world over for more than 20 years.

Will I be trimming live horses during the Workshop?

No, for several reasons. First of all, a large number of horses would be necessary to give each student a reasonable trimming experience. Second, keeping students – and horses – simultaneously safe would require a large number of instructors and handlers. And third, most people find it challenging enough to learn how to properly use the tools without the added complications of managing a live horse. To circumvent these potential issues, we use cadaver legs, stored frozen, to teach trimming; it allows students to stay safe while learning how to handle the tools, gives them the opportunity to see and trim more hooves than would be practically possible using only live horses, and prevents any possible harm to live horses.

Will I be able to trim my own horse after attending this Workshop?

Probably not. It takes much longer than a few hours of instruction to know how to correctly trim! But you should be able to identify if your horse is currently being properly trimmed, have an appreciation for the trimming process, and perhaps be able to begin maintaining your horse’s hooves between professional trims. And after experiencing this Workshop, you’ll no doubt have a clearer understanding of what’s involved in trimming and whether or not you want to pursue a more complete hoof care education. If so, consider attending our four-day Hoof Care for Horse Owners Workshop; you’ll receive a discount off the cost equal to what you’ve already paid for this Workshop!

Hosting a Workshop

Interested in hosting one of our one-day An Introduction to Hoof Care Workshops? Here are the things you’ll need to consider.

Cadaver legs

This is probably the most challenging requirement, so we’ve listed it first. Given the high cost of shipping frozen equine cadaver legs, which are both fairly heavy and must be shipped overnight to keep them frozen, it makes much more sense to find a local source. This can be very difficult, and we will work with the host to locate a source at a reasonable cost. Depending on the location, time of year, and timing of obtaining the legs, the host may have to provide a means for keeping them frozen between delivery and the start of the Workshop, and must also provide a way to dispose of them at the conclusion of the Workshop.

Horse for live trim demonstration

The selected horse must have reasonably-normal feet and be well-mannered for hoof care.

Minimum number of students

The price for the Workshop is currently fixed at $300 per student (plus cadaver leg costs), with the half-day Theory Only option available for $100 per student. To ensure our teaching & travel costs are covered, we will determine a minimum number of students necessary to conduct a Workshop at a given location.

Maximum number of students

To maintain the quality of instruction and provide adequate one-on-one assistance, we accept a maximum of twelve (12) students per Workshop. There is no upper limit to the number of Theory Only students.

Registration, advertising, & host benefits

We will provide registration on this website, and advertising on this website and on Facebook. The host is expected to do local/regional advertising as well. As long as the minimum number of students has registered, not counting the host, the host will not have to pay to attend the Workshop. The host will, however, count toward the maximum number of students accepted.

Facilities

Because the Workshop has three distinct components (lectures, cadaver trimming, live trimming demonstration) with somewhat different requirements, two to three different spaces may be necessary. All three need access to on-site bathroom facilities.

• The lecture space must comfortably seat all students, preferably with tables or other writing surfaces. There must be electricity available for a projector and computer, and space to set up a projection screen. Depending on the location and time of year, the space may also need to be heated or air-conditioned.
• The trimming space must comfortably seat all students, and must have an easily-swept floor to allow hoof trimmings to be removed. There must be adequate light and ventilation. Alternatively, depending on the location and time of year, trimming can take place outside but may require a space protected from the elements.
• The live trim demonstration space must have adequate, distraction-free space for instructors, students, and horse to safely work/observe. Depending on the location and time of year, the live trim demonstration can take place outside but may require a space protected from the elements.

Lunch

There is a one-hour lunch break scheduled into the Workshop. There are several options for lunch, and the choice is largely up to the host:

• If there is a restaurant located close to the Workshop venue, students and instructors could eat there as a group
• The host could provide lunch to students and instructors on-site for purchase
• Students and instructors could bring their own food with them to the Workshop venue, which would possibly require providing refrigeration

We will work with the host to determine the best option, and include it in our advertising.

More  questions? See options for contacting us on the Contact Us page. We’re here to help!