The 8 week ELPO farrier course offers theory and practical training for the student to develop entry level farrier skills as well as an introduction to lameness treatment and basic therapeutic shoeing.

The curriculum is built around the hoof care principles developed by Farrier Gene Ovnicek, and includes the most current research on hoof science.  ELPO members and instructors stay up to date on the latest research and developments in the trade, and pass that on to students.  We take pride that our graduates will leave school at the forefront of the industry when it comes to understanding the science of hoofcare.

The classroom lessons incorporate a variety of materials and methods. Textbooks, DVD’s,  articles, PowerPoint, discussion with real hoof and skeletal models, and so on.  Occasionally guest lecturers may speak to the class on specific topics or offer training in special skills.

The course includes a mixture of classroom, forge work, live horse trimming and shoeing in the ELPO facility as well as in the field in real life ranch settings.  Most days will consist of a mixture of classroom and hands-on work.  Some days the class will be in the field all day.

We value the horses that come to us for student work. Their welfare comes first.  Therefore, a few cadaver hooves will be used at several times in the course, during introductions to new skills in order to help insure that live horses are not harmed in the early learning curve.

In forging lessons, students will develop tool handling skills by learning to hand forge a few basic tools such as hoof picks, punches, and pritchels. Students will progress to making basic horse shoes from scratch as well as modifying several types of factory shoes to meet ELPO protocols.  Students will learn to make everyday common shoe modifications such as clips, nail holes, apply traction devices, and forge welding bar shoes.

Regular quizzes and tests will assess the advancement of the student throughout the course to help the instructor assist the individual student and work on his or her weak areas.

In order to earn their “Certificate of Completion”, the student will be required to do the following by the end of the course:

• Present required shoe specimens (some hand made and some modified factory shoes), to demonstrate competency in specific forging skills.

• Successfully complete an in-depth written exam with a passing score of at least 70%.

• Pass a practical exam shoeing one live horse within a time limit with graded elements, using one pair of handmade shoes and one pair of factory Natural Balance or comparable shoes, and one pair of pads and clips.