Farrier Short Course

The goals of the course are to emphasize the importance of the veterinarian / farrier relationship; to review the basics of hoof biomechanics and lower limb anatomy of the horse; to discuss balance and shoeing evaluation; to familiarize students with various types of horse shoes and their different uses.

The hands-on segment will provide farriers the opportunity to discuss hoof care and shoe fitting, while demonstrating necessary safety procedures while working around a horse. The farrier will also demonstrate and then supervise shoe removal and trimming by the students performed on dead limbs. Eight (8) AAEP student chapters per semester will be eligible to host the AAEP/AFA farrier short course, sponsored by Purina. Through Purina sponsorship, all travel and accommodation expenses for the veterinarian and farrier will be covered.

Applications may be mailed or faxed. All applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. A course instructor and farrier will be assigned after your application is accepted.

One-day courses will be held for 8 consecutive weekends (Saturdays). If the date you have chosen is in conflict with another student chapter wanting to host the short course the same day, the application that was received first will be awarded the short course on that date.

Short courses may be hosted by a chapter only once every other school year to allow all AAEP chapters the opportunity to participate.

To host the farrier short course seminar you must complete the following:

• Contact AAEP chapter advisor and determine a definite date and location to hold the short course. Keep in mind holidays and exam schedules. The senior class schedule should be given top priority, since it is their last opportunity for the course. Your advisor will be responsible for assisting your chapter with any necessary procedures involving scheduling arrangements of audio-visual equipment, anatomy laboratories and lecture halls. Your chapter advisor is strongly encouraged to attend the short course on its scheduled day.
• Submit your application to the AAEP office.
• Upon acceptance, create a small student farrier committee of two to three student members willing to assist in short course arrangements. Due to the course's requirements, it would be extremely hard for one person to be the sole organizer. All contact information regarding the course will be mailed to the student chapter president. If the current chapter president in office changes over the semester, it is the responsibility of the chapter to contact the AAEP office.
• Luke Ramsay, AAEP Student Programs Coordinator will provide you with contact information for both AAEP and AFA speakers by e-mail. Please contact these individuals promptly to follow up on any questions relating to the course.
• Working with your AAEP chapter advisor, gain access to dead horse research legs. It is preferred NOT to use live horses for student practice only demonstrations by farriers and veterinarians.
• Any costs incurred to host the short course beyond travel expenses for speakers, i.e.-printing costs, dead limbs, fees for lecture hall, food, etc., will be the sole responsibility of the host student chapter.