Farrier Course

Lesson 1 • Equine Lower Limb Anatomy

Covers bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments from the fetlock to the ground. Provides the anatomical context required for evaluating conformation and movement.

Lesson 2 • Hoof Growth and Physiology

Explains the rate, direction, and factors influencing hoof wall growth. Connects growth physiology to trimming intervals and shoeing schedules.

Lesson 3 • Internal Hoof Anatomy

Examines bones, cartilages, tendons, and the digital cushion within the hoof capsule. Understanding internal structures prevents injury during trimming and nail placement.

Lesson 4 • The Farrier's Professional Role

Defines the farrier's scope of practice, ethical responsibilities, and collaboration with veterinarians. Establishes professional standards that guide all subsequent technical work.

Lesson 1 • Essential Farrier Hand Tools

Identifies hoof knives, nippers, rasps, pullers, and clinchers by type and function. Correct tool selection directly affects trim quality and efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Tool Maintenance and Sharpening

Teaches sharpening hoof knives and rasps and maintaining forge equipment. Sharp, well-maintained tools improve precision and reduce physical strain on the farrier.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment

Specifies required PPE including aprons, gloves, eye protection, and steel-toed boots. Consistent PPE use is enforced as a non-negotiable standard throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Forge and Power Tools

Introduces the gas forge, anvil, hammers, and hardy tools used in hot shoeing. Safe operation of heat-producing equipment is foundational to all metalwork chapters.

Lesson 1 • Safe Approach and Haltering

Demonstrates correct approach angles, halter fitting, and lead rope management. Proper haltering is the first physical control step before any hoof work begins.

Lesson 2 • Equine Behavior and Communication

Explains herd dynamics, flight instinct, and body language signals horses use. Reading equine behavior allows farriers to anticipate reactions and adjust approach accordingly.

Lesson 3 • Working with Difficult Horses

Addresses strategies for horses that kick, pull away, or refuse to stand. Systematic desensitization and patience reduce long-term handling problems.

Lesson 4 • Restraint Devices and Sedation Awareness

Covers twitches, stocks, and leg straps as supplemental restraint options. Farriers must recognize when veterinary sedation is appropriate and how to work alongside it.

Lesson 1 • Observing the Horse in Motion

Teaches trot-up evaluation, tracking, and identifying gait irregularities from the ground. Dynamic observation reveals breakover, landing pattern, and limb interference issues.

Lesson 2 • Static Hoof Balance Assessment

Covers mediolateral and dorsopalmar balance evaluation using hoof gauges and visual reference. Static balance assessment forms the baseline for every trim plan.

Lesson 3 • Hoof Measurement Techniques

Introduces measuring toe length, heel height, and hoof angle with calipers and protractors. Precise measurements enable consistent trimming and objective progress tracking.

Lesson 4 • Documenting Hoof Condition

Establishes a standardized record-keeping system for hoof photos, measurements, and notes. Accurate records support continuity of care and communication with veterinarians.

Lesson 1 • Trimming Frequency and Scheduling

Establishes guidelines for trim intervals based on growth rate, use, and environment. Consistent scheduling maintains balance and prevents pathological hoof changes.

Lesson 2 • Nipping and Initial Shaping

Demonstrates correct nipper placement, cutting angle, and sequential wall reduction. Controlled nipping sets the foundation for a balanced, level bearing surface.

Lesson 3 • Preparing the Hoof for Trimming

Covers cleaning, initial inspection, and identifying excess growth before cutting begins. Thorough preparation prevents errors and reveals hidden pathology early.

Lesson 4 • Sole and Frog Preparation

Teaches conservative sole paring and frog trimming to remove dead tissue only. Preserving live sole and frog depth protects internal structures during work.

Lesson 1 • Horseshoe Types and Materials

Surveys steel, aluminum, and synthetic shoe options by weight, width, and intended use. Correct shoe selection is the first decision in every shoeing job.

Lesson 2 • Nailing Technique and Clinching

Teaches driving nails with consistent angle, cutting clinches, and finishing with a clinch block. Tight, smooth clinches prevent shoe loosening and hoof wall damage.

Lesson 3 • Cold Fitting and Shaping

Demonstrates adjusting shoe shape with a hammer and anvil without heat. Cold fitting skills allow field adjustments when forge access is unavailable.

Lesson 4 • Nail Selection and Placement

Covers nail sizes, head profiles, and the correct nail line for safe placement. Proper nail placement avoids sensitive structures and ensures secure shoe retention.

Lesson 1 • Punching Nail Holes

Demonstrates pritchel and punch use to create correctly spaced and angled nail holes. Nail hole placement in hot shoes must match the planned nail line on the hoof.

Lesson 2 • Hot Fitting to the Hoof

Applies the heated shoe to the hoof surface to identify high spots and achieve full contact. Hot fitting produces a more precise seat than cold fitting alone.

Lesson 3 • Forge Operation and Heat Management

Covers lighting, temperature control, and safe shutdown of a gas forge. Consistent heat management is the prerequisite for all subsequent metalworking skills.

Lesson 4 • Drawing and Shaping Steel

Teaches hammer techniques for drawing, spreading, and bending hot steel on the anvil. Controlled hammer work translates heat into precise shoe geometry.

Lesson 1 • Thrush, White Line Disease, and Abscesses

Identifies bacterial and fungal hoof infections and the correct debridement and treatment approach. Farriers must recognize infection limits and refer to veterinarians appropriately.

Lesson 2 • Hoof Cracks and Wall Defects

Classifies toe, quarter, and heel cracks by depth and cause, and applies stabilization techniques. Crack repair prevents progression into sensitive structures.

Lesson 3 • Navicular Syndrome Shoeing

Explains the biomechanical basis of navicular pain and the role of breakover and heel elevation. Shoeing modifications reduce deep digital flexor tendon tension and palmar pain.

Lesson 4 • Corrective Shoeing for Gait Faults

Addresses forging, interfering, and stumbling through breakover adjustment and shoe modifications. Gait fault correction requires integrating conformation assessment with shoeing strategy.