Hoofworks clinics are fun, flexible and very practical.
In the last five years we have had clinics and tours in Australia and New Zealand;
At home in OZ with a group from Riding for the Disabled
We have been to South Africa, Greece, France, Belgium and Switzerland;
Jens and Daniella Weber translate to German in Trogen, Switzerland
We work a lot in England, Scotland and Wales;
In Stirling Scotland with a beautiful Clydesdale filly
We have even been to Shetland to work on the Shetland ponies!
Fortunatly we had a week of beautiful weather
At present we plan to visit Europe and the UK twice each year.
We try to go wherever we are invited, even to small groups.
When we are at home (or in NZ) it is easy to fly or drive to a venue for just one weekend but in Europe we need to organise four to eight consecutive weekends to pay for our international travel without making the cost for each attendee too high.
We prefer to work with smaller groups to ensure a high level of contact and interaction.
Practical Clinics work well with six to twenty attendees.
Lecture formats, which focus more on theory, work with greater numbers.
Discussion sessions often work well in conjunction with a weekend beginners clinic to allow folk in your area to just hear about, and ask questions about, good, natural, hoofcare.
We welcome vets and farriers, even those who think we are a little odd because we do not use horseshoes, and trimmers from many different backgrounds…
We do NOT believe we have unique, or special knowledge that we wish to keep secret, rather we believe that truth and education should be open to all who wish to learn, or to learn more.
But we do make sure that Hoofworks clinics are great learning experiences!
'Up Close and Personal' instruction
The most popular format is the two-day “Beginners Clinic”.
This format covers:
Basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the Equine distal limb
Names and functions of the parts of the hoof capsule
Even the theory lessons are fun
Basic trimming techniques
Basic tool skills… Rasp and hoof knife techniques
Small groups and personal instruction
Practice on cadaver hoofs, turnips, or pumpkins!
The Turnip Hoof Carving Contest is a wonderful learning experience!
And at the end we have unknowingly been shown the correct basic rasp and knife techniques.
Basic Horse Handling and communication…
Well we think it is basic, many folk think it is amazing!
In South Africa with a nervous, "dificult to handle", Arab learning to "ground tie"
Demonstrations on live horses. Trimming and Handling
Introduction to the Circulation and Suspensory Functions of the Distal Limb
Questions, questions, questions…
We do not go home till all of the questions are answered…
And although we call them beginners Clinics, they are very popular with folk who come back for the second or third time…
One return group declared: “Beginners clinics are wasted on beginners!” They had learned much more each time they had come!!
Dr. Barbara Maulet translates into French
Advanced, or Professional Clinics
These are aimed at the professional farriers, trimmers, vets and equine therapists or very experienced owners who have already leaned the basic levels.
We cover correcting balance issues, trimming for rehabilitation of hoofs with deformities, cracks, infections and chronic or acute laminitis/founder.
Triming a tiny pony with double sole penetration from founder
We also cover more advanced concepts of anatomy and physiology of the distal limb, describing the function of the bony column, the joints, the tendons and ligaments, and the components of the hoof capsule and the interaction between the suspension system and the circulatory system…
Deformities can be corrected
We have enough material to spend over a week on this course but usually only have one or two days. Again folk often return and are never disappointed the second or third time. Even if we try to present the same material each different group and clinic has a unique outcome.
Belgian Farriers learning barefoot trimming... A great group!
Dissection Clinics
These can be anything from half a day to two days depending on the learning level, and enthusiasm of each group.
Again they are a fantastic experience for farriers, trimmers, vets and equine therapists or experienced owners.
On half-day courses we get to show the real shapes, colours, and textures of the components of the hoof capsule and how the joints and major tendons and ligaments work. Book knowledge and photographs are nothing like discovering, touching, feeling, and seeing the real inside story!
Several of our groups have bought a bandsaw just for disection clinics
On two-day courses we often cover basic cellular biology and the nature of “Connective Tissues” and “Connective Structures” as theory to help our understanding of the large amount of practical work.
Teamwork!
Attendees work in teams of two or three and are set free to work on their choice of half a dozen different projects which allows them to gain a unique personal understanding of the structures and function of the distal limb… even after two exhausting days most attendees are already planing which different project they want to try “next time”!
Horse Handling and Communication Clinics
We often include a half-day or one-day clinic on Hoofmanship with a “beginners” or “Advanced” two day weekend.
Of course we hope everyone knows how to hold or handle their own horse properly but folk often ask… How do you get him to stand still??? How do I teach my horse to “Ground Tie”? How do you get him to lift his leg and “Give foot’ so easily?
Even “How do I catch my horse???” is a really common question.
Unscheduled handling demonstration in Berkshire UK
The 'demonstration' horse did not want to be caught!
We do not pretend to be “Horsemanship” trainers but the horsemanship professionals who join in the Hoofmanship clinics usually get more out of them than many other attendees… this is horsemanship for the farrier, trimmer vet and massage therapist…
Paul, in Wales, showing excelent rope skills and body language
And usually, they are lots of fun.
The Naked Hoof Trimming lesson (we mean without a rope or halter on the horse) often brings surprises and the “non-horsey husbands” often get better results than their traditionally horsey partners!!!
And "dificult", or "green" horses often perform better than highly trained horses.
So if you would like to attend one of our clinics please drop us a line and we will let you know when we are doing something in your country or area.
Why not organize a Hoofworks Clinic in your area?
If you would like to organise, or host, a clinic, anywhere in the world, please write and tell us what your area and group of horse friends are like and what you would like to achieve…
It does take a lot of work and a lot of organising but the results are usually great.
Sometime they are even better than that!
Email: peter@hoofworksaustralia.com
Dr. Barbara Maulet Translates into French for an advanced clinic for Belgian farriers
