Farrier education in the United States now has a higher level. Today Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) announced the July 2016 launch of a one-year certificate program in advanced farriery skills. The new program will be hosted at the vet school’s main campus at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (“Virginia Tech”) in Blacksburg, Virginia.
While the modest description of the program is that it is “designed to provide participants with the training and skills necessary to operate a successful farrier practice”, the program's details reveal that it will also be a comprehensive hands-on immersion into the world of therapeutic farriery, with formal education modules.
The description from the announcement reads:
The participant’s time will be split between classroom, laboratory, and applied instruction. Classroom instruction will include anatomy, physiology, and principles of horseshoeing. Laboratory instruction will include exercises in forging and welding. Applied instruction will include hands-on practical experience in routine and therapeutic trimming and horseshoeing.
During the program the participant will gain experience in the care of performance horses and therapeutic farriery. Participants will also gain experience working with veterinarians on hoof pathology and lameness cases.
Admission to the program will be competitive, with specific prerequisites for all students that include the previous completion of a minimum six-week farrier course or equivalent experience in a private farrier practice. Tuition is $20,000.
The announcement states that, upon completion of the program, the participants should be confident in the building and application of traditional hand-forged and manufactured horseshoes as well as direct, and indirect glue-on horseshoes. It is expected that participants will achieve at least Certified Farrier distinction (by examination) with the American Farrier’s Association upon completion of the program.
More information is available at this link: VMCVM Advanced Farrier Certificate Program.
Application is handled by an online form.
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The Equine Podiatry Service includes (left to right) farriers Travis Burns, CJF, TE, FWCF and former intern Jamie Secoura, CJF and veterinarian Scott Pleasant, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS. Current intern Ellen Staples, CJF, will also be involved in the new program.
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About the Equine Podiatry Service:
The VMCVM equine podiatry service manages approximately 1,200 cases per year. These cases are seen both on farms and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) in Blacksburg. The service provides on-the-farm farrier services for both the Virginia Tech Equestrian Program and a Quarter horse breeding operation within the Virginia Tech College of Animal and Poultry Sciences, as well as a select group of local clients. The remaining caseload is comprised of cases referred to the Equine Podiatry Service via the Large Animal Surgery and Medicine administration from private practitioners in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia.
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