2009 clinic schedule:
Note: Only two clinics are being planned for this year. The dates are subject to change in urgent situations.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
October 2, 3, & 4, 2009
Clinic Fee for 2009: $850. A $50 deposit is required to hold your space on the roster. We take a maximum of three students per clinic so spaces are limited.
To arrange a clinic outside of the dates listed above, or at your site, please contact us at 360-790-4181 or patslark@fairpoint.net
Tools you will need:
The tool brands listed below are suggested as a result of the many types of tools that I have personally tested. I strongly encourage you to purchase the tools recommended below, and in some cases no substitutions will be allowed on site.
Learning a new skill such as hoof trimming, where you are working with sometimes uncooperative live animals, is challenging in itself. Inferior tools only add an unnecessary level of difficulty and risk (for horses and humans) to the job. Don't waste your money on inferior tools.
(No Diamond products.)
NIPPERS:
GE Brand Nippers only.
1 pair of 14 or 15 inch.
1 pair of 12 inch optional - (best for small equines.)
RASPS (2):
Save Edge or Heller Legend
with Aluminum Rasp handle –comes in two sizes
(No plastic or wooden handles)
HOOF KNIFE:
The only brand we will work with at this clinic is
The Knife brand hoof knife. No Substitutes.
ONE HOOF KNIFE PER STUDENT.
Choose right or left handed as needed (NOT BOTH!)
Absolutely NO aluminum knife blades.
LOOP KNIFE:
The Knife or JC brand Loop knife
No substitutes.
APRON:
The apron is a personal preference. I recommend a cordura and leather farrier apron by NC. Cordura stays a bit cooler in the summer months than an all leather apron.
(I've seen students struggle with many different styles and brands of aprons and so far NC offers the most comfort and functionality.)
HOOF STAND:
The Hoof Jack brand only. They offer a draft cradle and a mini stand and cradle. (Cheaper stands and similar styles are available, but we've tried them all and the Hoof Jack is the most user friendly. Used stands can sometimes be found on ebay and Craigs List.)
SMALL TOOLS:
Hoof Pick
Marking Pen
Tool/knife Sharpener
Painters wire brush – plastic handle preferred
Protective gloves – NO GARDENING GLOVES – leather reinforced - Mechpro preferred.
5 gallon bucket with Bucket Buddy
First Aid Kit
Most of the above list can be purchased at any Farrier Supply Store. (On line as well).
Olympia Farrier Supply has the list that I recommend for my students and Gary can put a package together for you that I can pick up prior to the clinic and have it here when you arrive the first day.
Contact info for Olympia Farrier Supply is:
Gary Mitchell
360-786-6575
1015 85th Avenue SE Bldg E
Olympia WA 98501
olyfarrier@comcast.net
Suggested Reading prior to the clinic:
The Sound Hoof, by Lisa Lancaster
Required reading prior to the clinic:
Making Natural Hoofcare Work for You, Pete Ramey
Recommend purchasing and watching Pete's DVD set which can be purchased at hoofrehab.com
Day One: Whole Horse paradigm. Mainly classroom work covering hoof anatomy, tools and tool safety, trimming demonstrations, safe horse handling.
Day Two: Strategies for handling uncooperative horses, tool handling and care. Cadaver trimming - getting deeper into anatomy. Live trimming.
Day Three: Bringing it all together. Horse/hoof/tool handling. Summarizing what we’ve learned. Booting. (If time allows: hoof casting workshop and power trim demonstration.) HFL Certification.
Participants who wish to bring their own horses should contact me for arrangements. Horses considered for the clinic should be cooperative with having their hooves handled for extended periods.
To register for any of the dates listed above you will need to send a deposit of $50 or the full fee. The cost is $800, plus a $50 deposit. Total $850.
Mailing address is:
Rainier Hoof Recovery Center - HFL
PO Box 1272
Rainier WA. 98576
Clinics will be held at our farm in Rainier, Washington and times are from 10 (so be on site by 9:30) and will go until we stop. Snacks and Lunch provided.
Accomodations: 10 minutes from Rainier:
http://www.conleysuites.com/
http://www.prairiehotel.com/
Please contact me via email Patslark@fairpoint.net for clinic openings.
Please note: there is a level of risk inherant to any job that involves very sharp tools to both students and horses. Liability waivers will be signed on day one.
Thank you
