Imagine being in the business of creating happy healthy horses from the hoof up.
Integrated Equine Podiatry
A Highfield approved professional course that fits around your life, giving you the freedom to create a successful business doing what you love while empowering your clients to develop happy healthy horses.
Do you want the freedom to make you own decisions based on what you believe?
But you find the idea of running your own business a bit daunting!
Wonder which the best training for you and
Worry how you'll find the time to study...
The Integrated Equine Podiatry course is designed to fit around your life and deliver the knowledge and understanding you need to become a successful Equine Podiatrist.
Online theory classes, and discussion groups allow you to study at home (or wherever you want) in your own time.
Regular weekend workshops give you the practical hands on experience and training you need to develop your trimming skills.
Hoof Knowledge
Understanding hoof anatomy and hoof function is fundamental to figuring out what's going on with horse's hooves. There's definitely no shortage of hoof study, discussion, debate and pondering in this course!
Whole Horse Health
Any health issue with a horse can affect the hooves to some degree. Its not enough to just know about hooves. It's essential to understand the whole horse and the environment they live in if you are to develop healthy happy hooves. A great side effect is a healthy happy horse too.
Customer Communication
We all want to work with horses, it's often overlooked that this requires us to work with people too (it's the people who pay the bill after all!) All the knowledge and skill in the world isn't much use if you can't communicate effectively with your clients. They need to understand and trust you before they'll take your advice.
Business Skills
Having the skills to be a competent professional is important, but being able to manage your business is vital. If you're in the business of helping people, let's make sure that business is as successful as possible.
What is covered in the course?
Semester 1 - Foundation
We all start somewhere. We get stuck into hoof anatomy and function early on as that's fundamental. We also delve into the principles and practice of equine behaviour, business skills, ethics and professionalism so you can start your business and learn as you mean to go on.
There's a reason we call this the foundation semester. Everything will be built on these vital basic skills.
Semester 2 - Trimming Basics
While we take a whole horse approach to getting feet healthy, it’s important you get as much trimming practice as possible.
Before we let you loose on live horses, we're going to spend some time developing good safe tool skills. There will be lots of practice of trimming hooves and you'll develop a practical understanding of hoof anatomy and function.
You'll also start to establish your whole horse assessment techniques.
Semester 3 - Environment
A key tool in an Equine Podiatrists metaphorical tool kit is knowing how to use the environment to develop the health and well-being of the horse.
Nutrition is a big piece of the puzzle and boy do we cover it! We look at both the external environment the horse lives in, and the internal environment of the whole horse which includes physiology and the effects of exercise.
Building on your S2 skills you'll be trimming and assessing live horses with healthy hooves.
Semester 4 - Pathology
Hooves are constantly growing and adapting to their environment. As a result of this, you can have problems with hoof health any time there is a health problem with the horse or the environment.
As an Equine Podiatrist you will need to be able to assess, monitor and respond appropriately to these changes and pathologies.
You'll be gaining valuable experience trimming pathological hooves, and starting your mentorship on healthy horses.
Semester 5 - Whole Horse Health
We're going to draw on all your study during the last 2 years to build on and advance your understanding of a whole horse approach to Equine Podiatry.
We'll be looking more deeply into physiology, anatomy, assessments and diagnostics to hone your professional skills.
You'll be refining your practical skills and continuing your mentorship with pathological cases.
How it works
Video Lessons
This allows you to complete much of the theory when and where it works for you, as well as allowing you to revisit any part you need more time with.
Workshops
Monthly weekend workshops to develop your hands on skills.
Case Studies
In the 4th and 5th semesters you'll be conducting case studies under the watchful eye of an Areion Approved Mentor
Office Hours
Regular online meetings for you to ask any questions, learn from your fellow students and get involved in discussions around the current topic.
Support
Course tutors will be happy to help if you need it, and we have a dedicated app for student support, discussion, and connection.
Homework
Each module will have an assignment for you to complete at home.
Assessments
You'll be assessed at the end of each semester to be sure you're confident and competent to advance to the next level.
Final Exam
You'll undertake a independently invigilated written and practical assessment to gain your Highfield approved IEP certification.
Semester
Each semester lasts 6 months. There's 5 month long modules and a 1 month break.
Course Length
The course is 2 1/2 years long, made up of 5 semesters.
Ongoing Support
Once you've completed the course, you'll still have access to the content, Areion support systems and community.
This course is for you if:
This course is not for you if:
About us
Debs Crosoer
Debs has been working in the equine industry for over 20 years. Her approach has always been focused on making it easier to get the best results possible using whole horse focused hoof care methods. When she’s not being a hoof geek, you’ll probably find her being a sci-fi nerd, or baking up a storm.
Amy Mitchell
Amy is a qualified Equine Podiatrist with a strong track record in helping owners improve their horses hoof health. Amy has 2 German Shepherd dogs that she enjoys training and has a weakness for salted caramel ice-cream!
Areion Academy
Areion was founded to deliver clear accessible education providing the knowledge and skills for ethical equine professionals to create a better world for horses and their owners.
Q&A
Download the information pack for details
There's more detailed information about the course content and structure in the information pack.
Course commences beginning of January 2023
You would need to invest approximately 10 hours of home study each month, and attend 1 weekend workshop.
There's 1 weekend workshop each month (excluding June and December) for details and dates, see the information pack
Online modules are hosted on a dedicated membership site. Each topic is broken down into short, easily digestible videos so you can learn the key points easily and fit your learning around your life. The lessons will be available for you to refer back to as often as you need to, so you're able to spend more time on the subjects you find more challenging.
Monthly class discussions will take place over Zoom so you can get the benefit of an engaged learning community.
Full details of costings are in the information pack. We have a number of payment options available and offer 1 subsidised place each year for an individual who would otherwise struggle to attend. For more details click here
Other costs. In addition to course fees, you will need to buy tools and equipment, and possibly need to pay for accomodation when attending live courses. Technically you won't need to buy further text books, but it's very likely you'll want to!
Aside for us being lovely people who are fun to be around? :)
We're well trained and experienced EP's with a passion for helping horses and people, with over 30 years combined business experience. We're offering what we consider to be the best training with a focus on preparing students for the realities of running a successful Equine Podiatry practice.
Highfield are a global leader in compliance and work-based learning and apprenticeship qualifications and one of the UK’s most recognisable awarding organisations. As such they’re regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, SQA Accreditation, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), and the Security Industry Authority (SIA). In addition to this, they’re also a government-regulated end-point assessment organisation (EPAO).
As a top 5 awarding organisation they've developed 250+ qualifications designed to enhance the career prospects of learners. These qualifications are now delivered by over 20,000 trainers and training providers spread across 50 countries. They cover multiple sectors such as retail, health and social care, finance, customer service, rail and engineering, hospitality, logistics, aviation and many more.
Yes this course is recognised by Highfield