Frequently Asked Questions
What trim do you teach?
Is online learning for me?
What are the technical requirements to use this course?
How long is the Professional Student course?
Are there any exams?
How much does the certification course cost?
Do I have to take the final certification test?
What do mentor days consist of?
Who are the mentors / instructors?
Where can I sign up for mentor days?
Do I have to stay with the same mentor during the course?What trim do you teach?
The instructor team at Equine Soundness Inc. does actually not teach or practice any special trim, as no one trim method fits all horses. Instead we are teaching all the details that enable you to make the right decisions in every day trimming.
From the regular performance hoof to complicated pathologies, we pass on our knowledge based on the physiologically correct anatomy of the horse and especially the hoof.
Many years of experience and the studies of holistic hoof care with various instructors in the United States and Europe are shared with our students. We have taken the very best from our studies and combined it in the courses offered.
Individual horses have individual needs based on their conformation and environment but there are core principles of how the hoof is designed to function physiologically and mechanically that apply to every hoof. A well educated trimmer is able to sculpt the exterior of the foot to precisely fit the position and alignment of the internal structures.
The correct form and function of the hoof is the only basis on which the horse can perform without constraints and ramifications for his entire organism. Form and function must be thoroughly understood, pathologies must be classified and remedied according to their significance.
Badly foundered hoof (left), corrected after several months of trimming (right)
Still lame after 9 months of stall rest (left), sound after a couple of trims (right) and very rideable (below)
Originally all of the instructors at Equine Soundness Inc. have graduated from the Strasser Program. After years of experience and sorting out what works and what does not work, we came to our own conclusions: While the knowledge of anatomy is vitally important for successful trimming, we draw different conclusion than have been initially taught to us. Our mantra is to leave the horse as sound as possible, to balance the hoof, but to be careful not to overtrim the same. Our teaching philosophies also vary greatly from what was taught to us: we strive to develop every student individually and share as much as we possibly can to allow students to develop to their fullest potential.
Is online learning for me?
Online learning is flexible and convenient for anyone who has access to the Internet and is motivated to learn.
Use this checklist to determine whether you have the technical skills to participate in an online course:
- I can send and receive e-mail.
- I can find a specific web site if I receive a link by e-mail or see a URL on paper.
- I can download files from e-mail messages and Web sites.
- I have taken a quiz or filled in a form online.
If you can check “yes” for each item, you are ready to enroll in an online course. If you have questions about any of these technical skills, our client support team is ready to help, please call 803-647-1200 or e-mail info@equinesoundness.com.
To succeed in an online course you need motivation, commitment, good time management skills and self-discipline.
What are the technical requirements to use this course?
Software
· Adobe Reader version 5.1 or later; download free software
· Microsoft Office applications or viewers for PowerPoint and Word; viewers available free:
Internet Connection
· Internet Service Provider (ISP)
· Minimum 56K modem for dial-up connection; high-speed connection (DSL, broadband cable or T1/T3) recommended
Web Browser
· PC users: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Netscape 6.1 or higher, or Mozilla FireFox 1.0 or higher (all with JavaScript enabled)
· Macintosh users: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, Netscape 6.1 or higher, or Mozilla FireFox 1.0 or higher (all with JavaScript enabled)
Media-Player Software (one of the following free downloads)
How long is the Professional Student course?
The majority of the course time is spent at home, studying on line and fulfilling assignment requirements.
Module #1, 2,and 5 take about two months to study. Module #3 takes one month, and module #4 can be completed in 4 months or less.
Mentorship days can be arranged after you have completed module 1 through 3. You need to have completed at least 10 mentorship days to graduate. How often you can arrange mentorship days depends on you and your instructor's schedule.Are there any exams?
Yes. Throughout the certification course participants will perform online self tests and submit graded assignments. At the end of the final practicum there will be a written test and a practical test.How much does the certification course cost?
Please check our tuition page (click on link)These fees do not include tools, travel and accommodations during the mentorship days and the final practicum. There are no further books to buy.
Do I have to take the final certification test?
No. You can go through the entire course without taking the final test. The final exam is for certification only.What do mentor days consist of?
There will be ca. 30 hours of one-on-one online instruction via a webinar platform. This instruction follows precise lesson plans, which are structured to meet the goals of this course. There will also be 30 hours of practical one-on-one training. Students learn to trim on bio-specimen, observe live trimming and later perform live trims yourself.Who are the mentors / instructors?
The mentors are seasoned professionals, well versed in the theory taught in this course. They have experience with many different scenarios and are active trimmers themselves.
They are
Mr. Jerry Schmidt, Port Angeles, WA
Mrs. Audrey Bryant, Sequim, WA
Mrs. Claudia Garner, Hopkins, SC
Mrs. Mary Gallagher, Port Angeles, WAWhere can I sign up for mentor days?
You sign up for mentor days through the school. The school will then contact you to assign a mentor. At this time we have mentors on the West Coast and on the East Coast of the United States.Do I have to stay with the same mentor during the course?
No. Mentors can be changed during the course. Depending on your location and your ability to travel, we may be able to assign you to several mentors, which will expose you to many different horses and scenarios, a great learning experience.
