Twenty one students have enrolled in the inaugural Diploma of Equine Podio-Therapy, being run by The College of Traditional Medicine, based in Melbourne.
The first block of study - anatomy and physiology - was held at Merrijig - at Chris Dunlop's trail ride outfit - in the Victorian High Country. The venue was chosen because of the availability of the trail riding horses and the associated lodge facilities including accommodation and a seminar room (complete with log fire).
The Diploma is one of two courses being run in Australia by government recognised Registered Training Providors. It has attracted students from around Australia - ranging from school leavers to professional trimmers. There was a wait list for places. I was fortunate enough to enrol early, and get into the course.
It includes a requirement for 20 documented case studies, and more than a dozen written assignments on anatomy and physiology and on the distal limb.
The other course is the Certificate III in Agriculture (hoofcare) which is about to enrol its third intake of students in June. The first students from this course are completing their studies now. Two have already graduated.
The introduction of both these courses is expected to take equine podiatry to the next level in Australia where the main impediment to more widespread adoption of the practice of barefooting horses is that there are not enough experienced and knowledgeable trimmers to meet demand.
By the time three intakes have graduated from the Tasmanian course, and the Diploma students complete their studies, there should be around 75 qualified trimmers in Australia.
Both courses have the support of the Australian Hoof Care Association, the peak body for professional trimmers in Australia.
• At the top of this post is a pic of the Diploma students and teachers, with Prof Robert Bowker from the University of Michigan's Equine Hoof Lab, at the conclusion of the first anatomy and physiology lectures.
• Above right is a pic of me with Prof Bowker after we'd deconstructed a cadaver leg.
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