Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy

24/10/2026

🐴 Block 5 – That's a Wrap!

What an incredible week of learning, practical experience and plenty of laughs at the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy!

Throughout Block 5, our students explored equine first aid, wound management, hoof pathology, rehabilitation, biomechanics, conformation and horsemanship, learning from experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom and paddock.

From assessing movement and identifying dysfunction to handling and trimming foals, working through complex hoof pathologies, investigating abscesses and fitting polyurethane shoes, students had plenty of opportunities to put their knowledge into practice.

And that's what makes the experience so valuable. It's not just learning what to do, but understanding how, why and when to do it. Understanding how the whole horse functions, recognising what influences hoof health and developing the skills to make informed decisions for each individual horse.

Along the way, students share experiences, build connections and become part of a supportive community of people passionate about horses and improving hoof care.

Whether their goal is to build a rewarding career in equine podiotherapy or gain a deeper understanding to provide the best possible care for their own horses, it's all about knowledge, practical skills and confidence. Giving students the ability to recognise problems, understand the causes and make a genuine difference to the comfort, soundness and long-term8 wellbeing of horses.

🎓 Could this be your future?

Very limited places remain for our 2027 Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy intake!

📩 Enquire today!

www.equinepodiotherapy.com.au

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21/10/2026

2026 block 5

18/10/2026

🐴 Block 5, Day 6 – Case Studies, Abscesses and Polyurethane Shoeing!

The final day of Block 5, and another busy day to finish off the week!

The morning started with students receiving their case study briefs and assessment criteria. Covering a range of hoof pathologies and conditions, students will follow horses through multiple trims, documenting their work and assessing progress over time. An important part of putting everything they've learnt into practice!

Then it was outside to trim the geldings and measure them up for polyurethane shoes.

Andrew Bowe also demonstrated the process of identifying and managing hoof abscesses, giving students the opportunity to see their knowledge applied in a practical situation.

To finish off the day, students got hands-on with polyurethane shoeing, learning to size, fit, adjust and nail shoes onto horses. Another valuable skill to add to their growing toolkit!

What an incredible week! From anatomy, biomechanics and nutrition to rehabilitation, horsemanship and plenty of practical hoof care, Block 5 has been packed with learning and experience.

It's fantastic to see how far the students have come, building their knowledge, developing their skills and becoming more confident in their work with horses. There's been so much progress throughout the course, and it's exciting to see it all coming together!

That's a wrap on Block 5! 🐴❤️

17/10/2026

🐴 Block 5, Day 5 – From Equine Nutrition and ECVM to Practical Hoof Care!

Another big day with plenty of variety!

The morning kicked off with equine nutrition, where students put their knowledge to the test identifying different feeds before discussing nutritional requirements, suitable feeds and supplements for different horses. They also explored hay, what influences its sugar content and how best to manage it.

Dr Sharon May-Davis then took students deeper into Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation (ECVM). Using skeletal specimens and research papers, Sharon explored how these malformations can affect a horse's posture, proprioception and ability to comfortably hold up its front legs for trimming. A fascinating insight into how issues within the body can affect everyday movement and function.

Back outside, students revisited the donkeys to finish their trims, while Andrew Bowe demonstrated safe handling and trimming techniques with Molly the mule.

The afternoon included reviewing X-rays, exploring rehabilitation cases in the rehab shed, and more hands-on work trimming cadaver hooves and fitting polyurethane shoes.

It's this variety that makes the College so unique. Students are constantly connecting classroom knowledge with real cases and practical experience, developing the skills and understanding to know not just what they're doing, but why.

And after another huge day, it was off to the Bonnie Doon Pub for a well-earned evening out! 🍻

16/10/2026

🐴 Block 5, Day 4 – Biomechanics, Foal Handling & Exploring Hoof Pathologies!

Another full day at the College, with plenty of hands-on learning and opportunities to put theory into practice!

We started with Dr Sharon May-Davis continuing our exploration of biomechanics and conformation. Students reviewed footage of the mares moving before and after their trims, looking at changes in movement and how trimming decisions can influence the horse.

Next up was David Leigh, exploring hoof dysfunction, how the hoof grows and how to support a compromised foot. Students learnt what to trim, what to leave and how to make informed decisions to best support each horse.

🐴 Then it was time for some foal handling!

Students headed out to catch the foals before working in pairs to practise handling and trimming young feet. A great opportunity to build confidence and develop practical skills with youngsters!

🔍 To finish the day, it was time to look inside the hoof!

Students worked with cadaver hooves presenting various pathologies, including laminitis, seedy toe and navicular-related changes. They assessed and trimmed each hoof before dissecting it to see what was happening inside.

This allowed students to evaluate their trimming decisions, understand how different pathologies affect internal structures and consider what they might do differently.

There's nothing quite like seeing what's happening beneath the hoof wall!

A fantastic way to connect the theory with real-world hoof care. ❤️

15/10/2026

🐴 Block 5, Day 3 – Biomechanics, Hoof Health & Putting Knowledge into Practice!

Another big day of learning, bringing together biomechanics, movement and hoof health, and exploring how this knowledge helps us make better hoof care decisions.

We started in the classroom with Dr Sharon May-Davis, exploring biomechanics and how the horse's body influences movement and soundness. Students learnt to recognise subtle signs of dysfunction, identify potential sources of lameness and look beyond the hoof when assessing a horse.

Then it was outside with the mares! 🐎

Students assessed conformation and movement, looking for imbalances and potential soundness issues. They then used their findings to guide their trimming decisions, making adjustments to better support each individual horse.

Back in the classroom, David Leigh explored Professor Robert Bowker's research into healthy hoof function. From what's happening at a cellular level to the characteristics of a healthy hoof, students learnt how this understanding can help guide trimming decisions and address imbalances and pathologies.

🍕 And what better way to finish a big day than pizza night and show & tell!

Students shared photos, videos and cases they'd encountered, sparking plenty of interesting discussions about movement, soundness and hoof care challenges. Lots of different perspectives, shared experiences and, of course, plenty of pizza!

Days like this really show the value of combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. From working through the science to applying it with real horses, and sharing experiences with others, there's always something new to learn and plenty to take away from the day! ❤️

14/10/2026

🐴 Block 5, Day 2 – Equine First Aid, Hoof Rehabilitation & Horsemanship!

Another great day at the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy, with students developing practical skills in equine health, injury management and first aid.

We began with Amanda Edwards, registered emergency nurse and equine wound care specialist, covering colic, laminitis, infections and wound management.

Students then practised assessing vital signs, locating pulses and interpreting digital pulses, followed by hands-on wound care. They worked through injury scenarios, learning how to clean, dress and manage wounds using different products and bandaging techniques.
These skills are essential for hoof care professionals. Recognising what’s normal, identifying potential problems and knowing when veterinary attention is needed helps students make informed decisions about a horse’s comfort, movement and hoof health.
Students also worked with horses undergoing rehabilitation, gaining valuable experience trimming hooves with different pathologies. This gave them the opportunity to apply their knowledge of hoof anatomy, balance and function while considering the individual needs of each horse.

And to finish off the day, we welcomed Jen Rooney, another of our horsemanship lecturers, giving students the opportunity to learn from different approaches and perspectives on horse handling. The session focused on developing practical skills to work safely and confidently with horses, making the trimming experience more comfortable for both horse and trimmer.

❤️ Equine Podiotherapy is about so much more than the hoof.

Being a great hoof care professional means looking at the whole picture. Understanding the horse as a whole and how everything connects allows us to provide the best possible care.

Another great day of learning in Block 5! 🐴

13/10/2026

🐴 Students Are Back – Day 1, Block 5!

Our students are back for Day 1 of Block 5! Another busy week of hands-on learning, practical experience and developing a deeper understanding of the whole horse.

We kicked off the morning with Andrew Bowe, learning about foal handling, trimming and limb deformities. Understanding how young horses develop and how hoof balance can influence their growing limbs is an important part of supporting healthy hoof development.

Students then headed outside to put their trimming skills into practice on some of our donkeys and ponies.

Next, we welcomed Dr Pos Thompson, equine veterinarian, for an informative session covering wound management, medications, injuries and common health challenges. Understanding these issues helps hoof care professionals take a more informed approach when assessing and caring for a horse’s feet.

We then assessed a gelding’s conformation and movement, learning how veterinarians investigate lameness and how hoof balance, conformation and movement are connected.

To finish the day, Amanda Edwards, registered emergency nurse and equine wound care specialist, joined us for a session on equine health. Students worked in groups to assess three horses, practising how to take vital signs and recognise what’s normal.

❤️ Because good hoof care is about understanding the whole horse.

A horse’s feet don’t function in isolation. Their conformation, movement, health, injuries and overall comfort all influence how their hooves grow, wear and function.

By developing knowledge beyond the hoof itself, our students become better equipped to recognise problems and make informed trimming and management decisions.

A fantastic start to Block 5, with plenty more learning to come! 🐴

09/10/2026

🐴 Ever wondered what it’s like to study at the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy?

Our current student Emmi, from Equine Emmi Hoofcare, has shared a lovely insight into life at the College

"So… what’s it actually like being a student here?

Well, there’s a lot of horses, a lot of learning, plenty of practical work… and definitely plenty of laughs!

You’re surrounded by people who are just as passionate about horses and hoof care as you are, and there’s always something happening.

You might start the day learning about anatomy, biomechanics or hoof function, and then head outside and put that knowledge into practice with a real horse.

You get to work with a huge variety of horses and hoof presentations, so every day brings something different.
But it’s not just about learning how to trim.

You’re learning to look at the whole picture — asking why a hoof looks the way it does, what might be influencing it, and what that individual horse needs.

There’s plenty of opportunities to watch, practise, ask questions, get feedback and have another go.

And of course, you’re not expected to know everything straight away!

There are definitely moments of “Ohhh, now I get it!”… and probably a few moments of “Wait… what am I looking at?”

But that’s all part of learning.
And when you’re not learning, there’s plenty of laughing, chatting, sharing horse stories and getting to know the other students.

It can be challenging, it can be exhausting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

You leave each block with more knowledge, more experience and usually a whole lot more questions about hooves!"

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Your own College story could start in 2027.

Limited places are still available for our 2027 intake. Enrol now and take the next step towards a career working with horses.

👉 https://equinepodiotherapy.com.au/

09/10/2026

Hamilton & Surrounds – One-Day Hoof Maintenance Trimming Clinic!

Want to better understand your horse’s feet and learn practical skills to help maintain them between professional trims?
Barefoot Blacksmith is heading to the Hamilton region on Sunday 6th December for a hands-on trimming clinic!

Learn how to perform maintenance trims, understand the structures inside the hoof and how they influence hoof health and function.

The more you understand about your horse’s feet, the better equipped you are to recognise changes, make informed decisions and provide the best possible hoof care for your horse!

🐴 Attend with or without your horse!

📝 Book your place: https://www.trybooking.com/DPINL

📍 Not in the area? Barefoot Blacksmith runs multiple trimming workshops throughout the year at different locations. Check out their upcoming workshops here:
https://barehoofcare.com/education/trimming-workshops/

⭐️⭐️ Essential clinic for all horse owners ⭐️ ⭐️

I’d encourage all my clients to sign up for this! The more you know about your horses’ feet and internal anatomy the better. If you can rasp in between my visits it will be a huge benefit to your horse.