LIBERATED HORSEMANSHIP

TM

The Gateway Clinics

The Gateway Clinics and instructors are describe elsewhere on the Liberated Horsemanship website. Clinic participants get six days of intense practical and theoretical information that forms a firm foundation for a successful career in Natural Hoof Care. The fee for this six day event is US$ 1,425. The Gateway Clinics are routinely held in Warrenton, MO. This year we have also held eight days of clinics in Italy and six days in British Columbia. Read more and register for the upcoming Gateway Clinics.

Field Instruction

In field practicums, you will spend time with highly skilled natural hoof care professionals who have extensive field and teaching experience. We are very selective about our field instructors. Quality is much more important to us than quantity. At present we have eleven field instructors. They are the best of the best. Hand picked from a very large pool of natural hoof care professionals.

Field practicums are times to gain practical information about every aspect of hoof trimming, cooperative horse handling, tool use and maintenance, healthy body mechanics, and starting and managing a successful natural hoof care business.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced farrier, we will work with you to custom tailor your field experience. Beginning students may want to spend time with more instructors in the field, while experienced farriers or trimmers may be ready to move more quickly to a final field assessment. As a practical guide, collectively our field instructors recommend doing at least three field practicums to prepare for a successful Final Field Assessment. In addition, it is advantageous to allow time to assimilate, practice and become comfortable with newly acquired information and skills after a practicum. Accordingly, we recommend allowing a month or more between each field practicum.

After each field practicum, you will receive written feedback to help you assess your progress, skill level and readiness to move on to a final field assessment. There are no set requirements. Do as many or as few field practicums as needed to reach a professional level of skill and understanding. When you are ready, move forward toward certification by scheduling a final field assessment. The fee for each field practicum is US$ 175.

Final Field Assessment

The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. The final field assessment for professionals is an on site evaluation. A field instructor assesses your work with your clients’ horses. The fee for the Final Field Assessment is US$ 575 plus the transportation and hotel costs of the field instructor. Contact Ann Corso to arrange a Final Field Assessment.

Advanced Trimming Instruction

Certain pathological conditions, such as severe laminitis, injury, and chronic imbalance, can make it very hard to identify landmarks normally used as guides for properly trimming and balancing a hoof in accordance with natural hoof care principles. This one-day clinic is designed to familiarize participants with the underlying anatomy and bio-mechanical theory necessary to successfully trim such extreme cases. Large-screen live video is utilized to provide an unobstructed view of all clinic materials. To get the most from this clinic, you should be proficient at trimming healthy hooves before attending. The fee for Advance Trimming Instruction is normally US$ 300 although there may be some variance due to changes in venue. Read more and register.

Certification

You will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment stating you have successfully completed the Liberated Horsemanship training program for natural hoof care professionals. In addition, you will be listed as a Liberated Horsemanship certified natural hoof care professional on the Liberated Horsemanship website as a promotional service to you and your natural hoof care business. There is no associated fee.

“It can sometimes be difficult to find a good natural hoof care professional. There are not nearly enough to satisfy the current demand. If you enjoy working with horses and would like to make a living doing it, natural hoof care might be something to consider. Educational and startup costs are low compared to many other businesses and earning potential is high. Most natural hoof care professionals charge $40 – $60 per horse. They typically trim 4 to 8 horses per day. That translates to an average of $300 per day, $6,000 per month, and $72,000 per year, and overhead costs are very low. Nevertheless, there is a true shortage of well-trained hoof care professionals in many parts of the United States, Canada and abroad.” From Choosing A Natural Hoof Care Professional by Bruce Nock, PhD

Frequently Asked Question

Do I have to submit an application to enter the training program?

No. You begin the program by registering for and attending The Gateway Clinics.

Can farriers go through the certification program?

Yes. Farriers are welcome. Your skills and knowledge give you an advantage that may allow you to go through the certification program quicker and with less traveling and expense. Add an authentic natural trim to what you do.

Do I have to become a member of Liberated Horsemanship?

No. Liberated Horsemanship is not a membership organization, although we hope to retain a longterm relationship with everyone who completes the training program. We also encourage you to return periodically to the Gateway Clinics. There will be no fee associated with return visits. This is an important benefit which helps to keep natural hoof care professionals current with up to date information. It also provides new students an opportunity to meet and talk with others who already have gone through the training program and have developed successful natural hoof care businesses.

How much does the training cost? The cost for each phase of the training is given below. You can expect to pay US$ 3,725 – 4,250 for the program, depending on the number of field practicums you take, plus travel expenses.

Are there any administrative charges associated with the program?

No. There are no hidden charges in our program.

How soon can I expect to start making money trimming hooves? Many people begin to trim horses professionally shortly after they attend the Gateway Clinics. Consequently, they begin making an income from their new business while they train.

Why are other training programs more complex and involved than the Liberated Horsemanship program?

Our program is simple and straightforward. As we gained first-hand experience training professionals we became more efficient and proficient.  We have not sacrificed quality. We just reduced the quantity of extraneous information and administrative rubbish. We develop knowledge, skill and proficiency. That's it. That’s enough. We see no reason to make people perform unnecessary rites of passage. In addition, our instructors actively write top-notched articles which reduce the amount of class time needed. You can download some of this material free.

Do I have to complete the program within a certain time period?

No. You advance through the program toward certification at your own pace. However, you will not be listed on the Liberated Horsemanship locater directory until you are certified.

Does the program involve travel?

Yes. The Gateway Clinics are routinely held in Warrenton, Missouri which is about 45 minutes west of Lambert-St. Louis Airport. Advanced Trimming Instruction will take place in Warrenton, as well, or at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, Ohio—about an hour from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the Akron-Canton Airport. Field instructors are located around the United States.

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