Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the next course?  The next course is scheduled for February 2011.  Please contact our course co-ordinator for more information.  Don't delay places are limited and the courses usually fill six months prior to their commencement.  For information please email:   equinepodiotherapy@bigpond.com 

How do you pronounce the name?  It is pronounced equine pod-eye-oh-therapy.  Its basis is the word podiatry meaning of the foot.

Who can train as an Equine Podiotherapist? Anyone who is over the age of 18 who is fit and well enough for an outdoors lifestyle with horses.  Plus you must be keen enough to undertake some intensive study!  It is a Diploma course!  If you have a desire to change the quality of life for many domestic horses this is the career path for you.

Do I need a hoof care background to take these courses?    No particular previous background in hoofcare, equine health care, or farriery is necessary to undertake this course. Even if you are a novice trimmer you will gain all the skills necessary during the course to become an Equine Podiotherapist.

How is the course delivered?  The 12 month course is delivered with distance learning and face to face lectures.  Practical trimming is done on cadaver hooves and live horses.  Four blocks of five or six days of practical work and face to face lectures are undertaken throughout the year.  These are based at Mayfield Bare Hoof Centre where there are classroom facilities. They are usually held Thurs Fri Sat Sun and Monday, Tues. Those days include a weekend so it makes it a little easier for those who have to take time off work to attend. 

How many students are in each class?  There are usually 15 - 17  students in each course.  The student numbers are deliberately kept small so students have plenty of support during their training.  For all the hands on trimming classes with the live horses we have two lecturers present so you have hot and cold running help all the time!.

Are there grades or credits to be gained? The course has been constructed by a professional course writer to meet Australian standards for a Diploma Course. There are assessment tasks and standards that must be met to achieve your Diploma. You will also have to complete a portfolio of case studies as part of your training to Graduate. These must be completed no longer than two years after your commencement date.  The accreditation is a Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy from the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy. 

It this a government course?   No the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy is a private college. To fit into the Government educational system the course would have to have been aligned with an existing course (i.e. the farriers course).  As the EPT course is unlike any other ever presented in this country the Directors of the College felt it was best to remain independent. However the course has been developed to Australian standards for a Diploma level course.

Can veterinarians attend and do they gain AVA Ongoing Education Points if they attend?  Yes the Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy Course is accredited for ongong educational points with the Australian Veterinary Association. 

Farrriers: Like veterinarians you will find that by studying rehabilitative trimming practices & furthering your knowlege of distal limb anatomy it opens up a new range of options when dealing with serious hoof issues.  Many farriers are taking the opportunity to incorporate natural hoof care practices into their business as so many clients now seek this option.

Is this new trade covered by insurance? Yes.  The modality of Equine Podiotherapy is able to be covered by insurance.  The Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy has arranged through its own insurance brokers for students to also be able to seek student cover for Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance whilst they are studying and working on their case histories. 

Can anyone call themselves an Equine Podiotherapist?  The title Equine Podiotherapist is trade marked and owned by the Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy.  Only those who successfully complete this course and gain their Diploma may be called Equine Podiotherapists.

I have already done an accredited barefoot trimming course is Equine Podiotherapy the same? Equine Podiotherpay has been constructed as a Diploma level course with in depth course content and is unlike any other course taught in Australia at this time.

Should veterinarians, equine massage therapists, body-workers, owners or trainers consider doing this course?   Absolutely yes! 

Imagine being able to walk up to any horse and  by just assessing its hoof form know exactly the state of the internal structures of the hoof.  Know for sure if the internal hoof structures are dysfunctional, and if they are impacting on its biomechanics, causing lameness, navicular syndrome or stopping it from reaching peak performance levels. 

This is invalueable for equine professionals.  No more guessing about those vague lamenesses that plague the domestic horse.  No other course is Australia at this time covers orthopaedic trimming principles except this one.  No other course offers you a world leading hoof expert such as Professor Robert Bowker as your instructor. Veterinarians on our course have said how much they enjoyed this course and how they wished that this type of detailed study was available in their veterinary course.

How much time will be involved?   Each course runs over a twelve month period.  There are four blocks of five/six days face to face teaching during this time and distance learning modules plus assignments in between these blocks.  The students have an additional 12 months to complete their case histories should they require it. It is a Diploma level course and requires additional work on the students own time to complete assignment tasks etc.

What does the EPT course cost?   The full fee at this time is $4,900 (Aus.) Payable upfront. We are happy to accept payment by cheque or money order. There is an additional 1.4% charge for credit card payments.

Where is it delivered? The course is delivered at the college campus at Mayfield Barehoof Centre in Yarck in rural Victoria. The campus offers air conditioned classrooms, toilets & showers and a pool for students use in the summer.

Interstate students are encouraged to apply as there is a full range of accommodation close to the venue.

How to enrol?  If you would like to train to be a future Equine Podiotherapist please contact the course co-ordinator now:

EPT Course Co-ordinator  email equinepodiotherapy@bigpond.com.au

Ph. 02 6493 6944 (business hours)  Mob 0458 215 601 (business hours)

Admin. Office:   P.O. Box 5020 Cobargo NSW 2550 Australia