Well my favourites for providing free equine courses are at it once again!  A recent tweet from one of the equine industry trainers alerted me to this fact.  CAFRE have upcoming free courses in equine health, equine nutrition and also equine behaviour. Ready to sign up? 🙂

Perhaps you’d like further details:

1. Clinical equine nutrition – running from April 12, enrol by April 5th!
2. Introduction to Equine Health – May 24th, register by May 17th
3. Managing Equine Health – July 5th, enrol by June 28th
4. Equine Behaviour and Welfare – August 16th starting date, enrol by August 9th

Free Equine Courses at CAFRE

All of the free equine courses are run online over a four week period. I have undertaken many CAFRE courses online and the layout is generally the same.

You’re provided with some interesting and informative PowerPoints that often have a voiceover on them. Learning objectives are outlined, discussed and summarised. For each topic there is a test that you have three chances at completing. The idea is to gain the best score you possibly can.

For everyone who undertakes all of the tests successfully, you are issued an electronic certificate.  This is to indicate that you undertook the course. Perhaps you’re looking to increase your knowledge and also gain some horse related certificates. Or maybe you want a refresher course. Perhaps, you’re looking to connect with other horse people who are also interested in these topics.

Whatever the reason, these courses are great to undertake! You have access to the materials and can do them in your own time, as long as you complete the tests by the specified date. For someone who is raising two young children, I have found I could dedicate enough time to complete the courses before the end date. And I’ve always learned something!

What I found particularly interesting in Jenifer Morrissey’s book the Partnered Pony, was her reference to a hoof map for farriers. At an ELPO conference, two local veterinarians paired up with some ELPO farriers.  The farriers were able to demonstrate how their hoof map accurately locates the coffin bone.  This was with the use of a portable radiograph with the vets.

And why should this be of interest to horse owners? Knowing where the coffin bone lies, assists in trimming the hoof so that it sits at a correct angle with regards to this bone. Being able to utilise a tool to quickly identify the position of a coffin bone, makes it easier to correctly trim the hoof.

A Hoof Map for Farriers

Jenifer commented about this mapping tool, indicating that as someone who trims her horses’ feet, it was beneficial to know about. For those who are interested in trimming or who already look after horse’s feet, you may like to read up on this hoof map for farriers tool.

If you do a search on hoof mapping tool on the ELPO website, you will be shown a link to the 4 Step E.L.P.O Live Sole – Hoof Mapping Protocol. This page details different aspects of the hoof you need to be able to identify. Using these, it is then possible to assess the hoof and to determine where the coffin bone lies.

The above search also provides details of a two part video on basic hoof mapping and trimming. You can watch that here.

I love that there is so much still to be learned about horses. As we discover how certain issues arise with horses, we are then in a position to make changes. It’s exciting to know that passionate and informed people can develop tools to help with effective horse care.

As people develop a passion for a particular area of horses, they are able to then use this.  Along with their knowledge and skills, they can make things better for horses or easier for handlers – or both! Perhaps there is a tool or resource out there that you could develop to help further a particular aspect of the horse industry. Get to it!

Well it looks like CAFRE are running yet another free course – whoop! This one is titled Introduction to Equine Nutrition. Whether you’re a horse owner, horse carer or aspiring to be an equine nutritionist, then I encourage you to enrol in this free course!

The Introduction to Equine Nutrition course is to be run in February of 2017, over a four week period. Made up of online presentations, the topics to be covered include:

• Equine Digestive Anatomy and Processes
• Nutrients and Absorption
• Selecting Suitable Feed Types for Horses

How can online courses benefit you? Firstly, you’re improving or refreshing your horse knowledge – and you acquire resources from the course. Secondly, it’s a chance for you to network with others who are taking part in the course.

Introduction to Equine Nutrition

This CAFRE course will also provide support from educators, online discussion groups and online assessment to test comprehension. At the end, you also get a certificate of completion that can be added to your resume as you build your equine knowledge and skills!

For those interested, you need to register online by February 8, 2017. The course starts a week later on February 15th.

Horse nutrition is an ever changing world.  As more is learned about the horse’s digestive system and welfare, practices are adjusted.  Keeping your knowledge up to date is well worth it – for horse welfare and also for horse businesses.

In case you missed it and would like to enrol, CAFRE are running another free online course. This is to be run in January of 2017 and focuses on Online Social Media for Equine Businesses. You need to enrol in this by January 4th, 2017.

“Horseperson’s Glossary – Feed: Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.” – Author unknown