... dedicated to offering a common sense approach to maintenance of
the
equine hoof, drawing on Natural Balance principles, traditional
craftsmanship,
and the increasingly improved technology available in the farrier
industry today.
Mission Farrier
School
Hoof Health & Education Center
The first formal farrier
school education program in the world to incorporate
Natural Balance principles into its
horseshoeing curriculum.
"Natural Balance" refers to trimming
and horse shoeing principles developed by farrier Gene Ovnicek after studying the
hoof patterns of wild horses from a variety of environments. This opportunity
to observe equine hoof biomechanics straight from Mother Nature suggested a
need to reexamine some of our traditional trimming and shoeing guidelines. The
resulting Natural Balance principles offer the farrier an understanding of
certain characteristics or reference points in each individual hoof so he/she
can trim and shoe accordingly. Using Natural Balance principles, the farrier's
task is defined primarily on the basis of information gleaned from the horse
itself.
The same Natural Balance principles
which have enhanced the shoeing of the sound horse have led to exciting and
successful methods of treating lameness. Scientific research recently completed
and presently ongoing supports the wild horse observations and confirms the
wisdom of following Mother Nature's design for optimum equine
biomechanics.
Our
Curriculum...
includes practical instruction in live shoeing,
forging handmade shoes and modifying keg shoes, and classroom study of anatomy
and physiology. Students gain hands-on experience with remedial shoeing
techniques for treating lameness pathology of all types, including application
of the Equine Digit Support System (EDSS).
Students work with
veterinarians and other equine practitioners.
In addition to Natural Balance principles,
students are familiarized with the standards of farriery
endorsed by by the American Farriers Association and The Guild of
Professional Farriers, which form the basis of both the AFA's and
The Guild's certification programs.
Students gain working experience with the
different materials used in handmade shoes, with a variety of manufactured
specialty shoes, and with numerous accessory products such as pads, packing,
and repair composites.
A wide variety of horses with challenging feet are
brought to the school, which provides a multitude of learning
opportunities that accelerate the student's understanding of
healthy foot function. We simply look to mother nature to
show us what is different about domestic feet. Working on
problematic feet allows students to see what it takes to optimize
the healing process in a lame horse, and thus provides the tools to
help keep healthy horses sound.
Our
Instructor...
is Mark J. Plumlee, a Certified
Journeyman Farrier, Registered Journeyman Farrier and clinician.
Mark is a past Vice President of the Guild of Professional
Farriers, and certification examiner for the Western United
States.
After maintaining a traditional shoeing practice
for almost 20 years and as a third generation farrier, Mark
gained exposure to Natural Balance theory in 1993 and has
enthusiastically pursued its advancement since that time. Mark has
successfully integrated Natural Balance farrier science with
traditional craftsmanship to maintain a high level of soundness in
his equine clientele.
Mission Farrier School is not a "factory"
operation. We have only a few sessions a year, as well as a few special
educational events.
Mission Farrier School
Students trim and shoe a variety of breeds and disciplines.
Now
Scheduling Horses! Laminitis Concerns? Navicular
Syndrome? Stumbling?
Lameness issues and challenging cases in all riding disciplines
are addressed. click here
for more information
Carl Longanecker handling
a foal before his first foot trim.
Good horsemanship is an integral part of our
curriculum, whether it is gentling and teaching foals to follow so
their feet can be trimmed in an appropriate manner, or helping the
hard to shoe horse get beyond his fears.
Faith Equestrian
Snohomish, Washington
Mission Farrier School
Mission Equine, Inc. 17028 Trombley Rd.,
Snohomish, WA 98290 Phone: 360 862 1406
Direct E-mail
Thank you for taking the time to visit the
Mission Farrier School website. You can find us listed under
Horseshoeing Schools and Farrier Schools.
