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The spring Orientation for the Equine Sciences Academy was a great success
Students were treated to a spectacular encounter with some of Missouri’s wild horses on the first day. The group spent several hours studying them as they played, grazed and napped in the warm spring sunshine. The horses watched closely but allowed individuals to approach within about thirty feet. Just prior to our arrival, Missouri had experienced some of the worst floods in history and some of the bands were cut off from regular “haunts” by the raging waters. Sadly six wild horses died in the floods including a mare in the process of foaling. This was devastating to a total population of about forty five horses, but you would never have imagined that a tragedy had occurred as you watched these beautiful horses contentedly munching in the field.
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The serious work began on the second day with classroom lectures. Cindy “Hawk” Sullivan gave an inspirational presentation on Natural Horse and Hoof Care and why it is so important. Many students said it changed their whole perspective and way of thinking about and looking at domesticated horses and the lives they lead with humans. So much of what is done with horses is based on tradition, convenience and human ambition. Cindy’s presentation brought home just how much change is still needed in the care and management of our equine companions if they are to lead sound, happy and healthy lives.
Next, Chad Bembenek gave an in depth talk on laminitis - causes, early detection, signs and treatment. The students gained invaluable insight into the all too common condition that plagues domestic horses. Education and awareness are growing, but it is still largely undiagnosed and ignored. The warning signs are there if you know what to look for and what steps to take to prevent further pain and damage.
Equally eye opening was the presentation on Equine Dentistry by Todd Jaynes. Todd is a student of Natural Balance Equine Dentistry through the Advanced Whole Horse Dentistry Learning Center with Spencer LaFluer as well as a Field Instructor for the ESA. The importance of proper dentistry and how tooth and jaw issues can seriously debilitate a horse were made clear by Todd’s excellent lecture. Using different horse skulls he demonstrated anatomy of the head and jaw, various pathologies, normal and abnormal chew patterns and their consequences, dental techniques and their consequences and the profound impact the teeth have on the whole horse.
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The students also participated in several Critical Thinking exercises. The ESA believes that learning to think critically should be the basis for any education, and that it is essential in working with horses in the field. There is no formula for hoof or horse care that works for every horse, so practitioners need to be able to think their way through any given scenario in a logical and rational manner in order to come up with the best course of action for that horse at that time. The exercises helped the students learn to gather, evaluate and distill information, and constantly work on their thinking skills. More often than not, a horse with issues is a complex puzzle of cause and effect, often seemingly unrelated. Critical thinking skills help students to piece together that puzzle.
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The third and fourth day were spent on tool handling, trimming cadaver feet, doing dissections and live horse demonstrations. Students pulled shoes on the cadavers, evaluated the feet and then trimmed them accordingly. Once trimmed, they could dissect the feet and check to see if their evaluations held true. A demonstration of mapping the foot and determining where the internal structures were helped them to establish the boundaries of safe trimming. Working with various levels of pathology and multiple instructors gave the students a broad overview of many of the common issues that practitioners face in their work. Some students then opted to clean and take home bones from the cadavers they worked on for further study.
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The final afternoon was spent with live horses further demonstrating a whole horse evaluation and trimming. Instructors also showed the students how to properly handle the horses and how to safely position themselves for trimming.
The instructors held an open Q & A session for the students one evening to discuss any personal issues/problems they had encountered with horses. This is always a great opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the field of natural hoof care. The week ended with a wonderful dinner sponsored by the Academy and much fun was had by all.
The ESA looks forward to another great Orientation in the Fall.
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Dissections show the amazing complexity and inner structures of the hoof
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