On the 23rd-26th October 2009, Equinology® are running their "Principles of Saddle Fitting and Shoeing Dynamics" in California.
Dr. Kerry Ridgway, DVM is teaching and he is brilliant. I've taken this course before and got so much out of it. If I were the USA as opposed to Australia I would definitely be signing up to do it again!
It is great for horse owners, practitioners and vets - and now that it is RACE (Registry of Approved Continuing Education) approved it is a fantastic way to get your continuing education/ professional developement hours.
There is more info below or you can go directly to the site to sign up, just click on the link below.
http://equinology.com/info/course.asp?courseid=15
More info from the Equinology® site:
"If you are an owner, it's time you learned exactly how a saddle should fit instead of listening to marketing gimmicks and misinformation. In the USA this course is now RACE approved. Please see details below.
Our instructor for this course, Dr. Kerry Ridgway, DVM, a household name worldwide, is also certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. He presents this 4 day clinic with slides, examples of trees, pads, saddles, shoes, wedges, measuring devices, templates, demonstrations, and a variety of horses with saddle fitting and shoeing issues. Saddle fit topics and practicals encompass 85% of the course. The remainder of the course addresses farrier issues. This includes issues we should look for in the foot and how it can also affect saddle fit.
Because most of us cannot run out and buy a new saddle if it no longer fits, Dr. Ridgway addresses this common problem by offering ideal, existing, and temporary solutions.
Course Outline (2 Parts):
Part 1, Saddle Fitting:
• Indirect problems caused by poor saddle fit (behavioral, performance, and referred pathology issues)
• Direct problems caused by poor saddle fit (trauma to muscles and skin)
• Anatomical and physiologic signs of poor saddle fit
• Proper placement of saddles
• Saddle fit pertaining to the static posture (standing still)
• Saddle fit pertaining to the dynamic posture (movement)
• Correlation between the static and dynamic fit
• Existing and ideal solutions for saddle fit
• Actual science of saddle pressure and fit
• Evaluating the horse’s back
• Proper palpation of the back
• Proper reflex tests
• Evaluating the saddle off the back then the correlation of it on the back
• Evaluating the saddle with the rider up
• Fitting and measuring the saddle using the current various methods
• Pros and cons of various measuring devices
• Instruction on making templates you can use
• Saddle pad materials and functions
Part 2, Farrier Issues:
• Anatomy and care of the feet
• Normal functions of the foot
• Pastern/hoof axis
• Balanced shoeing and trimming
• Location and causes of lameness
• Reading the break over
• How shoeing/trimming affects the horses’ performance
• The balanced hoof
In the farrier portion of the course, Dr. Ridgway relates the lower leg conformation and shoeing techniques to how this will affect the work of the equine care provider, equine massage therapist, chiropractor and acupressure/acupuncture therapist as well as the effects on the horse's Myofascial system.
Prerequisite: Horse handling skills and a thorough understanding of equine safety a must! Knowledge of veterinary vocabulary and anatomy strongly suggested or completion of EQ100, 101, 102 or comparable program.
EQ700 has been RACE (Registry of Approved Continuing Education) approved: program number: Program Number: 462-5413
Number of Hours of CE for Veterinarians: 29.50 (maximum for one veterinarian: 29.50)
Number of Hours of CE for Veterinary Technicians: 29.50 (maximum for one veterinary technician: 29.50)
This program was reviewed and approved by the AAVSB RACE program.