Sunshine Coast Farrier/Blacksmith Academy.
We Encourage Life Long Learning.

Our Academy is located in the mountains, on the outskirts of Kin Kin,
 in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland.



Our Academy is unique to Australia
 as we offer Intensive Farrier/Blacksmith training,
with a hands-on in-depth approach.

Superior Quality Education Is Our Objective.

Our Courses are aimed at:

· Students who desire to Start in Professional Farriery.
· Students who desire to give Quality Hoof Care to the Horses at their Own Stables.
· Students who desire to Increase their Knowledge of the Equine Industry.
(Having additional skills to increase job placement).

If being a Farrier is your objective, that’s great!
As the horse industry is expanding at a rapid rate, the demand
for Competent Trained Farrier’s is strong.
Professional Farrier’s need to be trained to provide an optimum service
which allows horses to perform to there full potential.

At our academy, we spend time on things you need to know to successfully
practice a business in the art of Farrier/Blacksmithing in today’s world.
If you love the outdoors, horses and traveling around, Farriery is for you.

At our Academy, we practice on horses at home and out in the field.
We will give you the Attention you Need to Succeed.
We have strictly limited enrollments to ensure you receive
 personalized tuition (one to three students per course).


The Sunshine Coast Farrier/Blacksmith Academy
is currently offering two courses:

Farrier/Blacksmith Craftsmanship 1.

Farrier/Blacksmith Craftsmanship 2.

 

BASIC COURSE DESCRIPTION

Farrier/Blacksmith Craftsmanship 1.

This is a six-week course concentrating on these areas:

· Equine Anatomy and Physiology
· Horse Handling
· Basic Forge work, Hot Shoeing
· Foot Balancing/Trimming
· Business Skills

We Specialize in Shoe Making
 
What you can expect to know on course completion:

Horse Analysis:
 
· Understanding and knowledge of horse’s leg and hoof anatomy.
 · Knowledge of how the horse travels, why he travels that way and, if   necessary, how to alter his gait.
· Recognizing and adjusting lower leg and hoof deformities.
· The ability to improve the horse’s movement through trimming and therapeutic shoeing.

Job Skills:
 
· Trim horses in a balanced way.
· Forge necessary shoes from barstock.
· Shape shoe and nail it correctly to foot.
· Clinch and finish the foot.
· Basic forge and arc welding.

Tools:

· Competence in the use and maintenance of all tools used in the art of farriery.
· How to make some of your own hand tools.

Personal and business development:

· Confidently display knowledge of leg and foot anatomy using appropriate terminology.
· Competently discuss fundamental horseshoeing concepts using appropriate terminology.
· Fundamental knowledge of business marketing and record keeping.
· Possess confidence in relationships with clients, veterinarians and others in your profession. 


DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

HORSE ANALYSIS

Anatomy of the legs and feet.
You will learn how to recognize and name parts of the lower leg and foot.

· Structure of the horny capsule
· Tendons
· Bones
· Ligaments and types

Physiology of the legs and feet.
You will learn how the different parts of the leg and foot work.

· External and internal foot structures
· Functions of tendons, ligaments and bones
· Effects of changes in their relationships

Equine Conformation
You will learn how to recognize the differences in conformation of various breeds and
develop a standard as to what constitutes desirable conformation in horses and why.

· Positions of legs and feet
· Shapes and forms of feet
· Reasons for desirable conformation
· Faults in conformation
· Problems caused by faults
· Horse breeds and various uses
 
Horse handling
You will learn how to apply correct horse handling in the farrier industry.

· Safety
· Demonstrate desirable attitudes towards the horse
· Assessing the horses’ farrier education
· Handling young horses
· Handling first time horses
· Analysing and advising on problem horses.



JOB SKILLS

Trimming and dressing the hoof.
You will learn how to correctly trim and dress the hoof to promote a balanced horse.

· Safety
· Uses of tools
· Body positions under the horse
· Removing the shoe
· Reducing the various parts of the hoof
· Balancing the hoof
· Rasping and dressing the hoof
· Handling horses
· Field work
 
Blacksmithing and Shoemaking Procedures.
You will learn how to proficiently design and make Quality Hand Made Shoes to custom fit each individual hoof.
You will also learn the art of making some basic hand tools.

· Safety
· The Forge
· Techniques and uses of tools
· Working heats of steel
· Determining size and length of barstock
· Forming, shaping and finishing shoes
· Forge welding
· Arc welding

Accurate Farrier Techniques
You will learn how to accurately fit your quality hand made shoes to the individual hoof.

· Safety and horse sense
· Purposes for shoeing
· Body positions for shoeing
· Properly balancing the hoof
· Tools and uses
· Correct application of shoe to hoof
· Correct driving of nails
· Clinching and finishing work 



TOOLS

Hand Made Tools
In the initial stages of the course, you will be taught,
the art of making some of your own Blacksmithing Tools.

· Safety
· Forging Blacksmith tools
· Maintenance of tools

Mobile Shop Tool Kit. 
Apron
Tool box 
Anvil 
Portable Gas Forge 
Hoof stand
15” nipper
15” pull off
Clincher
Clinch cutter
Crease nail puller 
Clinch block
Stamp
Creaser/Fuller 
Rounding hammer
Forge tongs 8 mm
Forge tongs 10 mm
Driving hammer
Knife
Rasps (two)
Rasp handles (two)
Pritchels (two)
Hoof testers 
Horseshoeing ruler
Text book- The Principles of Horseshoeing III. By Dr. Dough Butler
Sylabus Manual 
This Mobile Shop Tool Kit will be allocated to you at the start of the course and is yours to take home at the end of your training. The Mobile Shop Tool Kit enables you to start your quality Farrier/Blacksmith work as soon as you finish the course. It is made up of high quality Farrier  and Blacksmithing tools.

Full Mobile Tool Kit is Optional, 
you can choose to BYO tools or  use our tools, and buy tools after you have completed the course.
 
 


Text book- The Principles of Horseshoeing III. By Dr. Dough Butler,
Sylabus Manual, Knife and shoeing apron are included in tuition price.  

PERSONAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Professional Attitudes
You will learn the fundamentals of starting your own farrier related business.

· Identify objectives
· Business planning
· Professional appearance
· Successful marketing
· Record keeping

Professional and Public Relations
You will learn how to confidently communicate practical, useful
knowledge and information related to the farrier industry.

· Working relationships with other professionals
· Customer relations
· Responsibilities of the farrier to horse owner
· Responsibilities of the horse owner to the farrier
· Equipment/vehicle maintenance
· Personal appearance

There is also an optional "Farrier Fitness Program" for you to enjoy during the course of your stay with us.

Testimonial

"I found the Sunshine Coast Farrier Blacksmith Academy a warm
and friendly environment in which to learn the skills of a farrier.
Mark Hogno's equine knowledge in handleing, anatomy, shoeing
and shoe making is incredible. This is matched by his natural
ability to teach both practical skills and pass on a wide range
of information in an easily understandible manner.
My time at the academy has given me an excelent grounding
in the skills necessary to start on the road to being a good
 farrier. I wish Mark, Jacky, Tsara and Mikyla all the best
in the future with the Academy and would thoroughly
recommend it to anyone wishing to follow a career in
this Industry"

Bill Butler, Waikaka, South Island, New Zealand.
If you would like to contact Bill you can email us and we
will give you his details.
mark@smartfarrier.com