MHS Curriculum

The curriculum of Midwest Horseshoeing School includes instruction on the anatomy and conformation of the horse with special emphasis on the lower limb, and the diagnosis of faulty gaits and comformation problems. Also included in the curriculum is practice in iron work, forge work, hoof repair and trimming, corrective shoeing, and custom shoeing.

During the twelve-week session, many different breeds of horses will be shod to familiarize the student with a variety of types of shoeing.

Some keg shoes or factory shoes are used to acquaint students with their use. However, students will make all of their shoes from bar steel. By the time the course is completed, students will have a number of different types of handmade shoes they make, and are theirs to keep.

Throughout the course, students will be provided countless opportunities to learn and practice a variety of horseshoeing techniques. These exercises are an integral part of the course program of instruction due to the wide variety of shoeing methods employed by the successful working professional horseshoer. For the student at MHS, learning which breeds of horses respond best to certain methods of shoeing is essential to successfully completing the course.

At MHS the curriculum also places emphasis on the various ways to trim a horse's hoof and provides a practicum on the diverse kinds of shoes which encourage a horse to respond to a particular gait.

In some cases, such as with harness horses, gaited horses, or speed horses, basic theory must be modified to achieve maximum performance, making horseshoeing a complicated art ... but an art which can be learned through the unique and rewarding combination of lecture, laboratory, and practical experience provided students enrolled at Midwest Horseshoeing School.

Emphasis on forge work gives students a strong background for corrective shoeing.

Restricted class size insures each student the opportunity for individualized instruction.

Laboratory work allows for practice in all types of corrective and pathological shoeing on a variety of horses.

Guest lectures by horseshoeing professionals stimulate professional growth.

Field trips to show barns and race tracks in the area provide first hand experience.