CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 

CURRICULUM 2010        (click here for previous years) 

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The Equine Sciences Academy program is designed as a two year course, and is outlined below as such.  Your actual completion time may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, your schedule, ability to pass all required elements before progressing, prior experience etc.  The program is flexible and is designed to accommodate different schedule requirements.  

 

Anyone enrolled in the program may challenge and "ACE" (Academy Course Exemption) an online course and receive credit with a passing grade.  If you have prior experience, this may allow you to complete the program in a shorter time frame.  Orientation week, all practicums and exams are still required.  If you require more time to complete the program, we allow for that also. 

 

The first "year" includes Orientation Week, three modules of online courses, three practicums and finals.  During this time, you are considered a student. You may register for each term as a complete module, or take courses individually.  Online course work is then done at your own pace, and practicums are scheduled with an instructor at the appropriate time.  Once you have completed all the requirements for the the first term, you may register for the second and so on. 

 

The second "year" includes a trim intensive, home study requiring three detailed case studies, verifiable ongoing field work, three practicums and finals. During this time, you are considered an intern and will still have full access to Academy resources and support from instructors. 

 

Anyone may also audit an individual online course without enrolling in the Academy.  There will be no exam given, and the Academy will not track or document auditors.  If at some point, you wish to enroll in the program you may “ACE” any courses you have taken and will receive credit with a passing grade, provided you have completed all the prerequisites.  

 

 

 

 

 

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it" 

 

...   Aristotle  

 

 

 

***  IMPORTANT *** 

 

As with any school or university, the curriculum may change from time to time.  Be assured, however, that once enrolled, your graduation requirements will not change.  The published curriculum at the time of your enrollment will remain in effect until you graduate.  Courses may be substituted, but no requirements will be added at a later date.  In the event that new courses or requirements are added to the catalog during your enrollment, you will have the option to take them, but they will not be required for your graduation.  A copy of each year's curriculum and course catalog will remain on the website for reference. 

 

Also important to note, as with a college diploma, once you are certified by the ESA your certification cannot be revoked at a later date due to changing and/or additional requirements. 

 

 

FIRST YEAR OUTLINE   (Student Year) 

 

Orientation Week -  Workshop, location varies, open to the public (duration to be determined) 

Program Overview and Orientation 

Classroom lectures 

Horse Handling 

Introduction to Natural Horse and Hoof Care 

Distal Limb Anatomy and Dissection 

 

First Term  -  Online Courses 

 

1107     Foundations of Natural Hoof Care 

1207     Understanding Farrier Science and practices 

1307     Equine Anatomy -  Distal Limb 

1407     Hoof Pathology - Part 1 

1507     Equine Behavior 

1607     Critical Thinking 

 

First Practicum -  Three day class, location varies (Enrolled students only, Orientation and passing all First Term classes are a pre-requisite) 

Hands on training with an instructor.  Review of First Term materials, and practical application of First Term theory in the field. Evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements.  

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Second Term  -  Online Courses 

(For Students enrolled in the Acdemy, passing all First Term classes and the First Practicum are a pre-requisite, exams may be taken at your convenience at the completion of each course. For auditors you may take any available course at any time) 

 

2107     Equine Anatomy - Digestive System / Internal Organs 

2207     Fundamentals of Equine Nutrition 

2307     Fundamentals of Equine Dentistry 

2407     Understanding Veterinary Science and practices 

2507     Complementary Equine Health Care - Part 1 

2607     Hoof Pathology - Part 2 

 

Second Practicum -  Three day class, location varies (Enrolled students only, passing all Second Term classes is a pre-requisite) 

Hands on training with an instructor.  Review of Second Term materials, and practical application of Second Term theory in the field. Evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements. 

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Third Term  -  Online Courses 

(For Students enrolled in the Acdemy, passing all Second Term classes and the Second Practicum are a pre-requisite, exams may be taken at your convenience at the completion of each course. For auditors you may take any available course at any time) 

 

3107     Equine Anatomy - Musculoskeletal  

3207     Complementary Equine Health Care - Part 2 

3307     Equine Bio-mechanics 

3407     The Effects of Environment on Equine Health 

3507     Business Basics 

3607     Hoof Pathology - Part 3 

 

Third Practicum -  Three day class, location varies (Enrolled students only, passing all Third Term classes is a pre-requisite) 

Hands on training with an instructor.  Review of Third Term materials, and practical application of Third Term theory in the field. Evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements. 

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Final Exam  

(Passing all Third Term classes and the Third Practicum are a pre-requisite) 

Online Final 

Practical and Written Final - Workshop, location varies 

 

Graduation Application  

The Academy will verify eligibility based on completion of all requirements. 

 

Graduation 

If your graduation application is verified, you will graduate from the Academy, and will be considered an intern. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

 

SECOND YEAR OUTLINE   (Intern Year) 

 

Trim Intensive  -  Workshop, location varies,(duration to be determined) 

(Graduation from the Academy is pre-requisite)  

A combination of review and application of first year material in the field and introduction to advanced hoof care. This week is designed to assure students are prepared and competent on live horses before they embark on their Intern year, and to prepare them for their field work and Case Studies.  

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this workshop) 

 

Case Study 1 - Home Study 

A case history of a client horse with pathology that includes detailed notes, pictures, actions recommended and taken and outcome assessment. The format for the study will be provided by the Academy. 

 

First Internship Practicum - Three day class, location varies  (Case Study 1 and Trim Intensive are pre-requisites) 

Analysis of Case Study 1 and hands on training with an instructor.  Advanced practical training and evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements. 

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Case Study 2 - Home Study 

A case history of a client horse with pathology that includes detailed notes, pictures, actions recommended and taken and outcome assessment. The format for the study will be provided by the Academy. 

 

Second Internship Practicum -  Three day class, location varies  (Case Study 2 is a pre-requisite) 

Analysis of Case Study 2 and hands on training with an instructor.  Advanced practical training and evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements. 

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Case Study 3 - Home Study 

A case history of a client horse with pathology that includes detailed notes, pictures, actions recommended and taken and outcome assessment. The format for the study will be provided by the Academy. 

 

Third Internship Practicum - Three day class, location varies  (Case Study 3 is a pre-requisite) 

Analysis of Case Study 3 and hands on training with an instructor.  Advanced practical training and evaluation of skills and recommendations regarding competence and/or further training requirements. 

(additional training or more field work may be necessary before progressing if the student has not yet mastered skills required in this practicum) 

 

Internship Final 

Online Final 

Practical and Written Final -Workshop, location varies (duration to be determined) 

 

Certification Application 

The Academy will verify eligibility based on completion of all requirements. 

 

Certification 

If your certification application is verified, you will be Certified as an ESA Hoof Care Practitioner. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

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