Welcome to the Equine Sciences Academy

You need only observe a wild horse for a short time to appreciate the waywardness of our horse keeping practices, and why we face such a myriad of health and soundness issues. The ESA looks to the lifeway of the wild horse as the model for equine health and soundness because we believe that equines, or any creatures that are kept in a manner that is consistent with their nature will fare far better in a domestic environment than those that are kept in ways alien to their physiology.

Whatever your area of interest in working in the equine industry, this program is designed to give you a thorough, fundamental understanding of all the key aspects of horse husbandry in today’s world, and the tools to apply what you have learned to equine care and management. The ESA offers both an Equine Sciences Degree and Certification in Natural Hoof Care, and is the most comprehensive natural hoof care certification program offered anywhere.

The Academy is founded on the belief that the practice of focusing on one aspect of a horse’s body, environment, habits etc. without due consideration of the other possible mitigating factors in his life is inherently flawed.  For example, most hoof care issues do not originate in the hoof – simply learning to trim is not enough !!!

The science behind a thriving horse is complex, but the principles are simple — the closer he gets to a natural equine environment and lifestyle, the healthier he will be in mind, body and spirit.

Research is needed to further understand the science. Education is the key to helping professionals and horse owners apply the principles.

This Academy is dedicated to both.

We do not believe that any one person or organization is “the” source or has all the answers.  We believe that knowledge is a dynamic collective work – one we should all contribute to, draw from and share. 

Whose trim do we teach? 

We teach the trim that any given horse needs in his particular situation on that given day. We do not believe any formula, gimmick or personality has any place in trimming, or that any one person has all the answers. To ascribe a “correct” trim to a person is to ignore the authority – the horse.The horse is always working to optimize the health, form and function of his feet and we need to work with him and listen, not impose our ideas and preconceived notions. While there are some elements held in common, each horse is unique and must be approached with that held firmly in mind. This is true in any part of the world.