2026 – An industry leading, practical and scientific course delivered in a flexible format to suit your learning
Vocational Units | Unit Details | Fees | Entry Requirements | Delivery & Duration | Location | Equipment | Course Texts
Articles & Handouts | Student Support | Master Classes | Career Opportunities
Course Overview
Upheaval from the lost Covid years gifted ACEP course designers time to evolve and restart with a ‘new’ Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy that is no longer a part of the rigid accreditation system. The ACEP Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy aims for maximum flexibility to cater for students with other demands on their schedules that make full time study not possible. Unlike online study this course is unique. There is an extensive number of hours of practical ‘hands on’. The course curriculum evolves with current scientific and industry knowledge. The course focuses on practical skills development particularly in equine lameness rehabilitation. In addition, ACEP provides course alumni ongoing support from the College and opportunities for collaboration with fellow students of the ACEP community. The ACEP graduate is therefore fully equipped and supported to forge a successful career in equine podiotherapy.
Flexible Course Format
Students are provided with the unique opportunity to study on site ‘in-residence’ at Mayfield Farm near Yarck in Victoria over the year via six individual residential blocks (5-6 days) to be completed sequentially. These residential blocks are designed to be completed in one year but can be completed in two or three years depending on a student’s individual requirements.
Students will be required to complete assignments in their own time between residential blocks. A case study portfolio must be delivered by each student over a period that extends beyond the formal blocks. This case study portfolio must be completed within a year of the last block.
Evolving Course Content
ACEP course designers have a vast number of years’ experience teaching in the hoof care industry. They know that the best way to nurture observation and fine motor skill sets is with multiple residential blocks of face-to-face contact. The residential blocks are spread out over the course year to allow students interim practice gathering experience which can be further built upon in subsequent classes.
Course delivery comprises a great mix of theory and practical sessions with most days beginning in the classroom and finishing with demonstrations and trimming sessions under the watchful guidance of ACEP assessors. Course delivery over a full year provides students valuable exposure to seasonal variation in hooves and associated pathologies. The course is delivered by a team of qualified lecturers comprising of hoof care professionals, vets and musculoskeletal therapists who are all highly regarded in their respective fields.
Course Campus
Mayfield Farm is located near Yarck in picturesque Northeast Victoria. Mayfield is a working cattle and sheep farm that also has an extensive equine enterprise which includes working stockhorses, breeding, retirement agistment and a lameness rehabilitation centre.
Mayfield is a superb learning environment, with a purpose-built comfortable classroom that has ready access to a huge range of freeze dried and skeletal anatomical specimens to bolster theory lectures. For practical demonstration and trimming sessions there is a huge range of equines of all shapes, sizes and hoof issues.
ACEP Graduates
Once qualified you will join the ranks of a highly regarded cohort that has become synonymous with the best quality barehoofcare in Australia.
You will also qualify for membership of the Equine Podiotherapists’ Association of Australia which provides access to ongoing learning opportunities and great networking with other progressive hoofcare professionals.
Vocational Units of Equine Podiotherapy
There are 12 subjects which are all core:
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- Safety and health in the equine hoofcare workplace
- Handling equines for hoofcare
- Equine biology
- Functional anatomy of equine limbs
- Equine orthopaedics
- Equine hoof development
- Integrated equine biomechanics
- Equine barefoot rehabilitation
- Sustainable equine hoof protection
- Infection control in the equine industry
- Profitable equine hoofcare
- Equine first aid
Please note these subjects vary in size and complexity and most are taught progressively throughout the duration of the course. Competence in each unit is only possible by completing all six blocks of study. Equine podiotherapy is an applied science so the theory taught in each of these subjects is supported by numerous practical sessions for students to apply their knowledge and skills. Assessment will be both theoretical and practical and to the performance standard expected in the equine hoofcare workplace.
Optional elective unit: Attaching equine orthotics with nails and screws (extra fees apply)
Course prerequisite:Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) To be completed independently before commencement in February 2025
Vocational Unit Details
| Safety and health in the equine hoofcare workplace
Setting up and maintaining a safe workplace |
Handling equines for hoofcare
General principles of equine handling |
| Equine biology
Musculoskeletal system |
Functional anatomy of equine limbs
Structures of the lower leg and how they function (including: bones and joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, epidermis, dermis, vasculature, nerves, adipose tissue) |
| Equine orthopaedics
Equine evolution |
Equine hoof development
Foal hoof development |
| Integrated equine biomechanics
Recognising and analysing stance (conformation, posture, body shape)
|
Equine barefoot rehabilitation
Hoof management issues (inc: hoof cracks, separation etc) |
| Sustainable equine hoof protection
Hoof boots |
Equine First Aid and emergency care
Measure and record vital signs of horses
|
| Profitable equine hoofcare
Legal requirements of small business |
Infection control in the equine industry
Standard precautions for infection prevention and control |
| Attaching equine orthotics with nails and screws (optional elective unit)
An optional unit for those students who wish to learn how to safely and competently nail and screw on various orthotics including tips and polyshoes. |
|
Fees:
The full fee for the Diploma of Equine Podiotherapy includes tuition, course notes and amenities fees. It does not include accommodation.
The total fee for the Diploma is $8000 and is GST free. This includes a $1000 non-refundable but transferrable deposit.
Payment instalments are made prior to blocks as detailed below
| Deposit: | Due with Enrolment documents | $1000 |
| Instalment 1: | Due: January 26, 2026 (2 weeks prior to Block 1) | $2000 |
| Instalment 2: | Due: March 16, 2026 (1 week prior to Block 2) | $1000 |
| Instalment 3: | Due: April 28, 2026 (1 week prior to Block 3) | $1000 |
| Instalment 4: | Due: July 28, 2026 (1 week prior to Block 4) | $1000 |
| Instalment 5: | Due: October 5, 2026 (1 week prior to Block 5) | $1000 |
| Instalment 6: | Due: November 16, 2026 (1 week prior to Block 6) | $1000 |
| TOTAL | $8000 |
Course entry requirements
Previous experience
Experience in handling horses is required. Attendance at a Barefoot Blacksmith trimming workshop (or one of our affiliate’s workshops) is recommended.
Physical requirements
The physical requirements for entry into this course are based on the significant demands placed on the human body when handling horses’ legs for trimming. A certain level of fitness and agility is essential to ensure a student’s safety, as well as the safety of others and the safety of the horses in their care. This career is not for everyone.
Disability restrictions
The equine hoof care workplace is inherently, potentially hazardous. Students need to be able bodied and of sound mind to interact safely with horses. Clear vision and use of limbs are essential. Certain disabilities would create an unacceptably high risk of injury or death to the student, other students, lecturers or horses.
Age
Parental consent will be required for those not yet 18 years of age at the time of course commencement. Training and assessment staff who deliver training to persons under 18 years of age will hold a current Working with Children Check.
Competent English
No minimum education standard is set as a prerequisite to entry into this course. However, a general command of spoken and written English, as well as the ability to write a simple report is required, equivalent to a level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework. This course requires the satisfactory completion of oral and written tasks.
The ACSF framework stipulates appropriate levels for: Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral Communication and Numeracy.
Pre-Training Review
A Pre-Training assessment in Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) is a mandatory government requirement in the induction phase of a potential student. This enables Australian College of Equine Podiotherapy to identify those learners who may need additional support (e.g. if they have low English levels) and to identify whether a learner’s physical attributes may influence their ability to complete the training and assessment. This involves completing some task sheets and an interview before enrolment in the course.
Course prerequisite
A current qualification in human first aid (Provide First Aid HLTAID011) is a prerequisite before course commencement.
Course Delivery and Duration
The course is designed to be completed in one year.
The course is delivered in six intensive blocks of face-to-face lectures and practicals.
2026 INTAKE BLOCK DATES
| Block 1 February | 6 days | Monday 9th – Saturday 14th February |
| Block 2 March | 6 days | Monday 23rd – Saturday 28th March |
| Block 3 May | 5 days | Tuesday 5th May – Saturday 9th May |
| Block 4 August | 5 days | Tuesday 4th – Saturday 8th August |
| Block 5 October | 5 days | Monday 12th – Friday 16th October |
| Block 6 November | 5 days | Monday 23rd – Friday 27th November |
Assignments are to be completed at home between the blocks. Students are also required to complete a series of in-depth case studies to prove competence in a range of different situations to attain their Diploma. This portfolio must be completed within a year of completing block 6.
The course is flexible and can be completed in 1,2 or 3 years. This allows for individual schedules and “Life Happens” situations. Blocks must be completed in order. Consequently, when taking into consideration the case study portfolio, full qualification can be obtained in 1 ½ -4 years.
College Location
The college is based at Mayfield, 470 Middle Creek Road, Yarck, in North-East Victoria. Mayfield is a picturesque 1000-acre farm that breeds cattle, sheep and horses. Property owners Andrew and Nicky Bowe have developed this farm into a rehabilitation centre for lame horses and an agistment centre for retirees.
There are usually 70-100 equines residing at Mayfield which provides a wide range of learning opportunities for students.
The campus provides a comfortable air-conditioned and heated classroom, full student amenities, accommodation, and camping facilities. There is also a range of off-campus accommodation options within easy driving distance.
Equipment and P.P.E.
Students need to supply their own trimming gloves and it is a condition of the college insurance that students must wear an approved (Australian Standards) safety riding helmet during the handling of live horses. Loan tools and farrier aprons are available from the college but if you are travelling by car, please bring your own if you can. Gloves, aprons and a large inventory of trimming tools are available for purchase, but not safety helmets.
Course Texts
The following texts are supplied as part of your course reference material:
- Davies, Z., 2005. Introduction to Horse Biology. 1st Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
- Wagoner, D. (ed.), 2005. Lameness: Recognizing and Treating The Horse's Most Common Ailment. Guilford, United States: The Lyons Press.
- Bowe, A. and Bowe, N. 2013. The Pony That Did Not Die – Healing Laminitis with Barefoot Rehab. 1st Yarck, Victoria: The Barefoot Blacksmith.
- Edwards, A. 2014. First Response: A Practical Guide to Caring for your Sick or Injured Horse. Lal Lal, Victoria: The Equine Care Clinic.
- Kaufmann, S, Cline, C. 2017. The Essential Hoof Book – The complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet. Vermont: Trafalgar Square Books
Your lecturers will have suggestions for other textbooks you might like to add to your collection that will help you build a great reference library to assist you in the future.
Research Articles and Handouts Issued in Class
During this course you will be given many published research articles on hoof care. These are meant to help you gain an understanding of the various research projects being undertaken in this field, and to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of anatomical terms.
Some will contain aspects on hoof care practices and methods not shared by your course developers; you are encouraged to discuss these and to question why they have been included in your course material.
It is vital you have knowledge of the various traditional treatments for hoof problems offered to your future clients, so you can discuss with horse owners and attending veterinarians why you feel natural rehabilitation should be considered as a viable alternative.
These articles are offered as an overview of what is happening in this fast evolving industry and to assist you in learning critical thinking skills when reading any research material.
Student support services
Being a student is exciting, but it can also be challenging. College staff can be approached to seek advice on academic and personal issues, offering professional and confidential advice in areas where they can help to ensure a positive learning experience is achieved.
Support services may include but are not limited to:
- Referral to LLN specialists/short courses
- One on one discussions with lecturers/administration
- Perpetual free attendance at future Barefoot Blacksmith trimming workshops
- Perpetual free attendance at herd trimming days at Mayfield.
- Payment plans that can be tailored to suit both parties
- 10 % discount on trimming tools purchased from the Barefoot Blacksmith during first year as a student.
- Supply of trimming tools and PPE to borrow during study blocks
- Option to use horse at Mayfield for trimming practice and case studies
- Networking with other lecturers and trimmers for practical trimming experience.
- Information for associations and insurance
- Insurance whilst a student
- Printing of notes and assessments
Master Classes/Seminars
In conjunction with the Equine Podiotherapists Association of Australia, the college helps to facilitate occasional master classes for past and present students and hoofcare/musculoskeletal themed conferences for the wider equine industry.
Career Opportunities
The sky is your limit! This training opens up a huge field of work. In Australia at present the demand for properly trained bare hoof care specialists far exceeds supply.
It is impossible to meet the demand for Equine Podiotherapists at this time!
