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If you’ve attended a PHCP conference in the past, you know it is a great place to further your education as well as reconnect with old friends and meet new folks in the industry. We are looking forward to seeing you all again in person and to meeting some of our new members.
Early Bird Registration is open until August 1. Reserve your room at this special PHCP conference rate.
PHCP Conference attendance is worth 25 education and continuing education credits.
Header photo © Acton Crawford on Unsplash / Conference photos © Dana Whittle / vizou.com
Registration fees cover all three days of lectures, the Friday night Meet and Greet dinner, and lunch both Friday and Saturday. Sunday we will provide some snacks and lunch will be on your own after the conference wraps up.
Early bird registration pricing is available through August 1.
members/non-members – $325/$400
Regular pricing will take effect August 1.
members/non-members – $375/$450
Friday or Saturday only attendance may be purchased and includes lunch for that day.
members/non-members – $200/$250
Reserve your room at the special conference rates at The Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center.
The Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center is 2.5 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport with a complimentary shuttle to and from the airpot.
If you select a special dietary need when you register, please let us know what it is in the note provided at checkout.
Cancellation Policy
Registered conference attendees may cancel up until September 15 and receive a registration fee refund minus a $50.00 administration charge.
If you would like to promote your business at the conference but are not able to attend as an exhibitor, the following options are available.
A full-color ad in the conference program will ensure that all attendees discover your business.
Download the conference promo guide
Deadline for receipt of your ad is August 1, 2024. If you need help designing an ad, please email us at conference@progressivehoofcare.org.
Add your promotional item(s) to the conference swag bag (we estimate 150 bags). The cost for each item is $100. Complimentary swag bags will be assembled on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Please ship or bring your items to the hotel by noon on October 3. See the hotel shipping information below.
Donate an item or service voucher to be raffled off. Proceeds will go directly to our scholarship program, which provides funds to students in need, to complete their education. We will limit the type of donation to items too large and/or expensive to be swag. The number of items to be raffled will also be limited to keep the event within a reasonable time frame. If you would like to participate and support our scholarship program through this raffle, please contact Christina Krueger.
The hotel will accept shipments no earlier than 5 days prior to the conference (address below). Shipment must include the guest name (whoever will be receiving the package), the group name (Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners), and indicate “Hold for arrival date of Thursday, October 3, 2024”.
Receiving service charges:
Shipping and receiving address
Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare
5440 North River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Please mark shipment with receiving guest name, name of group (Progressive Hoof Care Practitioner) and your arrival date.
Advertising artwork – August 1, 2024
Swag bag items – noon, October 3, 2024
$100.00 – $600.00
Don’t forget to download the promo guide to help you prepare your program ad and keep on top of the deadlines for all promo items.
Want to become an exhibitor? Register here!
Cavallo is the home of the #1 Hoof Boots worldwide, technologically advanced saddle pads & more!
Learn moreWendy Murdoch, internationally known equestrian, author, inventor, and Guiild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner will present why the SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads are a valuable tool in any trimmers kit. In addition she will guide participants to greater ease of movement with an Awareness Through Movement® Lesson.
Learn moreWe are a company inventing, making and selling innovative new equine hoof care and health products. We are best known for our Artimud hoof putty!
Learn moreBVSc MVM CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM FRCVS RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Following graduation from The University of Bristol in 2001, David worked in farm animal and equine practice in Somerset, UK before completing an internship at Liphook Equine Hospital. A 3-year Horserace Betting Levy Board residency at The University of Glasgow and Liphook Equine Hospital enabled him to train as a specialist in equine internal medicine and to gain a masters by research into equine asthma and an RCVS certificate in equine medicine. David spent a number of years at Liphook Equine Hospital and had spells at The Royal Veterinary College and Charles Sturt University in Australia before moving to Rainbow Equine Hospital in Yorkshire where he became a director. David returned to his Westcountry roots in 2020 and now works as an independent equine medicine and therapeutics consultant. He is Immediate Past President of the British Equine Veterinary Association, chair of their health and medicines committee, and sits on a number of equine industry advisory groups. David has an active research interest in equine endocrinology and gastroenterology and speaks regularly internationally.
Ida Hammer is the creator and owner of MackinawDells 2 Whole Horse Hoof Care, founded in 2009.
She has taught over 2000 people around the globe about hoof care, and has personally trimmed over 200,000 hooves, making her one of the most experienced trimmers and equine educators in the world. She has been a member and instructor for the AANHCP and the AHA, and is a current member of PHCP. Ida’s classes, available online and in-person, are based on her own vast experience and learning from other equine professionals such as Dr. Deb Taylor, Dr. Bowker, Pete Ramey, Ray Hunt, Jillian Kreinbring, Dr. Kerry Ridgeway, Deb Davies, and so many more. Ida believes to be a true student of the horse, you never stop learning and growing, and her educational material reflects that hunger to know more. Ida has exercised horses on the track, enjoyed competitive trail rides, trained horses, loved mounted shooting, and has been blessed to have horses with her partner, Ada, for many years. When two of their heart horses were diagnosed as hopeless navicular cases in 1992 and again in 2004, Ida decided to dedicate her life to making the world a better place for horses and the humans who love them. What could have been a senseless tragedy, instead birthed Mackinaw Dells 2 Whole Horse Hoof Care. There are now over 100 certified trimmers from Ida’s program and that number is growing every year to serve more horses. The online classes and revolutionary educational tools have made it possible for people to learn to trim all over the world. Ida released her first Exploring The Equine Hoof Handbook in March of 2022 is also working on her new book that is planned for release summer of 2024. Ida currently trims 20-30 head a week to keep her hand in the game, and is now focusing on sharing information and teaching future trimmers, horse professionals, and fellow HoofNerds. All for the love of the horse.
Jenny Hagen, DVM, PhD, CF, is a veterinarian, researcher and certified farrier. She is in private practice for equine orthopedics, farriery and chiropractic, and is a member of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University in Germany. She is an Associated teacher at the Horseshoeing Schools Verden and Dortmund and an Associated Professor at the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy (head of the research group Equine Biomechanics and Orthopeadics). Jenny was the supervisor and clinician at the Horseshoeing School of the Clinic for Horses at Leipzig University. Jenny’s roll as a veterinarian, an educator, and a farrier give her a unique perspective into the equine hoof care industry.
Wendy Murdoch is an internationally recognized equestrian instructor and clinician for over 30 years, author of several books and DVDs, and creator of the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program® and Ride Like A Natural®. She is one of the most skillful teachers ever encountered in any equestrian discipline. Wendy’s desire to understand the function of both horse and human, her curiosity, and her love of teaching capitalize on the most current learning theories. In this way, she is able to help both the horse and the rider.
In 1984 while attaining her master’s degree in equine reproductive physiology, Wendy suffered a severe riding accident. Her self-rehabilitation started a quest to understand and answer the question of how to ride pain-free, using the body as it was designed. Wendy’s uncanny ability to find and study with the best people in a variety of fields and her profound curiosity make her unique. Wendy combines her creative talents with her scientific training to break down larger concepts of horseback riding as well as horse health into simple, easy-to-understand, bite-sized “chunks” for students of all ages, abilities, and disciplines. Her ability to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and fun through in-depth presentations helps her students connect the dots and achieve their goals.
Her studies include an apprenticeship with Sally Swift, extensive training with Linda Tellington-Jones, study with holistic veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman and equine biomechanics expert Dr. Hilary Clayton, and courses with Jon Zahourek (Anatomy in Clay®), To help her guide students towards better function Wendy became a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner® and continued her study through MBS Academy and Dr. Feldenkrais’ first assistant, Mia Segal.
Wendy’s willingness to embrace new ideas led her to develop the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program and SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads, which allow horses to reprogram their own brain in order to feel more grounded, secure, and confident so they can become a more willing partner.
In 2020 Wendy was introduced to the HAY SOAKER™, a product that was developed by Jennifer Azevedo to heal her horse’s health. Jen ceased manufacturing in 2012, yet people were still inquiring as to its availability. Having embraced the manufacturing world with SURE FOOT Pads, Wendy saw that this product answered a need in the equine marketplace — a simple, easy way to soak hay for horses that need reduced-sugar hay to improve their health. She acquired the product and along with her life partner, Bradley Schneider (an engineer) improved the design, updated certain components, and added a technology to create a modern method for soaking hay.
Celeste is an equine biomechanical lameness specialist and an expert in equine movement and muscle development. She is a pioneer for developing the horse’s physical body to protect the nervous system. In her practice, Balance Through Movement, Celeste focuses on releasing nerve impingements in the horse that causes restrictions and undiagnosed lameness, and teaching owners how to develop their horse’s body both in-hand and under saddle, utilizing intrinsic motivation and proper movement to prevent injury and nerve related problems. She is highly valued by veterinarians around the world for her ability to help them utilize a more holistic approach for lasting changes. Due to her background as a professional trainer and competitive rider, she is approachable and excels in teaching both trainers and adult amateurs alike. Her work is truly revolutionary for equine performance, lameness prevention and helping the horse-human dynamic.
Maia has been trimming since 2011 and is a PHCP mentor, practitioner, and clinician. Her clientele consists of healthy maintenance trims, rehabilitation cases, and performance horses. She also has a passion for educating horse owners. Maia’s goal is to raise the standard of equine care by teaching preventative and proactive strategies for strong healthy hooves, optimal biomechanics, and the use of boots and composite shoes as alternatives to metal shoeing. Visit Metta Equus to learn more.
Kristen is a professional hoof care provider offering trims and composite shoe applications for a variety of equines from performance to rehabilitation. Prior to her career as a hoof care provider, Kristen’s formal education includes Movement Science and biomechanics including bio-medical research with a focus on metabolism. Relatively new to the industry but a lifelong equestrian, Kristen’s under saddle knowledge helps her understand the requirements across a spectrum of disciplines and medical cases. Kristen is equally passionate about equine nutrition and offers her clients a complete spectrum of knowledge to help improve their hoof care from the inside out.
Most people know Alicia from her invaluable hoof care podcast, The Humble Hoof. Alicia also owns and operates The Humble Hoof Rehab Facility in Amesbury, MA, while running a full time hoof care trimming business. Alicia believes that getting a horse sound is often a matter of finding the right pieces to the puzzle such as diet, environment, trim, and biomechanics. She is determined to help owners find what works for their horse.
Ruthie emphasizes hoof health in concert with overall equine wellness and looks for ways to get every horse thriving, not just surviving. She graduated Montana State University with an all-around farrier education but the real education began after school. Ruthie took a major detour into whole horse hoof care after years of trimming and shoeing competitive and pleasure horses, and instead began studying and applying the work of Jamie Jackson, Pete Ramey and Dr. Bowker, among others. Ruthie is a PHCP mentor and has been maintaining her track system for 15 years..
Philip is a PHCP mentor, practitioner, and clinician and owns Not Only Barefoot. His specialties include performance and rehabilitation hoof care, and he utilizes boots and glue on hoof care protection when necessary. Philip believes in continuing education and attends seminars and clinics throughout the year. He strives for excellence in every challenge and believes in self-honesty and the ability to admit when making a mistake and to have the courage to change.
Sara started down the barefoot rabbit hole in 2006 with her first horse, Prophecy, who was facing retirement. Instead, with the benefit of barefoot hoof care and booting, Prophecy spent another 10 years enjoying the trails (and is still enjoying life at 36). After years of helping others with their horses on the side, Sara started offering her expertise professionally and now operates Spectrum Equine which offers barefoot trimming, rehabilitation work, and hoof protection (glue on shoes and booting), along with BEMER therapy and saddle fitting of Ghost Treeless Saddles.
Jeannean has been rehabbing horses barefoot since 2001. She is a PHCP mentor, practitioner, and clinician and serves on the PHCP Board of Directors. She has traveled to Canada, Italy, Spain, Aruba and all over the US to teach horse owners and hoof care professionals. Jeannean’s love of donkeys started when her horse Cricket needed a companion. In walked Chispa and let’s just say life was never the same. In a good way.
Cayce started Dare to Be Different Long Ear Hoof Care after meeting a foundered mini donkey named Doris who taught her how important it is for us to advocate for donkeys, and all animals. Cayce strives to help donkey owners understand specific dietary, handling, and environmental needs for donkeys. All of these things trickle down to the donkey’s feet. Cayce’s goal was to have two donkeys in her herd; now she has eight donkeys!
Christina’s hoof care profession began in 2012 after completing Ida Hammer’s Whole Horse Hoof Care Certification program. She became a PHCP practitioner in 2017 and achieved mentor status in 2019. Christina’s From Hoof To Heart practice focuses on maintenance, rehabilitation and performance hoof care. As the current PHCP President, Christina aims to continue helping the organization grow its membership and to educate hoof care professionals and horse owners about the importance of a holistic approach to equine hoof care.
Melody founded Whole Health Hoof Care & Trimming in 2010. She believes that healthy hooves depend on consistent, non-invasive trimming, proper and balanced nutrition, and plenty of movement, and strives to educate and empower horse owners to care for their horses in a way that optimizes their overall health and well-being. Melody is a PHCP mentor, practitioner, and clinician and offers maintenance trimming, rehabilitation, and glue on shoeing when necessary.
Day | Time | Activity | Location/Room |
---|---|---|---|
Thursday | 2:00 pm | Board of Directors meeting | TBA |
Thursday | 4:00 pm | Registration open | TBA |
Thursday | 5:00 pm | Members Business Meeting | TBA |
Friday | 7:00 am | Registration open | TBA |
Friday | 8:00 am | Welcome | TBA |
Friday | 8:15 am | Jenny Hagen, DVM, PhD, CF - What is the correlation between the function of the proximal locomotor system and body posture with gait and hoof conformation? Learn about the connection between conformation and the function of the neck, thoracic sling, back and pelvis with regard to gait quality and hoof conformation. Dysfunctions of the proximal locomotor system influence the locomotion pattern of horses, and specific body postures affect the load at the hooves and their conformation. It is the aim to give hoof care providers a basis for a more comprehensive evaluation of the horse and a better understanding about why specific hoof conformations occur and which motion patterns are related to the function of the proximal locomotor system (rather than to the toe conformation). By understanding these principles, the communication between the hoof care provider, veterinarian, manual therapist and owner will improve as well as the function of the locomotor system of each individual horse. | TBA |
Friday | 9:30 am | - - - | |
Friday | 9:45 am | Jenny Hagen, DVM, PhD, CF - Scientific insights into mediolateral balance and everyday hoof care. Mediolateral balance is a widely and sometimes misleading term used by equine professionals, particularly hoof care providers and veterinarians. In this presentation Dr. Hagen will clarify terms related to mediolateral balance and give an overview of current research findings in regard to trimming and shoeing. Learn about the static approaches and references to evaluate mediolateral balance of the hoof and the distal limb, and the dynamic aspects of this term during load and locomotion. Using current research findings, the vague term "balance" will be defined in a professional and practical background. | TBA |
Friday | 11:00 am | - - - | |
Friday | 11:15 am | Wendy Murdoch - Ease your aches with simple Feldenkrais®Lessons. Trimmers need simple, easy lessons that take only a few minutes to help find relief from aches and pains at the end of each day. As a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®, Wendy will guide participants through a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Lesson to alleviate stress, restriction and discomfort, and to create relaxation and ease, and greater freedom of movement. | TBA |
Friday | 12:15 pm | Lunch | TBA |
Friday | 12:15 pm | Trade show sneak peek | TBA |
Friday | 1:45 pm | Dr. David Rendle - Why and what hoof care professionals need to know about about obesity. Understand the importance of obesity and metabolic disease in the development of laminitis. Appreciate the importance of dietary management, exercise and managing metabolism in promoting weight loss. Learn why we need to be concerned about those horses that may not look that fat. | TBA |
Friday | 2:45 pm | - - - | |
Friday | 3:00 pm | Round table - Trimming Performance Horses with moderators Maia Chaput/Kristen Wertz | TBA |
Friday | 3:00 pm | Round table - Track Systems and Lifestyle with moderators Alicia Harlov/Ruthie Thompson-Klein | TBA |
Friday | 3:00 pm | Round table - Tool Selection and Maintenance with moderators Philip Himanka/Sara Hunt | TBA |
Friday | 4:00 pm | Trade show opens | TBA |
Friday | 5:00 pm | Meet and Greet at trade show | TBA |
Friday | 8:00 pm | Meet and Greet wraps up | TBA |
Saturday | 8:00 am | Dr. David Rendle - Managing hyperinsulinaemia and laminitis. Can we make laminitis a thing of the past? Explore the link between obesity, insulin and laminitis. Understand how we can identify horses at greatest risk of laminitis. Look at how the management of hyperinsulinemia has evolved. Review the latest research on medical treatments to manage hyperinsulinemia. | TBA |
Saturday | 9:15 am | - - - | |
Saturday | 9:30 am | Dr. David Rendle - Does PPID have a role in laminitis? How can we identify horses that have endocrine disease? | TBA |
Saturday | 10:45 am | - - - | |
Saturday | 11:00 am | Ida Hammer - Pre-hab beats rehab; why wear patterns matter. | TBA |
Saturday | 12:00 pm | Lunch | TBA |
Saturday | 12:00 pm | Trade show | TBA |
Saturday | 1:30 pm | Ida Hammer - Using whole horse hoof care for the best barefoot transition results. | TBA |
Saturday | 2:30 pm | - - - | |
Saturday | 2:45 pm | Wendy Murdoch - The connection between Posture, Balance and Behavior. As the founder of the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program and creator of SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads, Wendy will present an interactive lecture/demonstration to highlight the connection between posture, balance and behavior. In addition, she will describe how SURE FOOT Balance Pads assist hoof care professionals to create a safer working environment by helping horses relax while being trimmed. | TBA |
Saturday | 3:45 pm | - - - | |
Saturday | 4:00 pm | Round table - Hoof Pathologies with moderators Alicia Harlov/TBD | TBA |
Saturday | 4:00 pm | Round table - Donkey Feet with moderators Cayce Brockwell/Jeannean Mercuri | TBA |
Saturday | 4:00 pm | Round table - Avoiding Burnout with moderators Christina Krueger/Melody O'Brien | TBA |
Saturday | 5:00 pm | Cocktails and trade show | TBA |
Sunday | 8:00 am | Celeste Lazaris | TBA |
Sunday | 9:00 am | - - - | |
Sunday | 9:15 am | Celeste Lazaris | TBA |
Sunday | 10:15 am | - - - | |
Sunday | 10:30 am | Interactive anatomy breakout | TBA |
Sunday | 10:30 am | Panel discussion | TBA |
Sunday | 12:15 pm | Conference wrap-up | TBA |
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