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Program

PHCP training program

In addition to the supportive community that Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners provides we offer a training program for members who seek certification as professional hoof care practitioners. The training enrollment form collects information about your experience, previous training, and goals. This information will help us to place you at the appropriate level. Everyone is welcome and accepted into this training program, even those unsure if their goal to become a professional. There is no time constraint on completing the steps. Click on Step 1 above for instructions on enrolling.

Location

Clinics and PHCP Mentors are located around the US and in Eastern Canada. There will be a fair amount of travel to mentors as students are required to work with a number of different mentors throughout their training, and not just the one/s close to home.

Cost

The total cost of completing the training program will vary widely from student to student. Factors such as the level you enter and the amount of travel needed according to your location will determine this. Estimate your total costs to complete certification.

Education credits

We encourage our members to continue their education and keep up to date with the latest hoof care practices. PHCP Certified Practitioners and Mentors must earn a minimum of 10 credits per year.

Education scholarships

PHCP is in need of scholarship fund donations for 2025. Support a student with a one-time donation in the amount of your choice or a recurring donation.

If you’d prefer to donate by check, please mail it to Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners, 6590 Camino Carreta Carpinteria, CA 93013.

Make a monthly donation Make a one-time donation

Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Applications for 2025 will open on January 1. Scholarship funds will be used to help students in need progress in the training program to become certified professionals. These funds will cover required clinics, webinars, and mentorship fees, as well as travel expenses. Intermediate Student Practitioners and Advanced Student Practitioners are eligible to apply for the Education scholarship.

Our PHCP Starting Gate scholarship is awarded to one beginner in our training program each year. Students at the beginning level must complete at least one mentorship or beginning clinic to be eligible.  A written recommendation from a PHCP Mentor, Clinician or Practitioner must accompany the Starting Gate application.

Professionals joining

We have many professionals who have training elsewhere join PHCP. Some are looking for PHCP certification. In these cases we look to see that all the subjects required in the training program have been covered. For PHCP certification a minimum of two mentorships with two different mentors is required. Additionally we will ask for a submission of a maintenance trim presentation (the IS Media Presentation) as preparation for the final media presentation.

Others are not looking for PHCP certification but would like to be part of a hoof care professional group for support, to share ideas and take advantage of member pricing on webinars and events. These professionals may join as a supporting member.

Becoming a PHCP Mentor

Requirements

Prospective Mentors must have a minimum of 5 years working as a professional hoof care provider and be a certified PHCP Practitioner.

Prospective mentors check list

1. A recommendation from a PHCP Mentor must be submitted online.
2. Once the recommendation is received and approved the Practitioner will be notified and may submit a Prospective mentor application.
3. Join a PHCP committee and participate for one year to learn more about the organization operations.
4. Participate in the online forum and/or the private Facebook group, answering questions posted by students and members.
5. Complete one of the following in person trainings. Please review the Mentor’s Training document before your hands on training.

• Attend a Mentors Training and Advancement Retreat and submit a one page report detailing your biggest takeaways.
• Complete two teacher training mentorships, one with a beginner and one with an advanced student, with two different PHCP Mentors. Each of these mentorships will be two days and will include shadowing the Mentor as they teach and practice teaching. Mentors will be paid by PHCP. A written report of what you learned will be submitted by the prospective mentor at the completion of each mentorship.

When steps 1 thru 5 have been completed and approved, prospective mentors may submit their videos for evaluation.

Our stance on full-time hoof protection

While glue-on boots, composite shoes, and any other full-time protection product can be useful in palliative cases, transitions, and short term for performance events, we recognize that full-time protection does not allow for continued development and conditioning of hoof structures. The use of removable hoof protection is ideal for supporting proper mechanics on all terrain, while allowing for conditioning and natural wear of the hoof in its turn out environment.