The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is opening applications for its Graduate Diploma in Equine Locomotor Research (Grad Dip ELR) course in the United Kingdom.

The course will allow farriers to conduct research while honing their own skills in order to increase the evidence behind farriery and improve horse health.

The course will be primarily taught by Dr. Thilo Pfau, senior lecturer in bioengineering, Dr. Amy Barstow, assistant lecturer in clinical skills, and Renate Weller, professor in comparative imaging and biomechanics.

Instruction will begin in January 2019 and the course can be completed between 2 to 5 years. The course is based in the U.K. and will utilize a combination of face-to-face learning, webinars, podcasts and residential weekends.

To qualify for the program, 2 years farriery experience is necessary, including hands-on experience with advanced hoof-care issues, and be eligible to register with the U.K.’s Farriers Registration Council.

The Grad Dip ELR has been designed so that it meets the requirements for the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers examination.

“The Grad Dip ELR has quickly benefited my everyday life as a farrier,” says current student Lauren Love. “I can research client’s questions and answer them with factual information, and I have gained more confidence with the complex theory of laminitis, my chosen area of study. I highly recommend this course to all farriers who would like to further their career. It provides great support for the transition into higher education with state-of-the-art resources and quality lecturers – I would have found the course very daunting without their support.”

For more information on the program or to apply, visit their website. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2018.