Educating “tomorrow’s equine practitioner” continues to be a major challenge as the information explosion and the public’s demand for medical excellence continue to grow and expand.

When it comes to educating veterinary students, the ability to provide essential training, expertise and experience in all disciplines, as well as with a myriad of species, means some aspects of veterinary medical education may only be lightly covered.

Or in some instances, it may not be covered at all.

The Big Picture

Dealing with equine lameness and foot problems are but one portion of the bigger picture of educating a veterinarian. And it is well known that many academic practices have limited access to the input of a full-time, experienced farrier. The ideal situation in such an environment is for the institution or practice to employ a full-time farrier who is experienced, innovative and curious and who possesses the patience and ability to teach others.

Long-term examples of such positions exist at the University of Pennsylvania, University of California-Davis and Cornell University.

The farrier-teaching program that I have been most familiar with is the one at the University of Pennsylvania at the New Bolton Center. My first exposure to this program was with Jack P. Anderson in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He was an incredibly generous…