Professional Hoof Care Practitioners are hosting an Anatomy, Trimming and Hoof Protection clinic from Feb. 6-8, 2027, in Florida. The clinician is Jeannean Mercuri.

This three-day clinic fulfills the Beginner series clinic requirement for PHCP students.

Day 1

Anatomy and booting

Day 2

More anatomy and hands-on with cadavers for casting, power tools, and shoe removal

Day 3

Finish up with cadavers and live trimming (we will cover the first time seeing a client’s horse and trimming for the client)

Open to all skill levels, from beginners picking up a rasp for the first time to experienced trimmers seeking to elevate their expertise. Some of the topics covered include:

• Basic distal limb anatomy
• Exploration of anatomy through cadaver trimming and dissection
• Trimming with power tools and grinder safety
• Shoe removal for ease and comfort to both horse and trimmer
• Transitioning to barefoot
• Alternative forms of hoof protection
• Fit and use of a wide variety of boots including Equine Fusions, Scoot Boots, Renegades, Soft Rides, Cavallo, EasyCare and more, based on performance, rehab or rider needs (glue-on protection is not included at this clinic)
• How and when to use hoof casting
• Which padding options to utilize for various pathologies and rehab needs
• How to perform modifications and repairs to hoof boots
• Casting on cadavers
• Booting on live horses

Prerequisites

• Read through the PHCP Introduction to Equine Diet and Lifestyle.
• Study the PHCP Introduction to Equine Hoof Anatomy.
• Visit Anatomy of the Equine to get familiar with the distal limb anatomy before you attend the clinic.
• Consider purchasing online coursework and ebooks.

What to Bring

If possible, students should bring their own tools (gloves, apron, nippers, rasp, knife, hoof pick, shoe pullers, and stand) but we will have some to share. If you have a cadaver leg of your own that you would like to dissect, please let us know and bring it along. Cadaver legs are getting hard to come by and can be quite expensive, so if you have access to some, we would be grateful.

Accommodations

Jeannean Mercuri will send out an email with all of the information regarding the event address, travel, lodging, meals, and more before the clinic. If you have questions, please contact Jeannean at (631) 434-5032 or email at neanpiggy@me.com.

Clinician

Jeannean Mercuri, The Hoof Fairy, spends most of her time in Florida and returns to New York to teach. She began her journey into barefoot trimming in 2001 and joined PHCP in 2009, becoming a practitioner, mentor and clinician, as well as the director of education (until 2023). Teaching and continuing her own education are Jeannean’s passions. Years of working with Gerdas Equine Rescue in Vermont, and referrals from local veterinarians on the tough founder cases, have given her extensive experience with hoof protection in rehab work as well as for clients needing hoof boots for everyday riding.

Please read the PHCP Code of Conduct before attendance. Sign up at progressivehoofcare.org/2024/10/anatomy-trimming-florida. Auditing will not fulfill the beginning series anatomy class requirement. Cancellations made one month in advance of the clinic start date will receive a full refund. Between a month out and two weeks in advance of the clinic, cancellations will receive a 50% refund. If the clinic is cancelled for any reason, the student will receive a full refund. Purchasing refundable airline tickets is recommended.