The Equine Elite 4-H Club of Prince Albert, Sask., is trying to help deal with the farrier shortage while raising money for its future activities.
The club will host a clinic with professional farrier Cec Bendle Oct. 24-26 at the club’s home base, Royal Ebony Stables, near Prince Albert. The clinic is intended to teach 4-Hers how to do regular maintenance trims of their horses’ hoofs.
The need for farrier skills prompted Bendle and the 4-H club to hold the fundraising clinic.
“I’ve been retired for four year now and I still get a number of SOS calls from people who just can’t find anyone,” Bendle said.
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He worked as a farrier for 25 years after graduating from Olds College’s advanced farrier science certificate program.
He said he wants to provide clinic participants with a better understanding of how to properly care for a horse’s hoofs.
“There’s a fairly complicated anatomy to a horse’s foot that doesn’t meet the eye. It has repercussions on the horse’s performance,” he said.
The clinic will begin Friday evening with a two-hour discussion on how to secure co-operation from the horse. Bendle will walk students through the farrier process Saturday and Sunday.
Students who bring their horses will get a hands-on demonstration for $65 ($50 for 4-H members). Others are welcome to audit at $50. Half-day demonstrations are $15.
All proceeds from the clinic will go to the Rural Prince Albert 4-H Club. For information, call 306-764-4007.
“I’m not sure how many want to get involved. It’s quite demanding physically, but it’s an alternative we’re going to try,” Bendle said.
