Equine Lameness Prevention Organization

NB Certification Details

Live Sole – Hoof Mapping Certification (LS-HM Certified) {50 Points Total}

1. Practical Test {30 Points Possible} (Criteria is as follows – see Study Criteria Sheet for Details)

a. Work conducted on a minimum of 3 feet, where at least 1 is a hind foot

b. Identify Hoof Deformities (If Any Exist)

c. Locate and Identify the Live Function Sole

d. Accurately Map Out the Foot

2. Written Test {20 Points Possible}

a. Test knowledge will include:

i. All Ways to Locate WPOF

ii. Recognize Deformities (From Drawings)

iii. Approximate Location of the Tip of the Coffin Bone

iv. Defining Live Sole & Relationship to the Distal Border of the Coffin Bone

v. Locate all part of the foot

vi. Ethics/Professionalism

Certified Natural Balance Barefoot Trimmer (CNBBT) {70 Points Total}

1. Practical Test {40 Points Possible} (Criteria is as follows – see Study Criteria Sheet for Details)

a. Work conducted on 1 Horse (all 4 feet), plus 3 additional feet where at least 1 is a hind foot

b. Pre-Trimming Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness

c. Accurately accomplish all tasks of the LS-HM Certification #1

d. Trim hoof for being left barefoot according the NB Hoof Trimming Protocol (Study Criteria)

e. Post-Trimming Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness

2. Written Test {30 Points Possible}

a. Test knowledge will include:

i. All Items Previously covered in LS-HM Certification

ii. Correct chronological order of trimming process

iii. Identification of different hoof types (club, underrun, neg. plane, etc.)

iv. Recommendations of barefoot horse husbandry

v. Ethics/Professionalism

Certified Natural Balance Farrier (CNBF) {100 Points Total}

1. Practical Test {50 Points Possible} (Criteria is as follows – see Study Criteria Sheet for Details)

a. Work conducted on 1 Horse (all 4 feet), plus 4 additional feet where at least 2 are hind feet

b. Pre-Shoeing Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness

c. Accurately accomplish all tasks of the LS-HM Certification #1

d. Shoe the horse according the NB Shoeing Protocol (Study Criteria)

e. Post-Shoeing Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness

2. Written Test {35 Points Possible}

a. Test knowledge will include:

i. All Items Previously covered in LS-HM Certification & CNBBT test

ii. Correct chronological order of shoeing process

iii. Identification of different hoof types (club, underrun, neg. plane, etc.)

iv. Selection of proper shoe style, model, material

v. Ethics/Professionalism

3. Forging Skills Test {15 Points Possible}

i. Modify keg shoe of choice to meet NB specifications

ii. Modify NB Front - Narrow to fit either boxy type front foot or broad-toed hind foot

iii. Modify NB Hind - Broaden to fit either boxy type front foot or broad-toed hind foot

iv. Pull Quarter or Side Clips on NB Shoe

Certified Lameness Specialist (CLS) {100 Points Total}

1. Will be evaluated on the ability of the farrier to gain information and insight about the lameness from the owner, trainer, current (or past) farrier, and veterinarian as to the symptoms or possible causes of the lameness.

2. Farrier needs to have working knowledge of the diagnosed or speculated lameness issue, as well as the possible causes and available treatments. (Veterinary diagnosis, prescriptions, and continued involvement is highly recommended and in many cases may be required by state law.)

3. Farrier must have a moderate working knowledge of Radiographs, and what to look for from a farrier standpoint as far as pathology and treatment approach gleaned from the Radiograph image. (Again, Veterinary diagnosis, prescriptions, and continued involvement is highly recommended and in many cases may be required by state law.)

4. Must establish possible treatment plan, and how to determine when to make changes if required. (Again, Veterinary diagnosis, prescriptions, and continued involvement is highly recommended and in many cases may be required by state law.)

5. Must be able to recognize both live & false sole, as well as determine healthy or unhealthy bars & frog, as well as know when it is appropriate to remove the false sole and unhealthy bars.

6. In cases of laminitis, must be able to properly de-rotate the foot and provide ample protection to the distal border of P3.

7. Ability to properly apply one of the following treatment tools to an available lameness case without compromising the health, comfort and well-being of the horse.

Lameness Issues Covered:

- Navicular Syndrome/Disease

- Coffin Joint Disease

- Collateral Ligament Strain/Damage

- Impar Ligament Strain/Damage

- DDFT Strain or Lesions

- Suspensory Ligament Strain

- Hock, Stifle & Back Pain

- NPDP Syndrome (Negative Plane)

- Ring Bone (High & Low)

- Quarter Crack Repair

- Coffin & Navicular Bone Fracture

- Tendon Lacerations

- Laminitis/Founder

- Cushing/Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance

Products/Devices Used or Instructed on the Use Of:

- EDSS

- Steward Clogs

- Hoof Wall Extensions

- P3 Fracture or Multi-Purpose Plates

- Hospital Plates

- Adhesive & Repair Composites (Urethane & Equilox Based)

- Pads (Double Nail Pads, Wedge Pads, NB Pads, Perforated Pads)

- Sole Support Materials

CLS Exam Details

1. Practical Test {65 Points Possible} (Criteria is as follows – see Study Criteria Sheet for Details)

a. Work conducted on 1 Horse (Grade 2 Lame or Higher), plus 4 additional feet where at least 2 are hind feet

b. Pre-Shoeing Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness

c. Accurately accomplish all tasks of the LS-HM Certification #1

d. Based on initial evaluations (from a farrier’s standpoint), offer suggestions and insight into the possible issues that are contributing to the lameness and what your plan might involve as far as a treatment which can be legally and ethically applied by a farrier. (Veterinary involvement is suggested and may be required in some states.)

e. Shoe the horse according the NB/EDSS/CLOG Protocol, or as agreed upon by You and the Examiner (Study Criteria)

f. Post-Shoeing Evaluation: Determine Heel-First, Flat or Toe-First Landing; as well as overall comfort and soundness, as well as you ability to accomplish the goals set forth in section (d.).

2. Written Test {35 Points Possible}

a. Test knowledge will include:

i. All Items Previously covered in LS-HM Certification, CNBBT test, & CNBF certification test

ii. Defining/Recognizing Laminitis/Founder & Sinking/Rotating

iii. Symptoms/Signs of Equine Metabolic Syndrome

iv. Correct chronological order of shoeing process

v. Identification/Explanation of Hoof Morphology during Laminitis

vi. Indications of using EDSS on other pathologies

vii. Selection of proper shoe style, model, material

viii. Ethics/Professionalism

Testing Procedures:

1. At present time, the testing to become certified at any level will be done during set courses offered through the ELPO & EDSS, unless other arrangement can be made directly before or after one of these events. Future testing events & locations may become available; however qualified NB Testers must first be established before that option will be available.

2. You must proclaim your desire to test and at what level at the start of the course, as your skills and knowledge will be reviewed throughout the course.

3. You must complete each Certification in the order listed. That means that in order to become a Certified NB Farrier, you will have already needed to pass the LS-HM Certification and the NB Barefoot Trimming Certification.

4. With the exception of the LS-HM Certification, all certification tests require at least 1 horse in its entirety be worked on. This “complete” horse will be worked on near the end of the course. The other feet that will be evaluated (3 or 4 depending upon the Certification Level) may come from different horses that are worked on throughout the course. Any foot that the person testing works on is subject to be reviewed by the tester and may count towards the outcome, with or without the knowledge of the person being tested. In other words, every foot you work on will potentially count towards your certification; therefore you must follow the specified protocol on every foot because it may contribute to you receiving or not receiving your certification

5. There will be a short written test that will primarily be Multiple Choice, however we may have a few questions that are “fill in the blank” or short sentence answers. You will have approximately 60 Minutes to complete this exam.

6. As mentioned above, you will be required to work on one complete horse (4 feet) by yourself. Although there is not set time limit, the comfort and well being of the horse must be considered, so the following time frame should be set as a goal; LS-HM Certification (30-45 Minutes), NBBT Certification (60 – 90 Minutes), NBF Certification (90 – 120 Minutes), & LS Certification (3 Hours).

7. Before or during the Practical Test (hands-on test), the person testing should be able to answer questions regarding why a particular tool/product is being used or not being used based upon the particular needs of the horse.

8. For the basic Lameness Specialist Certification, the person testing will need to be able to treat whatever lameness case may be available, with whatever tools are required to help the horse.

9. Final Certification Score will be a combination of points earned from each section of the exam. Next to each certification description, there is a Total number of “Points” that can be earned through the examination process. After each section (Practical, Written, etc.), there is a Maximum number of “Points” that can be earned during that part of the exam. The combined “Points” earned from each section will be your Total Points. Passing scores are as follows:

a. LS-HM Certification = 38 Points

b. NBBT Certification = 53 Points

c. NBF Certification = 75 Points

d. CLS Certification = 75 Points

e. Exception: Receiving lower than a 70% on the Written or Practical Exam will constitute a Failing grade on the entire Certification Exam, regardless of the Total Points earned.

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