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Diploma HE Farriery

Diploma HE Farriery

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. This innovative and dynamic course focusses on the application of Farriery science to professional practice and provides a unique opportunity for suitably qualified Farriers to enhance their personal and professional development.

The course has been structured to provide a flexible opportunity to study through a combination of distance (online) learning and on-campus delivery (students are expected to attend for 2 study days per month from September to May).

In addition, students on the course will be offered the opportunity to take the Train the Training Farrier Award (TTFA) course as a free additional qualification between years one and two of the programme which will enhance their coaching and mentoring skills and encourage them to become approved training farriers (ATFs).

Course modules

Year 1

Farriery Protocols

The student will acquire knowledge of physiologically based foot trimming protocols and how changes in the stance can be affected by hoof growth. The student will analyse the performance of the horse's gait and help manage lameness developing a greater understanding of the biomechanical effects of farriery interventions.

Modern Approaches to Farriery

This module Introduces the student to a variety of engineering processes required to fabricate remedial and therapeutic prosthetic devices including shoes. The module will also cover the use of polymers and acrylics and new approaches in equine hoof care.

Professional, Academic and Research Skills

The aim of the module is to enhance the student’s study, information technology, written, presentational, effective communication, numerical and professional skills. It will also foster research awareness, critical appraisal skills, the development of transferable skills, including the capacity for self-management, and the introduction of the concept of life-long learning as a professional. The module will also provide a holistic underpinning knowledge of anatomy and physiology which can be applied to their clinical practice. The acquisition of such skills and knowledge will enable the student to search for, identify and retrieve essential material of appropriate academic rigour and present information to an acceptable academic standard, skills which will enhance their academic performance throughout subsequent qualification modules.

Year 2

Pathophysiology of the Equine Limb

An appreciation of the pathology common diseases and disorders of the equine limb including aetiology, clinical signs, veterinary and farriery treatment protocols, how disease affects biomechanical function and prognostic indicators. The student will practise applying farriery protocols accurately accounting for biomechanical and environmental variation for common pathological conditions with the aid of diagnostic techniques.

Lameness Assessment and Diagnostic Imaging of the Equine Lower Limb

This module will include theoretical knowledge of the radiographic diagnostic techniques employed in veterinary practice and the significance of the relevant health and safety implications. The principles of radiation, radiography and emerging imaging techniques will be covered. The module content will be focused on common pathologies in the modern sports/leisure horses. This module will enable the student to develop an understanding of diagnostic techniques, and interpretation for farriery based podiatric therapies prescribed by attending Veterinary Surgeons.

Farriery Clinical Case Studies

This module will enable the student to demonstrate their ability to work independently in the production of a negotiated project of the student's choice on an area of special clinical interest. The content of the module will be directed and identified during the exploration of the nature of the project. The project will demonstrate critical reflective and analytical skills in the selection, preparation and presentation of material. In the process of evaluation and analysis it will be necessary for the student to conduct case studies. This module will develop the observational and analytical skills necessary to enable the student to achieve this.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

The minimum qualification for entry will be a tariff agreement of advanced standing into Level 5 complete. Students must be qualified registered farriers, listed on the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) register having gained the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (Dip WCF) and have a minimum of one year of post qualification experience, taken from the date of first registration. During their studies the student is required to be employed in, or have agreed access to placement in a suitable farriery clinical environment for a minimum of 12 weeks annually.

Students from outside the UK will be expected to register with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) and should contact the FRC in advance to get further information on the up to date requirements for registration.

Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Experience/Learning (APE/L) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis. Transferable/Key Skills and AS levels may be used to contribute to the entry requirement but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Career experience of student skills may also be considered.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 or equivalent. The applicant must forward evidence of eligibility to the College prior to acceptance on the course.

All offers may be subject to successful interview.

Learning and assessment

Learning Environment

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lesson delivery on Canvas for each module the student is studying, and lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops during the study days. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and collaboration will form an important part of the course and the student’s personal and professional development. Students will also have access to specialist IT hardware and software where necessary to support their studies.

Assessment

Students will face a variety of assessments including a combination of coursework, unseen examinations and practical assessments. The coursework assessment methods will include essays, reports and case study work.

Additional Information:

We are mindful of the extra support required by students taking the blended learning route and have included in the course, study provision events at the Myerscough campus. Prior to the commencement of the course, an intensive introductory 2 day study programme will be held in early September. It is vitally important that students attend these first study days as we will be able to assess the support required, provide technical advice on the use of Canvas, discuss the course, introduce the course leader, module and personal tutors and begin lesson delivery for all modules. It is also an opportunity for students to ask any questions which they might have about the course and to meet their fellow students, beginning the development of the peer support network which they will find very helpful during their studies with us at Myerscough. In addition, there will be 2 study days in College per month from October to May.

Year 2 of the course involves 2 study days in College per month from October to May and students are expected to attend them all as part of the course.

The study day sessions will include theoretical and practical sessions, seminars, specialist guest speakers, interactive workshops and group discussions in addition to affording opportunities for exchange of information within peer groups, group and individual tutorial sessions with module and personal tutors. Myerscough has excellent teaching, practical and clinical resources and specialist farriery and veterinary guest speakers, experts in their fields, who are a key component of the study weekend programmes. Accommodation on campus cannot be guaranteed but a comprehensive list of local accommodation is available on request.

What work experience can I get?

The nature of the course, which embraces module outcomes from both a theoretical and clinical perspective, necessitates access to practice. Students will therefore be required to be employed in, or have agreed access to, placement in a suitable farriery clinical environment for at least 12 weeks annually.

Progression

Upon successful completion of the course students may apply for further academic opportunities including the BSc (Hons) Farriery course, which is completed part-time via blended learning.

Careers

The course aims to provide a programme of farriery related education which will enable Dip HE Farriery holders to analyse key academic themes in the subject area and critically evaluate the wide range of management issues within different sectors of the equine hoof care and farriery industry, which will therefore prepare them for a successful career in the UK or overseas. The course promotes an ethos of self-development and reflection throughout the curriculum in order to foster a greater personal awareness and the confidence necessary to manage others. The course is designed with the intention that its graduates will be able to function effectively at a managerial level within the equine hoof care and farriery industry. Modular content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout.

Examples of possible careers included:

  • Senior farrier in Specialist Referral Veterinary Practice
  • Lecturer/Senior Farrier in Farriery Schools
  • Technical Advisor in Specialist Manufacturing and Distribution Companies
  • Lecturer in Educational Establishments
  • Consultancy in Equine Podiatry and Hoof care

Managerial positions in Welfare Organisations

Professional accreditations

To study this course the students must be registered with the Farriers Registration Council having gained the Diploma of the WCF.

Special requirements

Access to a personal computer, the internet and a current email account is essential, recommended computer software requirements are:

· Microsoft Windows 10 (or equivalent)

· Broadband internet access

The following software is available as free downloadable software and will also be required:

· Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (2017)

· Adobe Flash Player 26.0.0.131

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:

· Books - approximately £500 (recommended texts will be indicated on reading lists).

· Accommodation during study periods at Myerscough College.