Equine Guelph has announced two free online courses for the racing community again this winter, developed in response to industry demand and supported by education partners. Racehorse Hoof Care is a new course for 2027 that will be offered in addition to the return of the popular Racehorse Respiratory Health course.
The new Racehorse Hoof Care course will debut Feb. 22 to March 5, 2027, providing participants with practical, evidence-based, welfare-based knowledge about hoof health, soundness and performance. The returning Respiratory Health course, running from Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, has been updated with new research content, giving past participants a reason to take another look.
Industry Ambassadors Julie Walker and Renée Kierans will return to support learners and spark discussion on key topics.
Both courses are fully online, flexible and free for Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) licence holders, Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society members and Standardbred Canada members aged 16+. No prior online learning experience is required. To register for the course(s), visit thehorseportal.ca.
Racehorse Hoof Care – A Practical Short Course for the Horse Racing Industry (Feb. 22 – March 5, 2027)
“No hoof, no horse is a common saying in the equine industry,” said Equine Guelph director Gayle Ecker, “but what is the science behind it? This practical short course explores the anatomy and function of the equine hoof with a focus on how evidence-based care supports soundness and performance.”
This course is designed for people in the industry who are involved or aspire to be involved in working with racehorses. You already know your horse. You’ve probably dealt with thrush, watched your farrier trim and worried through a lameness episode or two. This course connects you to the science behind healthy hooves, using language that doesn’t require a veterinary degree to understand.
Over two weeks, the course will explore the basic hoof anatomy building to advanced management strategies. Along the way, the course will discuss how the hoof contributes to overall equine health and athletic performance while incorporating the science behind the equine hoof. This practical short course will equip you with greater knowledge regarding how the hoof functions and prepare you to be more involved in the care of your horse’s feet.
Racehorse Respiratory Health Course (Jan. 25 – Feb. 5, 2027)
Are respiratory issues affecting your horse’s performance on the track?
In a survey conducted by Equine Guelph, ‘respiratory issues’ were identified as a significant health challenge facing equine athletes. Racehorses are elite athletes and best performance can only be achieved with optimal health. Given the demanding life of the equine athlete, a high number of racehorses are at risk for several different respiratory concerns. There are ways to reduce the risk through many daily management routines.
The course was last offered two years ago and returns with updated content and new research findings. Equine Guelph encourages previous participants to register again as a refresher and to explore newly added research sections covering haylage, steamed hay, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and the impacts of air pollution on respiratory health.
This online short course can be of benefit for all racehorse trainers and grooms in order to reduce the risk of respiratory issues in your barn and improve your horse’s performance on the track.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for this course. Having been around Standardbred racehorses most of my life I thought I knew a great deal about this subject but I was surprised there was so much more to learn. I highly recommend taking this course,” said Frank Reid, a Standardbred owner from Lasalle, Ont. and past student of the Racehorse Respiratory Health course.
These courses are made possible thanks to the generous support of Equine Guelph’s industry partners: Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, Central Ontario Standardbred Association, the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Standardbred Canada.
(With files from Equine Guelph)