PBHT: Proper Balance Horse Trim [Certification Requirements

Will be expected to be consistent with quality of work on ‘normal’ horses.
Will need to have exposure to, and instruction on, various hoof pathology theories and issues, chiropractics, Cranial-Sacral, Dental, Acupuncture and Acupressure, massage, etc.
Will be expected to have a beginning level of understanding of PBM (Proper Balanced Movement) and overall body balance.
Will be expected to have some knowledge of, and exposure to, horse evaluations.
Will be expected to have some knowledge of, and exposure to, safe horse handling techniques.
Will be expected to have some knowledge and experience with Equine Hoof Photography.
Will be expected to have some knowledge of, and exposure to, reading radiographs.
Will be expected to have some knowledge of basic hoof anatomy and pathology and horse anatomy.
Will not be expected, or encouraged, to handle pathology issues – without direct supervision. Direct supervision will be by way of in-person consultations, when ever possible, and by working through phone calls, emails and photographs.
Will be expected to have a good understanding of how to use and care for tools and equipment.
Will be expected to have some exposure to and a reasonable understanding of equine boots and slippers.
Will be expected to have some exposure to and a reasonable understanding of foam rubber therapeutic pad systems.
Must be able to demonstrate a reasonable proficiency of communications skills.
Must be able to pass a proficiency test, which will include a written, oral and practical (trimming) portion to the exam.
Will be encouraged to communicate with other PBHT trimmers and/or apprentice with them when ever possible.
Will be encouraged to gain knowledge of other trimming protocols, but will not be a requirement to achieve Level I.
Minimum of six (6) months training and trimming experience will be required to achieve Level I.

LEVEL II – APPRENTICE LEVEL

Quality of work is expected to be more consistent with better accuracy on ‘normal’ horses and on some milder pathological cases.
Will have exposure to, and begin becoming more knowledgeable of, various pathology issues.
Will have more exposure to, and begin becoming more knowledgeable of, the roles played by chiropractics, Cranial-Sacral, massage, acupuncture and acupressure, dentistry, etc. in achieving a sound, healthy horse.
Will have exposure to saddle / tack fitting.
Must have more exposure to, and a higher knowledge of, reading radiographs.
Will be well versed at Equine Hoof Photography.
Must demonstrate more knowledge of, and reasonable proficiency with, safe horse handling, to include some knowledge of sound training techniques.
Must demonstrate more knowledge of, and reasonable proficiency with, horse evaluations.
Must have a greater knowledge of hoof pathology, anatomy, and a higher level of horse anatomy.
Must have a higher degree of skill / knowledge of PBM (Proper Balanced Movement) and how to use it to trim more affectively for a balanced horse.
Must demonstrate more understanding of, proficiency with and care for tools and equipment. Must be able to maintain a sharp knife – at a minimum.
Must have a greater understanding of, and some experience with, equine boot and slipper systems.
Must have a greater understanding of, and some experience with, foam rubber therapeutic pad systems.
Must demonstrate a higher level of communication skill.
Must demonstrate a higher degree / ability to think through problems / issues, and express said thoughts in a sound, logical manner; and be able to accomplish the work expressed by the thought process.
Must begin developing sound logical thinking skills necessary for developing rehab protocols for pathological cases.
Will be permitted to work on more complex and/or severe pathological cases. Will still be expected to consult with an approved instructor / mentor as a safety precaution and to help further ones education.
May be able to assist Introductory Level trimmers on ‘normal’ cases.
Must have some exposure to, and knowledge of, shoeing theories, equipment and devices, i.e., shoe types and styles and their supposed intended purposes.
Must be able to pass a proficiency test, which includes a written, oral and practical (trimming) portion.
Will be encouraged to communicate with other PBHT trimmers and/or apprentice with them when ever possible.
Will be expected to have at least some practical knowledge of other trimming protocols.
Minimum of two (2) years of training and trimming experience will be required to achieve Level II.

LEVEL III – SEASONED TRIMMER

Quality of work is expected to be more consistent with better accuracy on ‘normal’ horses and on more severe pathological cases.
Will have more experience with, and knowledgeable of, the various pathology issues.
Will have much more exposure to, and knowledgeable of, the roles played by chiropractics, Cranial-Sacral, massage, acupuncture and acupressure, dentistry, etc. in achieving a sound, healthy horse.
Will have a greater degree of exposure to saddle / tack fitting.
Must have a good knowledge of, and an ability to, read and understand radiographs.
Must be well versed at Equine Hoof Photography.
Must demonstrate more knowledge of, and better proficiency with, safe horse handling, to include more knowledge of sound training techniques.
Must demonstrate good knowledge of, and a higher proficiency with, horse evaluations, with greater accuracy.
Must have a greater and more in-depth knowledge of hoof pathology, anatomy, and a higher level of horse anatomy.
Must have a higher degree of skill / knowledge of PBM (Proper Balanced Movement) and how to use it to trim more effectively for a balanced horse.
Must demonstrate more understanding of, proficiency with and care for tools and equipment. Must be able to maintain a sharp knife and flat nippers – at a minimum.
Must understand and be proficient with equine boot and slipper systems.
Must have very good understanding of, and be reasonably proficient with, foam rubber therapeutic pad systems.
Must demonstrate a higher level of communication skill, be it written or spoken.
Must demonstrate a higher degree / ability to think through problems / issues, and express said thoughts in a sound, logical manner; and be able to accomplish the work expressed by the thought process. Greater consistency and accuracy will be expected.
Must demonstrate good logical evaluation and thinking skills necessary for developing rehab protocols for pathological cases.
Will be expected to be able to work on more complex and/or severe pathological cases. Will still be expected to consult with an approved instructor / mentor as a safety precaution and to help further ones education.
May be able to assist Introductory Level trimmers on ‘normal’ cases and Apprentice Level trimmers on ‘normal’ to moderate cases.
May be expected to consult with clients with pathological cases, but will be expected to confer with Level IV trimmers or PBHT Educators for confirmation and/or additional ideas.
Must have greater exposure to, and knowledge of, shoeing theories, equipment and devices, i.e., shoe types and styles and their supposed intended purposes. Practical shoeing experience will be beneficial, but not necessarily a requirement.
Must be able to pass a proficiency test, which includes a written, oral and practical (trimming) portion.
Will be encouraged to communicate with other PBHT trimmers and/or apprentice with them when ever possible.
Will be expected to have a greater degree of knowledge of other trimming protocols and understand of the difference between PBHT and the other protocols.
Minimum of four (4) years of training and trimming experience will be required to achieve Level III.

LEVEL IV – EXPERIENCED SPECIALIST

Quality of work is expected to be extremely consistent with a much greater accuracy on anything from ‘normal’ horses to severe pathological cases.
Will have high level of experience with, and knowledgeable of, the various pathology issues.
Will have very good exposure to, and knowledgeable of, the roles played by chiropractics, Cranial-Sacral, massage, acupuncture and acupressure, dentistry, etc. in achieving a sound, healthy horse. Specific training or practical experience of any of the above will be of great benefit, but is not a requirement.
Must demonstrate a good understanding of, and have direct knowledge of, saddle and tack fitting techniques and issues.
Must demonstrate good proficiency at reading and understanding radiographs.
Must demonstrate good proficiency at Equine Hoof Photography.
Must demonstrate much more knowledge of, and very good proficiency with, safe horse handling, to include a higher level of knowledge of sound training techniques. Specific training or practical experience of any of the above will be of great benefit, but is not a requirement.
Must demonstrate very good knowledge of, and a high proficiency with, horse evaluations, with great accuracy.
Must have much greater and more in-depth knowledge of hoof pathology, anatomy, and a higher level of horse anatomy.
Must have a high degree of skill / knowledge of PBM (Proper Balanced Movement) and how to use it to trim very affectively for a balanced horse.
Must demonstrate very good understanding of, proficiency with and care for tools and equipment. Must be able to keep all tools in good working order. Should be able to make modifications to various tools as needed to achieve a high level of workmanship or proficiency.
Must have sound knowledge of, and be proficient with, equine boot and slipper systems.
Must have sound knowledge of, and be proficient with, foam rubber therapeutic pad systems.
Must demonstrate a high level of communication skill, beit written or spoken. Must be able to accurately and affectively consult with horse owners and / or any number of the other equine related professionals.
Must demonstrate a high degree / ability to think through problems, issues, variables and contingencies, and express said thought process and contingencies in a sound, logical manner; and be able to accomplish the work expressed in the thought process. Consistency and accuracy are a must.
Must demonstrate very good skills at developing rehab protocols for pathological cases.
Will be expected to be able to work on complex and/or severe pathological cases. Consulting with an approved instructor / mentor as a safety precaution will be advisable, but shouldn’t be necessary on anything less than the more severe cases.
Will be able to assist any lower level trimmer and may be able to mentor or apprentice lower level trimmers as well.
Must have greater exposure to, and knowledge of, shoeing theories, equipment and devices, i.e., shoe types and styles and their supposed intended purposes. Practical shoeing experience will be beneficial, but not necessarily a requirement.
Must be able to pass a proficiency test, which includes a written, oral and practical (trimming) portion.
Will be encouraged to communicate with other PBHT trimmers and/or apprentice with them when ever possible.
Will be expected to have a greater degree of knowledge of other trimming protocols and understand of the difference between PBHT and the other protocols.
Minimum of seven (7) years of training and trimming experience will be required to achieve Level IV.