PARIS – The Corporate and Community Services Department at Central Maine Community College will offer a course in natural balance hoof trimming from June 3 to 20 at the Western Maine Community College Center, South Paris.

The class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. The cost is $285.

The course is designed for people interested in general hoof care, including horse owners and beginning farrier students who need an update on hoof care science, basic natural balance protocols and the proper techniques of trimming. It is a hands-on course with fieldwork that will involve evaluation and training.

The instructor will be George Spear. He attended the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and has been offering hoof care to horse owners in Maine since 2000.

Under the instruction of Gene Ovnicek, he learned natural balance theory and has earned Certified Natural Balance Barefoot Trimmer and Certified Natural Balance Farrier endorsements. He helps with field research for the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization.

Individuals will be required to bring a rasp and knife for use in fieldwork and to sign a waiver of liability before participating in the class.

For more information or to register, contact Central Maine Community College Corporate and Community Services Department at 755-5280 or 1-800-891-2002, ext. 280, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cmcc.edu/training.