Horse Dentistry Classes Held at Ranches and Ranch Resorts

Horse Dental School: Equine Dentistry Classes

Our classes are based on a levels program (levels 1-6) with level 6 being possible certification. In order to receive the best possible education, we have small class sizes with a limited number of students per instructor allowing for a quality educational experience.

Classes run in one week increments (five days 9am-9pm) held on Ranches and Ranch Resorts as well, on both the East and West coasts. Additional locations and class sessions are scheduled to be added as our number of students increase, to provide the same small teacher student ratio we believe necessary for excellence in instruction. Certified Instructors who are the pioneers in the field teach our classes based on our state-of-the-art techniques.

Our classes are held in one week increments, because we understand that our students have busy lives outside of class. Instead of the more traditional six week or longer sessions that many schools have, we offer our students week long intensive study four times a year. This allows students to choose the location and time to attend that suits their schedule best. After each week is completed students must complete another 50 hours’ study at home. The home study allows us to understand where each student’s level of understanding is in regards to the paradigm so as to maximize the student’s study at the ranch.

Unlike your average school, where you attend class and then go home, at our learning centers you are together (students & teachers) 24/7 – eating meals, having meetings, and even playing together. This facilitates as much “question & answer” time as you, the student, need to get the most out of the time dedicated to learn with us. Discussions, meetings, and demos are held in the evenings. Ninety percent of the learning experience we offer is hands-on.

Students are provided with a Reading/Reference list of topics and books to study at home as an integral part of the education process prior to attending class. These texts will provide the foundational terminology and anatomy that will be focused on during the course. We believe it is easier for students to study terminology at home instead of paying to study the same thing at school.

Practical exams are given and a levels program is used to determine excellence. Also as an enhancement to our program, we offer classes in body work and horse handling, both as they relate to dentistry. Business skills are also covered. We have a specialized curriculum and offer certification. When a student becomes certified we will give them clients to start their own business, and we have a support group to help keep them going.

Levels

Our classes are open to students of all experience levels:

Level 1 – Is the orientation process in which the student learns to recognize pathology in the equine mouth and be able to balance the mouth (incisors first to the back of the mouth in theory). Prior to Level 1, the student should study and become familiar with terminology (textbook provided after registration).

Level 2 – Beginning to be able to back up theory by doing physical changes.

Level 3 – Is to become more capable of actually being able to balance a whole mouth (Wolf Teeth and Cap Extractions understood in theory.)

Level 4 – Is to physically be able to balance and refine details.

Level 5 – Students should be able to address asymmetries of head and body, and balance the mouth anatomically fitting to the whole. Student should show ability to extract wolf teeth and caps. Once level 5 is achieved you must assistant-instruct one time prior to level 6, non-paid and no charge for class.

Level 6 – We feel students should be ready to certify if they have that desire. We would require two months’ notification if they do wish to certify. However, we acknowledge that some students may want to come as many times as they like for continuing education only, with no desire for certification. Certification at Level 6 is a practical exam over the course of the five days of Level 6.  An online Head and Neck Anatomy course is required for full certification.

• All Levels are based on a passing assessment of each Level by full board review of individual student.
• After Certification, continuing education is required every two years to maintain certification.

STAR Program 2011

Certified students are encouraged to join the Star Program. There will be Level 1-5 Star Advanced Certification Programs. You are welcome to assistan- instruct as many times as you like, but the minimums for each Star Level must be met.

Star 1 – You must attend as an assistant instructor (this is a non-paid position, with no charge for class and all expenses paid) five times and begin work on your thesis proposal, during the Star 1 program. Your thesis must be approved by Spencer before proceeding to Star 2. The thesis proposal must be in writing showing an in-depth explanation of the area you will explore in your thesis, and submitted to Spencer for approval. (This should be 1.5 – 2 pages.)

Star 2 – In order to start star 2 you must have thesis proposal approval (this is a non-paid position, with no charge for class and all expenses paid). You should be performing an independent study pertaining to your thesis. A log or journal should be kept of your research. Also you should attend as an assistant instructor once during your Star 2. A rough draft of your thesis must be submitted and approved to complete Star 2.

Star 3 – The beginning portion of Star 3 is the submission of the thesis’ final copy for approval. The final submission must be one printed copy and one Word Pad file. You must also assistant instruct one time. The final portion of Star 3 is a presentation of your thesis at school, with a question and answer period at the end. You will be responsible for all props, fliers, etc. used during your presentation. After completion of Star 3 you will then be added to the paid instructor pool.

Star 4 & Star 5 – in development stage.

Upcoming Class Dates

Please contact us or call Judy LaFlure at (518) 623-9967 to check availability.

Click here to download our class registration form.

Students are responsible for all travel, transportation and accommodations.  When making reservations, mention you are a student of Spencer LaFlure’s Advanced Whole Horse Equine Dental School.    

                          NEW CLASS DATES:                               

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2013 SCHEDULE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                         FEBRUARY, 2013

Monday, February 25th – Friday, March 1st, 2013

             ALL LEVELS DENTAL CLASS

                         QC ARENA

                      Gay, Georgia

         www.qcarena.com

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                       APRIL, 2013

*Monday, April 29th – Friday, May 3rd

*Monday, May 6th – Friday May 10th                                                                   

        ALL LEVELS DENTAL CLASS

      Ridin-Hy Ranch, Warrensburg, NY

* New two week format. Now you can take 1 one-week class or 2 one-week classes at the same place. If you choose to take only 1 one-week class it MUST be during the first week. We reserve the right to cancel the second week if not enough participants sign up.

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                 SEPTEMBER, 2013

*Monday, September 2nd – Friday, September 6th                                                                  

*Monday, September 9th – Friday, September 13th

             ALL LEVELS OF DENTAL CLASSES

               Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland, NY

* New two week format. Now you can take 1 one-week class or 2 one-week classes at the same place. If you choose to take only 1 one-week class it MUST be during the first week. We reserve the right to cancel the second week if not enough participants sign up.

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On-line any time!

Dr. Deb Bennet highly recommends this free on-line “EQ-50: Equine Anatomy Precourse Distance Study”. This course must be completed with a passing grade and certificate prior to completing Level 3.

Equinology                                                                                                                                                              

 

Class Information

• 1 Week Intensive Classes
• Cost – Tuition: $2,250 (50% deposit required to reserve space)
• Class Sizes Limited
  90% Hands On Work
• Group Research and Discussion
• Availability of trying instruments to see which best fits
• Seminars at night
• Demos of horse handling for specific situations
• Availability of time with Instructors (24/7)
• Accommodations will vary with each class and location and are the responsibility of the student to reserve and pay for.