The State University of New York (SUNY), Cobleskill, will be offering four weeks of a Large Animal Health Institute in June 2012. Each week will focus on one or more species and provide hands-on experience in the handling and health care of large animals. The first week, June 4-8, will concentrate on the behavior, anatomy, common diseases and treatments, reproduction, safe handling, and health care management of horses.

Different topics are covered by experienced faculty and staff, veterinarians, a farrier, and other industry professionals.

The first day will include safety with horses and some basic horse training. Attendees will engage in discussions on safety concerns in handling horses and techniques for working with more challenging horses. Attendees will be able to practice horse-handling skills and work with horses in the college roundpen, practicing equine communication using free-lunging techniques.

Day two’s focus will be the equine hoof. A natural hoof trimmer and accomplished farrier will demonstrate trimming techniques and discuss management techniques to optimize hoof health