Hoof Health Workshop for Zoo Professionals
Hosted by Naples Zoo, Naples, Florida.
9 AM Thursday, May 1 through 5 PM Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Information Below Will Be Updated ASAP
Trimming and Beyond
People from more than 20 countries have attended our workshops. Thousands of animals have experienced the positive impact of the multifaceted approach we advocate. Our trimming instruction is based on time-tested, science-based principles with lots of hands-on practice. Extensive information about hoof form, function, and biomechanics is also provided, giving context to the trimming instruction. More importantly, participants are challenged to think critically about managing hoof health. There are no magic formulas. Far too many factors impact hoof health for that to be effective. Trimming is one important element. But, hoof health is also significantly influenced by common life factors, especially management practices, the environment the animal lives in, and its overall well-being. Optimal hoof care requires an understanding and approach that integrates all these factors. When applied, this multifaceted approach will produce strong, healthy, barefoot hooves, as our host, Naples Zoo, discovered (see examples below).
Improvements to Hoof Health & Shape Resulting From What We Teach
About the Workshop
The workshop is designed for anyone aspiring to be a professional hoof care provider for out-of-the-wild ungulates. You do not have to be a zoo employee currently.
Want to know more listen to our YouTube video Introduction to the Liberated Horsemanship Hoof Care for Zoos.
2025 Zoo Hoof Health Workshop Schedule Is Under Construction
Workshop Instructors
Ann Corso, Co-founder of the LH Barefoot Initiative, Director of LH Barefoot Training Programs, Owner of Liberated Hoof Care, LLC, and Master Hoof Care Professional.
Cindy Hall, Animal Operations Manager at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Liberated Horsemanship Certified Zoo Hoof Care Professional.
Cynthia Niemela, Master Hoof Care Professional, and Equine Osteopath, EDO.
Dr. Bruce Nock, MS, PhD., LH owner, biomedical scientist, retired medical school professor, and author.
Registration
Registration is open and closes three weeks before the start of the clinic or when the clinic is full. Use the buttons below to register or if you would rather have us send an invoice to your zoo administration please let us know.
Registration Includes
- The four-day workshop.
- Light morning refreshments and lunch.
You do not have to have a PayPal account to use the PayPal button.
*Registration Fee for First-time Participants = US$1,450*
*Registration Fee For Those Who Previously Attended A ZW of GC = US$725*
Please note: Returning participants are now awarded 5 continuing education/professional development credits per full day of attendance toward the designation Master Zoo Hoof Care Professional. For more information go to Frequent Questions.
Please Note: Approximately one month before the workshop, we will send an email message to all registered participants confirming that the event will take place. We suggest you wait until then to make plane reservations. This will prevent the loss of travel funds due to an unexpected cancellation of the workshop, e.g., an instructor’s illness, travel restrictions, etc. If such an event occurs, we will refund registration fees in full. Registration fees will also be refunded in full up to 30 days before the beginning of the workshop when requested by a participant. No refund will be granted thereafter.
Lodging
Workshop participants receive a special rate at the Bayfront Inn 5th Ave, Naples Florida. The Bayfront Inn is 1.9 miles from the zoo. For reservations, call the Bayfront Inn on the 5th at 800-382-7941 or 239-649-5800 and mention Hoof Health/Naples Zoo to get the special event rate.