Farrier Science Certificate

Admission Requirements

Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.

Alternate Admission Option: Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements. To be considered under Alternate Admission Status, applicants will be asked to provide the following:

1. (Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses
2. (Required) Letter of Introduction and Intent, outlining the following:
   • Introduce yourself
   • Indicate why you wish to enrol in the program
   • Elaborate on your career goals
   • Detail your experience relevant to this program and the industry
3. (Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years
4. (Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (e.g.: first aid, safety tickets, etc.)
5. (Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)

*Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*

Transfer Options: Olds College has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements

Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.

Tuition & Fees

• Tuition: $6,010 / Fees: $1,370 / Books & Supplies: $3,700

Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.

* Please note that international students pay 3.5 times the domestic tuition amount. These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. All students should refer to the Fee Schedule for the most accurate information and all fees are subject to change.*

Tuition, Fees & Payments

Scholarships & Student Awards

Olds College offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.

For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards

Entrance Awards Available!

Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.

Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.
Not all that apply will receive an entrance award.

Student Funding

For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.

Course Details

For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.

Academic Calendar: Farrier Science

Career Opportunities

Olds College has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Family farm/business
• Local trimming & shoeing business
• Specialty shoeing
• Therapeutic & corrective shoeing (usually involves working with a veterinary clinic)
• Performance horse shoeing (reining, heavy horse, dressage, jumping, etc.)
• Working ranches, summer camps, outfitting guides, mounted units (RCMP), & racing industry.

Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!

ALIS Occupational Profiles

Admitted Students Information

Program Dates

Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration

You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation

It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

• A device capable of running Microsoft Office, preferably a laptop

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

• Go to portal.office.com
• Enter your Olds College email address and password
• Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The materials on our tool kit list are to be purchased before starting the program in September.  Students also participate in field trips to supply stores at the beginning of the program. If you have concerns about tools, then please let our instructors assist you on the field trip.

Required items Tool Kit List

Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information:

• Time Requirements: Significant time requirements will be needed to fully develop the skills needed to complete the program in a way to ensure that you are best prepared for a Farrier career following your studies.

• Dress Code: You will be required to be outside during inclement weather and need to be dressed appropriately. We expect all students in the Farrier Science program to dress as equine industry professionals during class time; this includes long sleeved shirts that are buttoned, collared, or reach the neck and pants that cover the lower back.

• Fitness: many first year students in our equine-related programs indicated that they wish they would have been better prepared for the physical demands of their program. We would like to remind you to perhaps work on your fitness by walking, running, and improving your upper body, lower body and core strength in the month before you come to College. Once here, you will be able to access personal trainers through the CLC Fitness Centre. Also ensure to work on grip strength and labour to develop calluses on your hands.

• Additional Skills: This program requires you to have significant horse handling skills. You will need to be able to confidently work around horses. Lab activities are comprised largely of hoof care and trimming practices, manufacturing and modifying horseshoes. Shoeing horses at the college facility as well as at client properties will also be a large part of your practical training. Be prepared for long days as some destinations are some distance away. It is recommended that you devote your time here towards your program.