Just 3 years after restarting its farrier program, Sheridan College is ready for expansion.

The Sheridan, Wyo., community college announced it is raising the available student positions from eight to 12 for the spring semester.

The program, which is led by Buffalo, Wyo., certified journeyman farrier Quint Gonzales, aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills to maintain equine hoof health, as well as identify and manage common foot and shoeing problems. Completion of the program prepares students for the American Farrier’s Association certified farrier examinations.

Gonzales joined Sheridan College in 2019 as farrier program instructor after it had been dormant following the retirement of former instructor Steve Stephenson.

As farrier instructor, Gonzales works with his students by applying their anatomy course to what they learn in the forge. He begins his class by building connections between the structures of the horse and the shoe that supports those structures. He believes in hands-on forge work to build forging skills. In 4-5 weeks, Gonzales will introduce live horses to the class, so they can apply what they’ve learned to real-life cases.

Sheridan College introduced its farrier science program as part of an associate degree in 2012. The courses are designed to be taken in the spring semester, resulting in completion of the certificate in a few months’ time.

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Sheridan College Reboots Farrier Program and Names New Instructor: Sheridan College’s farrier science program is back in session with Buffalo, Wyo., farrier Quint Gonzales as its new farrier instructor.