In 2007 Daisy was fortunate to acquire her own digital radiograph machine for hoof balancing and shoe placement purposes (which is legal in PA, USA for farriers).  She was able to take scaled, measurable  radiographs of many of the feet she worked on, before any hoofcare work was performed, after the trim, and after any shoeing was done, if needed.  The benefits of the information Daisy received from this kind of objective documentation was incredibly valuable in training her eye and giving her the confidence to make accurate decisions for the horse.  

Daisy started teaching hands-on workshops in 2009, mainly to share the radiograph machine with other hoofcare providers, giving them the benefit of seeing the effectiveness of the application of trims and shoes in their own work.  

Over the next 15 years, Daisy continued teaching, presenting and doing demonstrations around the world. And as her database of hoof documentation grew to over 750,000 hoof photographs, most with corresponding radiographs, following many horses for over 10 years, the school curriculum continued to evolve as well, cementing the foundation for using pattern recognition, critical thinking and deductive reasoning into the 6 Hoof Types, separating feet based on distortions vs. pathologies and using the 5 Hoof Guidelines as a model for decision-making for the horse and hoof.

In 2023, finally realizing the ultimate value of the research and teaching curriculum she had developed, Daisy expanded her school to become the International School of Integrative Hoofcare and founded the Professional Hoofcare Provider Program which has quickly become one of the top hoofcare career tracks in the world.  

 

'A farrier is defined as the person responsible for the care of the horse's foot'.  ~Daisy Bicking

The International School of Integrative Hoofcare is a place of learning for all, regardless of your current knowledge or educational start in hoofcare. 

Whether you consider yourself an owner, farrier/trimmer, or other equine professional, when we care for the horse's foot we are all hoofcare providers helping horses.  How we do that may vary. However, there are so many ways to solve problems and so much we can learn from each other. Being collaborative and inclusive is critical to the ISIH approach to the hoof.  

"Every time I've said 'I will never do _____', I eventually found a time and place for that specific technique I was adamantly against, and usually wish I had been open to it earlier to help the horse".  ~Daisy Bicking

We consciously avoid the words 'good', 'bad', 'right', and 'wrong',  'always', and 'never' in order to remain open to all possibilities and a true champion of the horse.  By using critical thinking and deductive reasoning, we apply a scientific process to our decision-making for the best we can do for the horse both today and over time.

The educational programs we offer are for ANYONE who wants to learn about the horse's foot.  We cater to owners who want to become confident and empowered as well as aspiring hoofcare professionals who want to learn the skills needed to start a hoofcare business.  Our programs are also geared towards established hoofcare professionals to advance their skill set and add credentials to grow their businesses.  

The International School of Integrative Hoofcare accommodates a variety of learning styles and prioritizes being a neuro-inclusive institution. Our blended curriculum of online and in-person learning is unique in the industry and provides a balance of flexibility and accountability. We believe that offering a self-paced education allows students to work at a rate that suits their individual learning styles and lifestyles, while also ensuring that they receive a high-quality, consistent education.