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Speakers

Gene Ovnicek, RMF, CLS
Gene Ovnicek is nationally and internationally recognized as a farrier, clinician and researcher.  A pioneer in the study of wild horse hoof form and function, Gene has combined his 60+ years of farrier experience with the information from other scientific research as a foundation for treating and preventing equine lameness.  Gene has been involved in research projects with Dr. Robert Bowker, formerly of Michigan State University and Dr. Barbara Page of the Equine Wellness Foundation, and currently works with the research studies conducted by the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization.  His ever evolving hoofcare information packed presentations have been featured at some of the most prestigious farrier and veterinarian conferences in the world.  In addition to the research projects, teaching and his position with Equine Digit Support System, Inc., Gene still operates a complete farrier practice ranging from performance horses to lameness management and consultation.
      Gene Ovnicek has been published in the American Farrier’s Journal (AFJ), Anvil Magazine, TrailBlazer magazine, Horse Illustrated, Western Horseman, the European Farrier’s Journal, EQUUS and several associated press articles.  He has published and co-published chapters in major hoof care text books such as “Adams Lameness in Horses”, “Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse”, “The Veterinary Clinics of North America”, the “Natural Balance Hoof Care” Education Set, as well as several self-published works and video projects.
Steve Foxworth - CNBBT, CNBF, CLS, CE, CI
     Steve Foxworth has been a farrier in northern Colorado for 12 years. He became a Certified Natural Balance Farrier (CNBF) in 2006, and went on to earn his Certified Lameness Specialist certification (CLS) in April of 2007. In 2010, he became one of the first farriers to become a Certified Examiner (CE) and Certified Instructor (CI) for the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization.  Steve works closely with farrier Gene Ovnicek on a regular basis, and continues his education by attending and teaching clinics.  In addition to instructing, Steve is involved with ongoing research to help further the understanding of the equine foot.  The latest research project includes recognizing hoof distortions, and accurately locating the distal phalanx and center of articulation through the widest part of the foot.  Through his travels in the US and Europe as an E.L.P.O. educator, Steve has broadened his experience with, and exposure to, more difficult horses.  In turn, he is asked to work on horses with multiple lameness issues, fractures, ringbone, soft tissue injuries, and extreme founder, just to name a few.  And, by using the guidelines set forth by the E.L.P.O., he has found success in most cases.
     In 2008 the senior vet at the Denver Zoo sought out Steve for help with a lame zebra after learning of his credentials.  That case has since led to Steve becoming the regular farrier for the Denver Zoo and working with the majority of their hoofed animals.  In 2013 Steve also became a consulting farrier for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and has developed a trimming protocol for Giraffes at the zoo.  This has also opened the door for more research and educational opportunities involving the E.L.P.O. as well.  In 2014 Steve Presented the Hoof Mapping research project conducted on exotic animals at the Denver Zoo to the AAZV (American Association of Zoo Vets) conference and again in 2015 at the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Conference.
     The E.L.P.O. (Equine Lameness Prevention Organization) is committed to research, education, certification, information and professionalism in which Steve has become instrumental in since being elected to the Board of Directors.  He continues to push for these ideals, and is committed to passing this information and passion on through his two year apprenticeship program.  His apprentices are expected to earn their certification, and go on to be productive members of the E.L.P.O.  The future is bright and exciting for the profession of farriery, and Steve Foxworth is committed to being a driving force in its journey.  In 2012, Steve became the President of the E.L.P.O., the Director of Education in 2018, and he continues to help guide and maintain focus for the organization. 
Stuart Muir - NZCEF, CJF, DIPWCF, APF
Resident Farrier at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. Lexington, Kentucky. USA.
     Stuart started his horse shoeing career in Christchurch, New Zealand. After completing a 4-year apprenticeship, Stuart started his own business in 1999 and worked towards obtaining his New Zealand certification. Once certified, Stuart continued to expand his business, working on numerous therapeutic cases and on some of New Zealand’s top race and show horses.
As Stuarts clientele expanded, Stuart realized the need for a higher level of education and he actively pursued many educational events throughout the Southern hemisphere and the USA. This information allowed him to apply new techniques to his work.
     Stuarts dedication to improving equine foot care led him to tutoring at the New Zealand Equestrian Academy from 1999 through to 2012. His involvement with the students saw him teach the fundamentals of equine hoof health and biomechanics.
     Stuart won a scholarship from the New Zealand Research Foundation in 2010. The grant was awarded to enable a Veterinarian and Farrier to further their education while improving Vet and Farrier relations in New Zealand. Stuart Attended the International Hoof Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent one week as an extern at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington Kentucky.
     After returning to New Zealand, Stuart quickly put the new information he learned abroad to use. Therapeutic sport horses’ cases were now a large part of his clientele - both in New Zealand and Australia. 
​     Stuarts thirst for knowledge drew him back to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where he was hired as a full time Farrier under the guidance of Dr Scott Morrison in 2012.
Working with Dr Scott Morrison at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital expedited Stuarts exposure to working on clinical therapeutic cases. Stuarts clientele at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital consists of sport horses and horses that have diagnosed pathology. Stuart enjoys the challenge of working on complex pathology and enjoys rehabilitating horses.
Stuart’s passion for offering advanced hoof care while at the hospital, has given him the opportunity to experience shoeing sport horses in America and South America, and race horses in the Middle East.
     Stuart gained his American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier Certificate in 2014 and his Diploma with The Worshipful Company of Farriers in 2018.
Stuarts dedication to Farriery has seen him lecture with Dr Scott Morrison throughout America. Stuart and Dr Scott Morrison have taught at numerous Veterinary clinics and symposiums, including the North East Association of Equine Practitioners symposium in Virginia. Stuart has also given demonstrations at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky as part of the “Breakfast with the Stars”.
     Stuart has continued to offer education and lecturing for organizations and Veterinary clinics throughout America and Canada. Stuart was invited to speak at the International Hoof-Care Summit in 2017 and 2019. In 2019 Stuart was awarded with the Summits “Outstanding Presentation Award” which was based on comparative anatomy in young and mature equines.
Stuart has conducted webinars for the American Farriers Journal on topics such as Managing Horses Feet in Wet Environments, and Direct and Indirect Glue on Method Options.
His written work has been published in equine magazines and Farrier Journals. Some of his work can be read in the American Farriers Journals and Western Horseman Magazines.
      In Stuarts spare time, he enjoys surfing, golf and spending time with his family. 
Chris Niclas - CNBBT, CNBF, CLS, CE, RJF
     Originally from New Zealand, Chris Niclas moved to Sequim, located in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, in 1991.  Chris’ desire for having a dog, a tree-fort and a horse came true at the age of 14.  His interest in hoof-care and in becoming a farrier followed shortly thereafter, simply out of necessity.  Almost 25 years later he still has a passion for the horse and is dedicated to continuing to learn new skills as a professional farrier and teacher. 
Chris met Gene Ovnicek and Mark Plumlee at an International Hoof-care clinic hosted by Mission Farrier School in 1998.  These connections would change the course of this young aspiring farrier’s career.  Chris began watching and learning about the research being done on the wild horses; which in turn led to hoof mapping guidelines based on the importance of the widest part of the foot.  Chris says this has been an integral part of what has made him the farrier he is today as well as led to the success of his business Chris’ Farrier Service.  
Chris’ thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there.  In 2005, he became a Registered Journeyman Farrier.  And always looking for another “tool in his toolbox”, Chris became an EasyCare Dealer in 2007.  He began teaching clinics on hoof-care management and fitting boots as another way of providing protection for the equine hoof.  
     In 2011 Chris passed the ELPO exam to become a Certified Natural Balance Farrier.  In 2015, he furthered his learning by becoming a Certified Lameness Specialist.  Chris is currently working on attaining his Certified Instructor and Examiner certifications with ELPO.
Working closely with some of the most reputable veterinarians in his area, Chris’ ability to think outside the box has enabled him to specialize in treating and rehabilitating horses with laminitis, founder, soft tissue injuries, ringbone, coffin bone fractures, hoof wall separations and more.  
     Recently Chris has partnered with Mark Plumlee at Mission Farrier School, teaching advanced Gluing techniques to Mission Farrier School students using Steel, Aluminum and Rubber shoes for both performance and therapeutic applications.  He is a gifted teacher and is excited to share some of his experiences. 
David John Nicholls - RSS, AWCF, RJF, LSHMC, CNBBT, CNBF, CLS, CE, CI
     From the age of 7, David Nicholls knew he would one day become a farrier.  In 1968 David started his farrier apprenticeship with Howard Cooper FWCF Hons, at his forge in Abinger Hammer, near Dorking, Surrey. Howard had a profound effect on David’s life and future in farriery. At the end of the four years David spent with Howard he took the Registered Shoeing Smith exam and passed it. (This exam has now been replaced by the Dip WCF or Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers). Howard taught David how to make shoes and shoe horses in the time honoured way that had been handed down through centuries. However, once David had qualified he became disillusioned with the horseshoeing industry and left it for several years to join the London Fire Brigade. In 1978 David decided to leave the London Fire Brigade and head back to where his heart had always been, as a farrier. 
     David worked as a contract farrier for Robert Botting AFCL until 1980 when he left and started work from his own forge. After being on his own for several years, David started training for the next exam in farriery (The Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers) which he passed in 1986. This heralded a change in the way he approached farriery. He realized there was a whole new world of work he had not realized was there. Veterinary Surgeons had started to become interested in treating lameness rather than just retiring horses. Treatment was the new buzz word. The late Burney Chapman helped David tremendously and passed on all he knew about laminitis and its management at that time.
     The most profound change arrived in David’s life when he met with Gene Ovnicek RMF. This man, through his unique understanding of horse’s feet and the way Mother Nature required them to function, changed the way David trimmed and shod horse’s feet forever. David now believes he has a better understanding of the requirements of both bare foot horses and shod horses. He realizes the unnatural environment we keep our domestic horses in and has formulated ways of minimizing the adverse affects of domestication.
     In 1993, David, Mark Spriggs, Mike Williams and Mark Hobby, started a farrier supply business in West Sussex called Total Foot Protection Ltd.  Mark Hobby has since left the business, however David, Mark Spriggs and Mike Williams still continue as owners.  Total Foot Protection Ltd. has continued to grow and is still committed to the supplying only the best tools and horseshoeing requisites. All the directors of TFP Ltd are working farriers and have an in depth knowledge of the products they sell. They are able to offer first hand information to farriers, veterinary surgeons and clients, regarding specialist products.  
    David is now committed to elevating horses to a higher level of soundness that our domestic equines have not previously been privileged to. His in depth knowledge of foot and limb related problems see David heavily involved in the rehabilitation of horses damaged or diseased hooves. David runs a vet and farrier referral centre in Slinfold, West Sussex in the UK, where he plays an important part in supporting vets, farriers and horse owners in the treatment of lameness and foot related problems.
     David has spoken and demonstrated his special skills at many of the major farrier and veterinary conferences and symposiums around the world and is busy giving clinics to farriers, vets and horse owners, to impart his knowledge to others.
     In May 2006 and again in May 2007 David achieved the highest honor the industry could bestow on him by passing the Certified Lameness Specialist exam, not once but twice!
David runs a successful farriery practice “Natural Balance Hoof Care Ltd” and is the Technical Director of Total Foot Protection Ltd. “The Farriery Practice” is a part of that company and incorporates a group practice of farriers which works within the area around Slinfold.  “Dedicated to providing horse owners, trainers, farriers and veterinarians with information and education to treat and ultimately prevent lameness in horses...”
     Horses have featured throughout the whole of David’s life. Both he and his wife Trisha enjoy their own equine friends keeping them at their livery yard in the South Downs National Park.
Kirstin Becker: Veterinarian & Equine Chiropractor
     Kirstin Becker graduated in veterinary medicine in 1996 from the Tierärztliche Hochschule in Hannover, Germany. She worked in research at the Equine Clinic of the Hannover University for two years. Kirstin worked in different equine and small animal veterinary practices.
     She earned her clinical competency certification in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 2002, and finished the advanced program in 2006. Since 2002 she has been practicing exclusively chiropractic, osteopathy and acupuncture for animals.
She also successfully completed postgraduate programs in physiotherapy and osteopathy for animals. Kirstin has a special interest in postural rehabilitation, equine saddle fit, foot biomechanics, trimming and shoeing. She has written a book on hoof protection, as well as several lay articles on the equine hoof.
     Kirstin has been lecturing at conferences in the USA, England, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany on assorted topics including Chiropractic, horse’s feet, posture abnormalities, equine and canine back pathologies and saddle fit. She’s also an instructor for the IAVC (International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic) in Germany and England and she lectures in the Advanced/CE Courses at Options for Animals, USA.
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