Sorry for the late reply! I somehow missed it...
I'm a complete freelancer on hoof trimming, and have been a member on a few forums so far, currently only active on one, where we're only a handful of people. Been on so many boards with way too much catfight. One board I had to leave because some insisted that God had everything to do with horses and hoof trimming. I am very non-religious, and they were very much religious. Feuds pushed me away. The current forum I'm on is so very open; if you're interested, I can throw you a link
Some very competent people there!
Anyways, I'm self taught. I got an interest in it as my dad is a vet, and waaaaaay back in the day took a trimming course. His health has been horrible the past 10 or so years, and so he eventually couldn't do it. I was under a bit of his supervision for a while, but then discovered how ignorant he actually is regarding hoof health, so I took matters into my own hands. I'm by no means a pro, and our feet still battle some pathologies, but when I see how some registered farriers leave horses, I realise mine may actually be better off
How far are you in your studies? I'm HORRIBLE with biomechanics
I really need to take a course sometime, because I'm afraid that's something you don't learn well, just by reading.