First diploma course for instructors of functional hoof care successfully completed!

Created: January 2, 2022
Last updated: January 3, 2022

First diploma course for instructors of functional hoof care successfully completed!

On December 16-17, 2021, after a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first final examination for the diploma course to become an instructor of functional hoof care, which started in 2020, took place under the professional direction of Robert Pesenhofer (European Hoofcare). The course was organized and coordinated at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein by Silke Schaumberger.

Students were prepared to independently process dead claws

Requirements and testing

On Thursday evening, eight of the twelve instructor candidates began their written exam, which covered communication and teaching methods, animal husbandry, animal welfare, and hoof care and diseases. Teaching demonstrations, both theoretical and practical, took place on Friday. For these demonstrations, five "test students" from different target groups (schoolchildren from Raumberg, farmers, and hoof trimmers) had to be instructed theoretically and practically within the allotted time of 25 or 30 minutes, respectively. The prospective instructors had to pay attention to many factors: in the theoretical demonstration, the examination board focused on lesson preparation, subject matter expertise, presentation techniques, a professional demeanor, and the engagement of the target group. The practical demonstrations were even more complex: in addition to preparation and subject knowledge, the safety of the trainees and the stress-free handling of the animals were crucial for a positive assessment.

During the practical teaching demonstration, a clear overview and technically correct instructions were essential

Ultimately, four of the eight candidates passed all three sections on their first attempt and successfully completed the demanding course at the level of a master craftsman's qualification – congratulations again to the graduates! The next examination date is expected to be April 7th-8th, 2022.

Animal welfare must also be taken into account

The nine-member examination committee consisted of the two hoof care instructors Gerd Gräubig (Germany) and Stefan Winkler (South Tyrol), who have been active in training for many years, the two veterinary surgeons Prof. Dr. Johann Kofler (VetMed Uni Vienna) and Dr. Karl Bauer (TGD Styria), as well as experts from Gumpenstein: Thomas Guggenberger (chair of the examination committee, agricultural science), Elfriede Ofner-Schröck (animal welfare), Johann Häusler (animal husbandry), and Kathrin Blanzano and Silke Schaumberger for the teaching and communication department.

Link European Hoofcare