First diploma course to become an instructor in functional claw care successfully completed!

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

First diploma course to become an instructor in functional claw care successfully completed!

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

Students were prepared to work on dead claws themselves

Requirements and testing

The written exam began on Thursday evening for eight of the twelve instructor candidates with questions on communication and didactics, animal husbandry, animal welfare as well as hoof care and diseases. Teaching samples in theory and practice were completed on Friday. For this purpose, five “test students” from different target groups (Raumberg students, farmers, hoof trimmers) had to be instructed theoretically and practically in the allotted time of 25 or 30 minutes. The prospective instructors had to take a lot of things into account: during the theoretical teaching test, the examination committee's focus was on lesson preparation, the technical content, presentation techniques, a competent appearance and engaging the target group. Things became even more complex with the practical teaching tests: in addition to the preparation and specialist knowledge, the safety of the people being instructed and the stress-free handling of the animals were also crucial for a positive assessment.

During the practical teaching test, an overview and technically correct instructions were essential

Ultimately, four of the eight examinees passed all three sections straight away and were able to successfully complete the demanding course at the level of a master's degree - at this point, once again, congratulations to the graduates! The next exam date is expected to take place on July 7th - 8th. April 2022.

Animal welfare must also be taken into account

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

Link European Hoofcare