Numerous projects and surveys in Austrian dairy herds have revealed that, on average, approximately 30-50% of animals are lame. Factors such as feeding, stress, metabolism, and even barn design can have a negative impact, reducing milk production and necessitating veterinary treatment. The direct and indirect costs of lameness are estimated at approximately €450 per cow per year.
Basic course in hoof care
Since 2021, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein has been the first school in Austria to offer a basic hoof care course for its future farmers. The aim of the training is to provide additional knowledge on hoof health and animal welfare, going beyond the standard curriculum, and to enable participants to carry out professional hoof care on the farm.
Under the watchful eyes of hoof care expert Robert Pesenhofer from European Hoofcare and Johann Häusler from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein agricultural college, nine students completed the hoof care course this year with great interest and dedication. The course combines classroom instruction with additional practical sessions in their free time. This unique program for students at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is based on the ministerial guidelines GZ. BMLFUW-LE.1.1.7/0159-II/2/2013 and comprises a total of 136 hours of theory and practice. The course was originally designed for the continuing education of practicing farmers.
Course outline
On the first day, existing knowledge from livestock farming lessons was refreshed, and the fundamentals of functional hoof care, foot biomechanics, and the recognition, treatment, and prevention of hoof diseases were explained in theory. Direktor Johann Gasteiner instructed the interested students on animal diseases and animal health. The students completed the following five practical days with great enthusiasm and dedication. These days included assessing hooves and recognizing hoof diseases, as well as chronic changes, husbandry-related problems, unsuitable feeding, and inadequate hoof care. Using templates, the students correctly trimmed and assessed both healthy hooves on live animals and pathologically altered hooves from slaughterhouses. They also practiced using relief devices and applying various bandages. They observed compensatory postures and lameness in live animals and developed measures to improve animal welfare.
All nine course participants, under the guidance of Johann Häusler, Robert Pesenhofer and the examination committee, demonstrated their newly acquired knowledge with a written exam, an oral technical discussion and the independent processing of a claw and successfully completed the course.
Due to the high level of interest, the course will be offered annually in the future.
Further information on hoof health and training opportunities at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein:
Acquisition Staff Unit, Silke Schaumberger:
