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Women conquer cattle care: Successful hoof care course!
A hoof care course for women in Berchtesgadener Land strengthens animal owners with practical knowledge about hoof health.
Women conquer cattle care: Successful hoof care course!
In the first days of October, a very special hoof care course took place in Bavaria - under the motto "Women on cattle hoofs", ten committed participants came together to deal with an important aspect of animal husbandry. According to the Bavarian Farmers' Association bayerischerbauernverband.de, the course was led by the experienced Pia Maria Blanz. The goal: the health and care of cattle hoofs, a topic that is often neglected in dairy farming.
On the first day of the course, the participants were able to learn the basics of functional claw care in an online training course. They received in-depth theoretical knowledge that was to be put into practice on the second day. There were meetings at the Halsbach slaughterhouse, where not only dead claws were analyzed, but also anatomical basics and typical clinical pictures were studied.
Practical insights
The third day of the course promised a practical introduction - the participants were able to implement their newly acquired knowledge directly in practice under the guidance of experienced hoof trimmers. Equipped with the right hoof care tools and protective clothing, the women not only showed courage, but also curiosity and a lot of technical skill. The exchange and mutual support were not only welcome, but also encouraging in order to strengthen self-confidence when dealing with animals.
The importance of hoof care should not be underestimated. An often little-recognized fact is that lameness in dairy cows is often due to foot diseases, which cause significant pain and can lead to economic losses. The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety lgl.bayern.de emphasizes that regular and proper hoof care is crucial for the prevention of hoof diseases, which are among the most common causes of early death of dairy cows count in Bavaria.
A step in the right direction
In particular, the fact that over 40% of dairy farms in Bavaria carry out hoof trimming themselves, but often not properly or at too long intervals, makes it clear how necessary further training courses are. The LGL study shows that more than half of the cows at Bavarian slaughterhouses were in a state of neglected hoof care. The initiatives, such as the hoof care course for women, aim to intensify training in hoof health and raise awareness of the painfulness of hoof diseases.
A round table launched by the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection has been working on practical solutions to improve the hoof care system since July 2023. In addition to these courses, a claw workshop for official veterinarians will be offered in summer 2025 in order to provide valuable information in this area as well.
For the participants in the hoof care course, it was more than just further training - it was an opportunity to actively contribute to the health of their animals and at the same time to create a network among women who are passionate about the future of cattle farming in Bavaria. A step in the right direction that not only promotes animal welfare, but also enriches the participants' own professional development.