Raising the standard of hoof care

We help farmers and industry professionals raise the standard of hoof care by delivering a range of courses and workshops to grow both knowledge and skills.

About Dairy Hoof Care Institute of New Zealand

Dairy Hoof Care Institute of New Zealand is aiming to set the standard for cattle hoof care in New Zealand and Australia.

Fred Hoekstra, DHI’s qualified instructor delivers hoof trimming courses and hold workshops throughout New Zealand to help farmers and industry professionals treat and prevent lame dairy cows.

Lameness is now amongst the top three health issues on the farm and it is costing the industry millions of dollars every year.  Our focus is to improve the skill and level of hoof care within the dairy industry to reduce lameness.

We are active qualified hoof trimmers. We currently offer best practice training to farmers in Canterbury, West Coast, Otago and Southland, and in various North Island regions.

To find out more, click one of our four workshops and courses on the right, or if you have any questions or concerns about lameness please feel free to contact us.

WORKSHOPS AND COURSES:

We offer exams which allows successful candidates an industry-recognised qualification

We are in a partnership with the Dairy Training Centre (DTC) in Oenkerk (Netherlands) along with the University of Utrecht (NL) to develop the functional methods of trimming

We teach the curriculum of DTC.

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Our Workshops and Courses

Our hoof care courses and hoof trimming workshops help farmers and industry professionals treat and prevent lame dairy cows in their herd.

We teach lameness prevention and hoof care with the most up to date scientific and internationally proven methods.

LAMENESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
LAMENESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Overview:
This workshop is designed to give students an overview of issues relating to lameness management and introduce them to the 5 step trimming process according to the Dutch Method. The workshop has both theory and practical aspects, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch and refreshments. Certificate on full attendance.
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ADVANCED HOOF CARE MANAGEMENT COURSE
ADVANCED HOOF CARE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Overview:
This course is aimed at those who are serious about minimising lameness on their farm through gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors , as well as becoming competent in the technical aspects of hoof trimming.
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VETERINARIAN HOOF CARE WORKSHOP
VETERINARIAN HOOF CARE WORKSHOP
Overview:
The workshop is designed for veterinarians that want to improve their hoof trimming technique and broaden their knowledge of lameness management and treatment. The workshop is both theory and practical where everyone will get the change to trim cows according to the 5 Step Dutch Method. Bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch and refreshments. Certificate on completion.
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Upcoming Events

21nov9:00 AM3:00 PMNorth Island, Hawera - FULLBook todayEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION North Island,Taranaki

22nov9:00 AM3:00 PMNorth Island, Bunnythorpe, Palmerston North - FULLBook todayEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION North Island,Manawatu,Palmerston North

02decAll Day06Advanced Hoof Care Management Course - 2nd - 6th December 2024 - FullBOOK TODAYEvent Type :Advanced Hoof Care Management CourseDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island

16dec(dec 16)9:00 AM203:00 PMSouthland/OtagoFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION - South Island,Otago,Southland

13jan(jan 13)9:00 AM17(jan 17)3:00 PMCanterbury, Mid Canterbury, South CanterburyFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island,Mid Canterbury,South Canterbury

20jan9:00 AM24(jan 24)3:00 PMWest CoastFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION - South Island,West Coast

27janAll Day31Advanced Hoof Care Management Course - 27th - 31st January 2025BOOK TODAYEvent Type :Advanced Hoof Care Management CourseDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island

27jan(jan 27)9:00 AM31(jan 31)3:00 PMCanterbury, Mid Canterbury, South CanterburyFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island,Mid Canterbury,South Canterbury

10feb(feb 10)9:00 AM14(feb 14)3:00 PMSouthland/OtagoFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION - South Island,Otago,Southland

24feb(feb 24)9:00 AM07mar(mar 7)3:00 PMNorth IslandFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:Bay of Plenty & Gisborne,Fielding,LOCATION North Island,Manawatu,Manawatu,Mangatawhiri,Palmerston North,Putaruru,Reporoa,Taranaki,Waikato

17mar(mar 17)9:00 AM21(mar 21)3:00 PMCanterbury, Mid Canterbury, South CanterburyFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island,Mid Canterbury,South Canterbury

07apr(apr 7)9:00 AM11(apr 11)3:00 PMSouthland/OtagoFarm locations and days to be confirmed. REGISTER TODAYEvent Type :Lameness Management WorkshopDHI Event Region:LOCATION - South Island,Otago,Southland

05mayAll Day09Advanced Hoof Care Management Course - 5th - 9th May 2025BOOK TODAYEvent Type :Advanced Hoof Care Management CourseDHI Event Region:Canterbury,LOCATION - South Island

All Map

Meet Fred Hoekstra

Fred Hoekstra from Dairy Hoofcare Institute of New Zealand is widely known throughout NZ for his skill and experience in hoof trimming and for his ability to train others in this crucial aspect of farm management.

Fred Hoekstra is a qualified professional hoof trimmer who has been working in New Zealand for over 20 years. He holds his instructors Diploma in Hoof care according to the Dutch method of Hoof Trimming from PTC+ in Holland. This is a method adopted all over the world and is proven to be very effective.

Fred has been teaching final year Vet students at Massey University for the last 3 years on the theory and practice of hoof trimming as part of their ‘Bovine Procedures Special Topic’.

Where it all began

Testimonials

  • The 1-day course is invaluable, considering the hours I used to spend doing the hooves incorrectly – it is a day well spent!
    Wiremu Reid Southland

  • I finally realise how the hoof becomes damaged and why our procedures can affect the healing process. Also helped me understand the correct hoof shape and how it affects the cows locomotion.
    Duane Kristensen Gore

  • Lame cows are no longer a problem to deal with which makes the job a pleasure and so much safer for the person dealing with lame cows, thus less stress.
    Neville Harrison Hawera

  • I would just like to pass on that we thoroughly enjoyed the workshop we had on our farm, Fred definitely opened our eyes to some of the issues we were having and really made us think outside the box. We are having a meeting with the farm owner to discuss the knowledge we have gained and we are hoping to implement some of the changes sooner rather than later. Please thank Fred on our behalf, to be honest I wished there were more hours in the day or we didn’t have to do arvo milking just so we could do more cows!
    Riana Ram Dairies Ltd

  • It is a really good way to learn all of the things that contribute to lameness and it is explained very well. It also helps to be able to do the practical section and know that someone is there to guide you.

    Margot Gore

  • You have no idea how lameness works – do the course. It will change your mind!

    Johan Morrinsville

  • Very good, I like Fred’s view on feeding and the health of the hoof.

    Kieryn Otautau

Learn professional hoof trimming techniques with one of our specialised workshops/courses:

Contact DHI

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

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