ADVANCED HOOF CARE MANAGEMENT COURSE

We were given an overview of hoof anatomy and biomechanics and then spent every day on farms trimming under Fred’s supervision. Those five days were absolutely vital for obtaining the correct technique.

The preventative aspect of hoof trimming has got a major benefit financially. You only need to save a cow or two, and the cumulative effect on production makes the course well worthwhile. I can now prevent cows even becoming lame, but any that do I can fix easily, quickly and properly. The recurrence of lameness in those cows is reduced significantly.

Fred is an excellent teacher with heaps of experience, knowledge and patience. What you will learn may surprise you, but it will all make perfect sense. If you are the one to do the feet, do the course. Don’t let your staff loose on the feet if they haven’t!

– Paul McClintock, Dairy Farmer/Owner

Thank you for the fantastic opportunity. The course was brilliant- it was some of the best learning that I have ever had. I am most appreciative to you for sharing your years of accumulated knowledge. I certainly feel more equipped to work with farmers and other vets in hoof trimming and treatment as well as in a lameness advisory role. The experience has been invaluable to my future career and I am enthusiastic to continue to build on it. If anything- I will absolutely never forget the five steps!

– Kate Mackersey, Massey University Vet Student

Ellen said that she found the delivery of the course “excellent” to understand.  “The basics were covered very well, and the topics were developed onto it.  Very interactive as well making learning easier”.  She “liked that we were able to pair up together to help and learn from each other and that Fred questioned us on what we were doing also”.  Ellen “really liked the nutrition talk.  Useful for farmers and for professionals to advice on call outs”.  “Learning the structure of the foot was very useful” and she said she “really enjoyed the practical, how we were able to work by ourselves and having Fred there to correct us”.  “I learnt a lot more than I thought I was going to learn”!  Ellen felt “the days were split up up well” and found the presentation of the course “very interactive and informative”.  “Gaining knowledge of cow lameness and the importance of it both for cow and for the business.  Learning how to trim cows and everything in regard to lameness” is what Ellen feels she has gained by attending this training.  “It should be a priority on farm to prevent and treat ASAP”. – Ellen Roche, Ashburton

Annora said that she found the delivery of the course “was easy to understand and kept the repetition with your analogies which was very helpful”.  It was good how Fred “showed us how to do things and helped us find what we needed to do but let us figure it out”.  The practical “was very good.  I loved the nutrition” part of the course, “I really enjoyed learning about how it is all connected and how important it is to have good nutrition.  I learnt a lot more about the cow itself not just about feet.  The folder and book were also very cool and helpful.  It was incredible learning on live cows and also making issues on the cadavers and fixing them.  I learnt everything from sharpening a knife to using one, and the inside of a foot to the outside”.  Fred the instructor “made everything make sense and was open for any question”.  Main benefits of attending this course was building my “confidence in helping lame cows and trimming the right way”, Annora’s approach to lameness has changed in “the way I feed will be different, how I deal with nutrition and trimming will be done correctly”.  Annora Harley-Goodwin, Burnham

Bradley said that he found the delivery of the course was “well explained and gave the time to ensure we knew what was being discussed, we were given good feedback and examples” on the practical side of the training.  Fred the instructor “was good all round, good communication and humour.  I have learnt a lot and will use it back on the farm”.  The Practical “was good to see how all the different components worked from the hoof”, and “the different tools”.  The Nutrition Seminar “was good, very beneficial and well presented”.  The overall quality of the training material provide was “high class.  Having 5 days was good for the confidence.  Examples were made in which we could use in comparison and any question asked was given a well explained answer.  Bradley explained what he gained from attending the course is “that knowing what you are doing benefits you and the cow for the future.”  Bradley feels his approach to lameness has changed “I will have a lot more of an idea on how to take the best care” and I feel I have learnt enough to start getting more experience on the farm.  Bradley felt it valuable “doing heaps of on farm practical and learning the way a hoof functions and also how important balance of nutrition is”.  – Bradley Ray, Invercargill

Very informative, good practical experience, well organised, worth the financial investment (and yummy food!)

– Jess Everett, Kojonup, WA

Best practical course I’ve done that will have one of the largest financial impacts on my business!

– Will Ryan, Leongatha, VIC, Australia

It definitely changed my knowledge around hoof trimming and treatment and I highly recommend if you want to minimise lameness in the herd!

– Fabiano P Barboza, Ashburton

Excellent way to learn correct methods of trimming and understanding why you do it that way – a better understanding of lameness and ways to prevent it.

– PJ Olivier, Waharoa

If you want to manage and treat lame cows correctly and get them back in the herd quicker, then do the course!

– Todd Arnold, Morrinsville