Cattle health and hoof management

In cooperation with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, and the Clinic for Ruminants and Pigs, University of Leipzig, we organized workshops titled “Cattle Hoof Health and Management.” The lead lecturer and expert workshop guide was Prof. Dr. Alexander Starke, Dip. ECHBHM, with participation from professional hoof trimmers from Germany and professors from veterinary faculties at the universities of Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Belgrade.

The Clinic for Ruminants and Pigs, led by Prof. Starke, was a key partner in organizing the event, and at the same time, it was part of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig.

The workshop included theoretical lectures on dairy cow hoof health and practical work in small groups. The workshop combined theory, practical demonstrations, and exercises to help participants gain essential skills in:

• Lameness diagnosis
• Routine and specific hoof corrections
• Hoof disease diagnosis
• Anesthesia and analgesia
• Hoof surgery
• Problem-oriented and systemic farm analysis
• Animal handling and equipment use for hoof trimming.

The workshop was primarily intended for veterinarians but also for professional hoof trimmers. Lectures were organized on the farm, with two lunch breaks catered outdoors to minimize work interruptions. During entry and stay on the farm, all occupational safety principles were followed, and all biosecurity measures were implemented, including wearing protective clothing, boots, and disinfection.

The organizers expressed satisfaction with bringing together experts from different countries and announced the continuation of such initiatives in the future.