INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT
A total of 6 professional workshops took place within the project. The original three five-day workshops were divided into 6 three-day workshops. The first reason for this division was the workload of the project participants, as all participants are active farriers or veterinarians. The second reason was the inclusion of two venues for better accessibility or an adequate number of horses on site. The workshops took place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Hungarian partner organized a workshop at the University of Budapest, which was attended by all project partners. In a series of lectures, the project was introduced with all its outputs and the "Lameness Locator" device and its excellent use in the teaching of farriers specialists in the diagnosis of lameness. Unfortunately, this workshop was a one-day event, and therefore it cannot be included in the project activities other than as a dissemination of project results.
-
The aim of the workshops was to acquaint the participants with the project goals, project outputs - case studies and study plan with modules that can be applied for the given field of education Farrier Specialist. During each workshop, a discussion took place, during which the experiences of farriers and veterinarians were exchanged. The current information from the National Institute of Education and the Sectoral Council of Agriculture of the Czech Republic was a great contribution to the discussion. Each workshop ended with a questionnaire survey and test.
-
From the organizational point of view, the workshops were organized by the employees of the respective partner. Participation in the workshops was free for participants.
1. PROJECT SEMINAR - FARRIER SCHOOL Ltd
On 12 - 14 October 2018, within the project "Innovation of Curriculum for Vocational Course Farrier Specialist" within the program Erasmus +, KA 2: Strategic partnerships, an educational seminar was held at Stud Farm Meník on the topic of lameness diagnosis using new technologies - Equinosis Q Lameness Locator. The seminar was attended by Czech and Slovak farriers, who are actively working within this project as lecturers and many other farriers and students of the farrier field.
In all sectors of horse use, their movement is one of the most important utility traits. The regularity of the horse's movement is the main criterion in its evaluation. Horses that move irregularly or are even lame are not practically usable and their value decreases considerably. There can be many reasons that cause an incomplete movement of a horse and it is possible to divide them into two main categories. In the first category, we talk about the irregularity of limb performance due to differences in their conformation and hoof loading. In the initial stages, this is not a damage to the health of horses, but with poor diagnosis, long-term poor treatment of the hooves and shoeing can very easily lead to permanent negative consequences in the health of horses' limbs. The second category includes limping horses with diseases of the bone base or soft tissues, especially the distal part of the limbs. With good diagnosis and early localization of the problem, lameness can be eliminated quickly.
It is statistically proven that more than 70% of the problems of irregular movement and limping of horses is a manifestation of excessive load on the horse, or poor balance of hooves and limbs, and is far-sightable. In the past, however, the topic of lameness diagnostics was completely neglected in the education of farriers in the Czech Republic. The farriers may have been able to have an average palpation examination, but they completely lacked the basis for reading X-rays and the ability to correctly diagnose diseases of the horse's distal limb.
The farriers are then completely dependent on the verdict of the veterinary examination in their work. Unfortunately, there are very few orthopedic experts in the Czech Republic who have sufficient experience in diagnosing and assessing horse limb problems. In many cases, subjective opinions prevail in the assessment of movement problems in horses, and it is not uncommon for a horse to be examined by several veterinarians and each to produce a different diagnostic result. Very often, the treatment of the horse is then carried out using the trial and error method, which certainly does not add to the affected animal's well-being and welfare. We can say that farriers gain experience with the number of diagnosed horses and the success rate of treatment, but an important part of their expertise is the observational ability, which is the very cause of subjectivity in assessing the movement problems of horses.
Farriers are very dependent on their observation skills when adjusting and shoeing their hooves. Demonstration of the horse and correct assessment of its limbs while standing and in motion precedes its own manual work and decides on all other procedures and orthopedic measures. Unlike veterinarians, the farrier assesses the regularity of the movement of the horse's limbs many times a day and, unfortunately, with his bad subjective judgment, he can harm many horses.
From the evaluation of the statistical results of more than fifteen years of monitoring of horse limbs, the "Lameness Locator TM" was constructed and tested for a long time, the use of which significantly reduces the subjective view of the horse's movement, because it is monitored by precise electronic sensors capable of up to 30 horse trot steps to evaluate the movement deviations of individual limbs using qualified software. In a short period of time, the farrier is able to evaluate which limb is limping primarily and which limb is limping only secondarily (this limping is caused by the involvement of the primary limb). The accuracy of the obtained data informs about detailed deviations of the horse's body movement, which are not perceptible to the ordinary eye. Based on the result, an X-ray examination and a final diagnosis of the disease are performed. From the farrier's point of view, there is an excellent opportunity to immediately evaluate the correctness of the treatment and shoeing of the hooves with subsequent control of the positive shift of localized problems in response to selected orthopedic measures. The results obtained by the lame locator are a necessary basis for further examination, because they partially locate the affected area.
2. PROJECT SEMINAR - UNIVERSITY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICALS IN KOŠICE
As part of the international educational activities of the project "Innovation of Curriculum for Vocational Course Farrier Specialist" within the program Erasmus +, KA 2: Strategic Partnerships, another three-day educational seminar took place on March 29-31, 2019. The seminar was again attended by Czech and Slovak farriers, who are actively working within this project as lecturers and many other farriers and students of the farrier field. The Slovak partner of the project chose the beautiful environment of the "Equestrian Center of the Department of Special Zootechnics at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra" as the place for the seminar. The main reason for this choice was better accessibility for the participation of those interested in farrier education in Slovakia and the use of this seminar for the dissemination of project results and increased interest.
The lecturers were MVDr. Zdenek Zert, CsC. dipl. ECVS and Ing. Jindrich Vincalkal, CE-F. The seminar was attended by a total of 24 participants, including 11 project lecturers. Within the project part of the seminar, the methods of theoretical and practical teaching of farriers were discussed and an innovated educational study program was introduced, study materials on an electronic platform in the form of study case studies - case studies according to reality. Other lectures included detailed anatomy and physiology of the hind limb, adjustment and shoeing of the limb with damaged interosseous muscle. Within the practical part of the workshop, diagnostics in farriery was included. The main point in the diagnostics was the presentation of the "Lame Locator", its use in farriery, including practical examples. The practical demonstration was provided by the farriers of the Slovak partner of the project - Ing. Maroš Klobušník, Martin Skala and Ladislav Kontár. A pleasant environment of the riding areal was prepared for the project participants, including the necessary outdoor movement track with a hard surface and an indoor and outdoor riding arena with a sandy surface. Different surfaces are very important for diagnosing horse limb and hoof problems and their solutions.
The main topic, which permeated the entire seminar, was the teaching of quality farrier diagnostics. The movement of the horse and its regularity is the most important characteristics and the main criterion in its evaluation. Horses that move irregularly or even limp are not practically usable and their aesthetic value also decreases considerably. With poor diagnosis, which often leads to long-term poor treatment of the hooves and shoeing, it can very easily lead to permanent negative consequences for the health of the horse's limbs. On the other hand, with good diagnosis and early localization of the problem, lameness can be eliminated quickly. It is statistically proven that more than 70% of the problems of irregular movement and limping of horses is a manifestation of excessive load on the horse, or poor balance of hooves and limbs, and is far-sightable.
Farriers assess the regularity of the movement of the horse's limbs many times a day. Demonstration of the horse and correct assessment of its limbs while standing and in motion is the basis of proper farrier diagnostics, precedes its own manual work and decides on all other procedures for treatment and adjustment of hooves, shoeing and any necessary orthopedic measures. The teaching of farrier masters (specialists) must also lead to this, and the above-mentioned project and its outputs also make a significant contribution to this.
3. PROJECT SEMINAR - UNIVERSITY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICALS IN KOŠICE
The third in a row, within the international educational activities of the project "Innovation of Curriculum for Vocational Course Farrier Specialist" within the program Erasmus +, KA 2: Strategic Partnerships, another three-day educational seminar took place from 3 to 5 May 2019. The seminar was again attended by Czech and Slovak farriers, who are actively working in this project as lecturers and a number of other farriers and students of the farrier and especially the veterinary field. On behalf of the Slovak partner of the project, this time he welcomed the participants MVDr. Olover Merva directly on the premises of the Veterinary University in Košice.
The lecturers were MVDr. Zdenek Zert, CsC. dipl. ECVS and Ing. Jindrich Vincalkal, CE-F. The seminar was attended by a total of 117 participants, including 12 project lecturers, 6 farriers and 99 students of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. As always, the project part of the seminar discussed the methods of theoretical and practical teaching of farriers and introduced an innovative educational study program, study materials on an electronic platform in the form of study case studies - case studies according to reality. A practical demonstration of teaching hand-made horseshoes, modification of bare hooves and basics of horseshoes was presented. The theoretical interpretation of lecturers J. Vinčálek and Z. Žert was accompanied by a practical demonstration directly on the stage of the auditorium and projected in detail on the screen. This way of teaching was a success for students and aroused their interest.
Other lectures included Defects of posture of limbs of foals and their deformities, Health problems caused by defects of postures, Hooves with white line disease and reduced quality of the horn. Within the practical part of the workshop, diagnostics in farriery was included again. The main point in the diagnosis was the presentation of the "Lumbar Locator", its use in farriery farming, including practical examples that show the importance of cooperation between farrier, veterinarian and breeder.
Practical demonstration of the solution of case studies was provided by the farriers of the Slovak project partner - Ing. Maroš Klobušník and Martin Skala. Two horses were prepared, on which a complete farrier's diagnosis was practically demonstrated and with subsequent problem solving and diagnostic evaluation of the result.
The seminar ended with a joint discussion of all participants. We can say that the whole seminar took place in a very friendly and creative atmosphere, which supported discussions and the transfer of information. The chosen topics were very extensive and demanding. We thank all the participants who participated in the organization and provision of a high level of the seminar.
4. PROJECT SEMINAR - PODKOVÁŘSKÁ ŠKOLA sro
On 13-15 September 2019, within the project "Innovation of Curriculum for Vocational Course Farrier Specialist" within the program Erasmus +, KA 2: Strategic Partnerships, an educational seminar was held on the topic: Educational project and its outputs, Methodology of adult farrier education, Creation of presentations, preparation of photo documentation and video recordings from farrier practice, Evaluation = A tool for quality assessment in education.
This seminar was accessible only to project participants and took place at the headquarters of PODKOVÁŘSKÉ ŠKOLY sro in Lelekovice. A total of 17 project lecturers took part. The main lecturers were Ing. Jindřich Vinčálek and MVDr. Zdeněk Žert.
As the first point of the program, the Masterfarrier Specialist Study Plan was introduced to the project participants in its final form before the end of the project and the proposed hourly allowances for individual training modules were discussed with each other. According to this study plan, a complete proposal for the Master qualification Farrier Master was prepared, which continues in the approval procedure at the NÚV. The project participants were acquainted in detail with this qualification and their comments were incorporated into the proposal. The participants were also introduced to the exam for the Horseshoe Specialist, which was modified in accordance with the final study plan of the project and submitted for approval to the Sectoral Council of Agriculture, the Education Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department for Further Education at the Ministry of Education.
Other blocks of the seminar were devoted to the issue of teaching adult farriers or applicants for this field. Emphasis was placed on the necessary practical training in farriery, its risks for trainers and trainees, insurance of educators, agreements with horse owners, which are necessary for practical training and, last but not least, very important cooperation with veterinarians.
It is very important for farrier lecturers to be able to prepare a presentation - a case study on the lectured topic, which is supplemented by the necessary photo documentation and video recordings. A large part of the seminar was devoted to the acquisition and editing of photographs of horse limbs and hooves on the basis of cooperation during the project. The rules and methodology are published on the project website www.masterfarriererasmus.com .
The last part of the seminar was focused on evaluation tools - evaluating the quality of education. This very often used term was largely unknown to many lecturers. J. Vinčálek explained to those present this tool for determining the quality of education and highlighted important aspects:
From the position of the participant, the participant's opinions on the teaching management, environment, performance and competence of the lecturer, approach to the participants' questions and the lecturer's expressive abilities are evaluated. From the lecturer's point of view, he highlighted the activities focused on getting to know the participants and their abilities, the reaction to the educational program and the necessary evaluation of their learning outcomes and the ability to put the acquired knowledge into practice, which is very important in farriery.
The seminar ended with a mutual discussion on the given topics and the addition of study materials.
5. PROJECT SEMINAR - PODKOVÁŘSKÁ ŠKOLA sro
PODKOVÁŘSKÁ ŠKOLA sro as the main researcher of the educational project "Innovation of Curriculum for Vocational Course Farrier Specialist" within the program Erasmus +, KA 2: Strategic Partnerships organized an educational seminar at Hřebčín in Meník to complete the project in the Czech Republic. The seminar took place at the stud farm in Meník and was attended by a total of 77 participants, including 18 project lecturers, 15 students and 44 farriers from the Czech and Slovak Republics. The seminar took place on September 20-22, 2019. The main lecturer was Dr. Hans Castelijns, a farrier and veterinarian from Italy, specializes in shoeing and orthopedics of horses, who has long-term cooperation with project partners in the education of farriers. Professional translation for the participants was provided by MVDr. Zdeněk Žert. The practical part of the seminar was provided by Ing. Jindřich Vinčálek, Miloslav Kreps, Petr Šumpela and Ing. Maroš Klobušník.
Within the project part of the seminar, an innovated educational study program was presented, study materials on an electronic platform in the form of study case studies - case studies according to reality. The project was accessible on a PC platform to all interested parties throughout the project. As another topic, very often discussed, were arthritic problems of the horse's limb joints, their diagnosis and farrier's solution. Within the practical part of the workshop, diagnostics in farriery was included again. Palpation, bending tests, examination with a digital balancing device, X-ray and examination on the Lumbar Locator were all the main points in the diagnosis. This was followed by a practical solution to the cases of prepared horses and these difficulties and a retrospective check on the Lame Locator. Throughout the seminar, the lecturers discussed with the participants.
Theoretical lectures took place in the hall of the Municipal Inn in Meník, for the practical workshop a riding hall was prepared with prepared movement tracks with a hard and soft surface and comfortable forging places with sufficient space for oncoming participants. All farrier and veterinary procedures were transferred in detail to the projection screen. Refreshments were provided for participants throughout the duration of the project. All project participants received project presentation materials.