There's a moment every product developer knows well: when all the individual parts finally come together, and a prototype meets its first real-world test. Last week, we experienced exactly that moment with our project PfeMo and it marks a real step forward.
A Hands-On Test at IFN Schönow
We had the opportunity to test the first prototype of our horse head simulator in a hands-on seminar at IFN Schönow. Seeing the model in active use, in the hands of the people who will eventually train with it, is invaluable, it's where design meets reality.
Why This Project Matters
Captive bolt stunning in horses is still a niche topic in Germany, but one with major animal welfare relevance. Horse owners who choose slaughter at the end of their animal's life often face a real problem: slaughter facilities are scarce, and transport routes are long, stressful, and often lead abroad.
The goal of PfeMo is to change this by developing and establishing partially mobile slaughter of horses right on their own pasture, stress-free and carried out by trained personnel.
Never First Time on a Living Animal
This principle guides everything we do at VETIQO, and it applies here more than almost anywhere else: even this final, sensitive procedure shouldn't be practiced for the first time on a living animal. Training needs to happen beforehand, with the right tools.
Building More Than a Simulator
Together with our project partners at IFN and FFG, we're developing not just the simulator itself, but an entire training concept around it. Our contribution is a horse head simulator built specifically for captive bolt stunning training but designed to be versatile enough for several other applications, including:
- IM and IV injection
- Nose twitch application
- Eye examination
What's Next
We'll continue sharing updates on PfeMo's progress as the project develops. If you'd like to follow along more closely or get in touch, feel free to reach out to us directly.
#VeterinaryEducation #NeverFirstTimeOnALivingAnimal #VETIQO
