Why Trim?
- Correct hoof-trimming is an essential component of lameness prevention
- Aids in the prevention of sole ulcers especially
- 2 main effects:
- Restores a more upright claw angle
- Balances the weight distribution between the inner and the outer claw
Typical overgrowth of the outer claw of the hind foot – this overgrowth places the outer claw at increased risk for claw lesion development.
How Often?
- Hoof horn grows at ~0.5 cm (3/16”) per month in healthy dairy cows
- It takes ~ 15 months to form the entire wall of the hoof, from the coronary band to the toe (typically 3 inches (75 mm) long)
- It takes 2 months to form the full sole thickness (~1/4 inch (7 mm) thick)
- The benefits of trimming and rebalancing the claws typically last 4-6 months in the average cow
- Standard trimming recommendation for freestall housed dairy herds:
- Trim heifers prior to first calving (typically 1-2 months before calving)
- Trim lactating cows once in early-to mid lactation (typically 60 -150 days in milk) and once at the end of lactation (typically around the time of dry off)
- Trim high risk cows (that have suffered prior lesions) every 3-4 months
What Technique?
- Good trimming helps prevent lameness and results in lame cow recovery
- Poor trimming fails to aid in the prevention of lameness and results in a failure of recovery from a lame event
- Very poor trimming CAUSES a lameness problem!
Removal of the overgrown horn in the sole region of the toe and shortening the dorsal hoof wall, restores normal claw angle
Lame Cow Surveillance!
1. Select staff members trained to use locomotion scoring to identify lame cows
2. Watch each group of cows once a week to identify lame cows – as cows are moved to the parlor or survey cows in the pen at the feed bunk
3. Watch cows pulled out of the group for vet check or other management activity
4. Watch cows at dry off so lame cows receive treatment before being moved to the dry pen
Lame Cow Surveillance Exceptions
- In large herds with high hoof wear we must modify trimming frequency, timing and technique
- In general, whatever the situation, the heel of the outer claw of the rear foot and the axial region of that claw can be modeled to reduce load on the ulcer site