Preventive Hoof Trimming and Animal-Based Welfare Measures Influence the Time to First Lameness Event and Hoof Lesion Prevalence in Dairy Cows.
Authors: Sadiq Mohammed B, Ramanoon Siti Z, Shaik Mossadeq Wan Mastura M, Mansor Rozaihan, Syed-Hussain Sharifah S
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers compared the Dutch five-step hoof trimming technique against standard management in 520 dairy cows across five farms (two grazing, three non-grazing), following animals for 270 days from early lactation and monitoring lameness incidence, hoof lesion prevalence, and welfare indicators monthly. Trimmed cows showed substantially lower lameness rates—27.4 and 31.9 cases per 100 cows per month in grazing and non-grazing herds respectively, compared to 48.4 and 45.8 in untrimmed controls—with delayed onset of the first lameness event by roughly 10 days in both management systems. Beyond trimming efficacy, the study identified critical risk factors: underconditioned body score tripled lameness risk, whilst the presence of any hoof lesion increased it 33-fold; protective factors included lower parity, normal hock condition, and absence of hoof overgrowth. For equine professionals, these findings underscore that preventive trimming forms one component of lameness management alongside condition monitoring and musculoskeletal health assessment, rather than a standalone solution—a principle directly transferable to equine practice where integrated approaches addressing multiple welfare indicators yield superior outcomes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Implement regular Dutch five-step hoof trimming as a cost-effective lameness prevention strategy, reducing lameness cases by 40% or more
- •Monitor and maintain body condition in older cows and assess hock health, as these factors are equally important to trimming for preventing hoof disease
- •Focus preventive efforts on non-infectious lesion prevention through timely trimming and management of overgrown hooves, particularly important during peak lactation
Key Findings
- •Dutch five-step hoof trimming reduced lameness incidence from 45.8 to 31.9 cases/100 cows/month in non-grazing herds and from 48.4 to 27.4 cases/100 cows/month in grazing herds
- •Hoof lesion prevalence was significantly lower in trimmed groups (23.2% grazing, 32.2% non-grazing) versus controls (48.8% grazing, 52.6% non-grazing)
- •Presence of hoof lesion increased lameness risk 33-fold (HR=33.1), while underconditioning increased risk 3-fold (HR=3.1)
- •Normal hock condition and absence of overgrown hooves were protective factors against non-infectious hoof lesions independent of trimming