The Importance of Foot Conformation, Foot Trimming, and Cow Comfort in the
Lameness Complex
WestGen Annual Meeting Dr. Gordon Atkins – Mar 28, 2017
Data Source – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
How Should Industry Respond to the Lameness Issue?
Is lameness an inevitable consequence of higher milk production & intensively managed, confinement housing systems or do we have to learn more about the anatomy and function of the bovine foot?
(Raven 1989)
(Raven 1989)
(Raven 1989)
Distribution of Claw Pressure While Walking on a Flat, Hard Surface
Van der Tol 2003. J. Dairy Sci
Vicious circle of horn production Increased proliferation
Increased pressure
Increased horn production
lateral claw
Increased lateral claw horn thickness
Lameness Feet
Legs
(88%) Front Feet
Hind Feet (86%)
Inner Claw
Outer Claw (85%) (Blowey 1998)
What do we know about the conformation of the bovine foot?
Range 80 – 90 mm
Front Feet = 1.6 : 1 Hind Feet = 2.2 : 1 TOE ANGLE Front Feet = 52 O Hind Feet = 49 O Heel Depth is 1 cm Higher in Front Feet Than Hind Feet
Heel
Axial Groove White Line
Sole Abaxial Wall
Courtesy Dr. Gordon Atkins
Axial Wall
How Have We Evaluated Feet and Leg Conformation? Section
Pre’90
1993
1998
2012
Mammary System
40%
40%
40%
42%
Feet & Legs
12%
16%
20%
28%
Dairy Character
16%
14%
12%
Dairy Strength
Frame/Capacity
22%
20%
18%
20%
Rump
10%
10%
10%
10%
Holstein Canada 2015
Rear Legs – Rear View
31%
Heel Depth
22%
Foot Angle
9%
Rear Legs – Side View
17%
Bone Quality
12%
Thurl Placement
9%
Foot Angle and Heel Depth 9%
13 % Heritable
10 % Heritable
1 4 7
Intermediate Steep (ideal)
9
Courtesy Holstein Canada
What do we know about the phenotypic expression for feet and leg conformation traits ?
A new approach to evaluate feet and leg conformation?
Hair Line Angle
Foot Angle
Frequency
Foot Angle
The distribution of foot angle measurements before and after trimming. The mean foot angle after trimming was 49° (35° – 68°).Atkins et al 2016
Heel Depth
Frequency
Heel Depth
The distribution of heel depth measure before and after trimming. The mean heel depth after trimming was 47 mm (33 mm – 61 mm). Atkins et al 2016
Frequency of Measured Heel Depth in mm
Frequency of Measured Foot Angle in Degrees
Relationship between measured foot angle and heel depth with the linear score from Holstein classification
Atkins et al 2016
Digital Cushion
Digital Cushion
Digital Cushion at the Flexor Tuberosity
Digital Cushion at the Flexor Tuberosity
Digital Cushion
Digital Cushion at the Navicular
Digital Cushion
DDF Navicular Bone
P2
P3 Navicular bone
Is there a Relationship between and Digital Cushion Depth & Heel Depth?
DCD at Flexor Tuberosity and Navicular in mm
Relationship between BCS and Digital Cushion Depth (DCD) at both the Flexor Tuberosity and the Navicular
Toe Length
Archer et al 2015
Archer et al 2015
Archer et al 2015
• The minimum external wall length was calculated using CT measured internal wall. • External wall length must be at least 14 mm greater than the internal wall length when trimming the toe to a point, having a toe angle of 50°, & a 5 mm sole thickness. • The external dorsal wall length must be greater for a rounded toe than a square toe. • Where fixed toe lengths are used to simplify protocols and facilitate the training of less experienced operators, the minimum recommended length for trimming the dorsal wall should be conservative.
Frequency
Toe Length
The distribution of toe length measure before and after trimming. The mean toe length after trimming was 81.5 mm (69 mm – 119 mm). Atkins et al 2016
What is the Impact of Hoof Trimming?
Two primary functions of foot trimming are: 1.Balance the weight distribution between the claws 2.Restore the foot angle to 49 – 52 degrees
5 Step Dutch Trimming Method Based on technique introduced by Dr. E. Toussaint Raven and taught by Mr. Pieter Kloosterman
Trimming Steps 1. Medial Claw (non weight bearing) - Cutting Toe Length (75 mm) - Leaving Toe with a Square End - Leveling the toe
5 Step Dutch Trimming Method Trimming Steps 1.
Medial Claw (non weight bearing) - Cutting Toe Length with Square End
2.
Lateral Claw (weight bearing) - Match Medial Claw Length - Balance Heel - Level toe
5 Step Dutch Trimming Method Trimming Steps 1. 2.
3.
Medial Claw (non weight bearing) - Cutting Toe Length with square End Lateral Claw (weight bearing) - Balance Heel & Match Medial Length
Medial Claw (non weight bearing) - Cutting Toe Length Lateral Claw (weight bearing) - Balance Heel Modeling - Lateral Sole
Treat Lesions Remove Loose Horn
“Principles of Claw Trimming in Cattle” with special consideration of the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot
Master Thesis - Denise Schilliger Supervision - Professor Dr. Karl Nuss
University of Zurich
Swiss Trimming Method - 1
Swiss Trimming Method - 2
Swiss Trimming Method - 3
Swiss Trimming Method - 4
Comparison of Trimming a Square Toe (Similar to the Dutch Trimming Method) versus a Rounded Toe (Similar to the Swiss Trimming Method)
Conclusions that can be made: 1. Foot Trimming can dramatically change the toe length, foot angle, and heel depth. 2. There appears to be a poor relationship between measured foot angle and classification linear scores for the angle of the hairline. 3. A foot angle of 50° can be achieved with a dorsal wall length of 80 - 85 mm. 4. Sole thickness is related to the dorsal wall length and the type of toe trimming.
Questions that need to be answered: 1. Are there unidentified conformational characteristics of the foot that help to limit the undesirable changes in foot angle, heel depth & dorsal wall length seen in intensively managed, confinement housing systems? 2. Is the classification linear score assessment for the angle at the hairline actually measuring foot angle or is it measuring a separate and independent trait? 3. How reliable is the relationship between heel depth, digital cushion depth, and BCS and how important is heel depth in the lameness complex?
Next Steps: 1. Set up a workshop with classifiers to compare their estimated linear scores for foot angle and heel depth with actual measured values. 2. Measure both the angle at the hairline and the toe angle to determine the relationship between these two measured values. 3. Develop a technique to measure the contact surface area of the lateral claw of hind feet. 4. Re-evaluate the the emphasis give to foot angle and heel depth in the classification system.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Laura Solano – data interpretation and statistical calculations Dr. Steve Mason – data interpretation Mr. Elbert Koster – foot trimmer Mr. Rob Guyer – foot trimmer Ms. Casey Jacobs – data recording and ultrasound measurements Dr. Jase Skelton – data recording and ultrasound measurements Dr. Kerry Atkins – data recording and ultrasound measurements Ms. Charlotte Pickel – data recording Ms. Danielle Lee – data recording Ms. Jasmine Voegeli – data recording
Impact of Cow Comfort on Lameness
Free Stall Design Factors Influencing Use
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Surface Cushion Traction Room to Bob and Lunge Adequate Defined Resting Area Room to Rise Below & Behind Neck Rail Curb Height and Design
Surface Cushion and Traction
Deep Bedding
Little Bedding
Deep Bedding
Little Bedding Little Bedding
Deep Bedding
Deep Bedding
Little Bedding Little Bedding
Bob and Lunge Room
Adequate Resting Space
Free Stall Dimensions (70 in.) (9-12 in.)
(36 in.)
(50 in.) (36 in.)
(20 in.)
(72 in.)
Recommended Stall Width = 48 – 50 in. Neil Anderson – Veterinary Science/OMAF