Becoming an expert in hoof trimming can speed up the process and make it more comfortable for you and for your herd. Hoof trimming is an essential part of caring for your herd and can help to reduce the risk of lameness and maintain productivity. Cows that have access to even grazing and yard areas that are clear of slurry and debris are likely to have healthier hooves.
Setting up for hoof trimming should be a clean and routine process, and you should always work in a dry area with clean sawdust on the ground. You should ensure that you work safely, protecting yourself in case of the animal kicking out. A hoof trimming crate can ensure your safety and that of your cows while you are hoof trimming, and this is an excellent addition to your practice that can simplify the whole process.
Our Guide to Hoof Trimming
We recommend following our step-by-step process for clean, effective hoof trimming:
- Trimming The First Claw.
You should trim to remove the excess sole, aiming to ensure that the toe is level and that weight bearing will be evenly spread throughout the claw. Avoid over trimming, as this could cause injury to your animals. Over trimming in the heel area can create a shallower foot angle and this increases the risk of digital dermatitis.
- Match Up The Opposing Claw.
When you have trimmed the first claw, you will need to repeat for the outer claw to equalise the toe depth, which will usually involve removing more horn. You should ensure that you do not remove the axial white line weight-bearing horn, which runs from the toe along the inner wall of the claw, and you should aim for a balance of weight bearing.
- Model Out The Claws.
You will need to create a slope in the soles by clearing, or modelling, the inner section of both claws to ensure that muck does not become embedded and to reduce weight in this area, which can cause ulcers. Do not model out the toe triangle area, as this could lead to the removal of the weight-bearing axial wall.
- Relieve Weight.
If you are dealing with an injured claw, you will need to carry out curative trimming to relieve the weight from the affected area. This usually involves removing more horn from the back of the outer claw and applying a block to the healthy claw to enhance the difference in height so that pressure on the injured claw is relieved.
If you are just carrying out routine maintenance, you may not need to use step 4, which is intended to treat problems or damage to the hooves. Spotting problems and potential issues early on is an essential way to protect your herd and a good hoof maintenance routine is the key to this.
Hoof Trimming Essentials at HoofCare Direct
At HoofCare Direct, our experienced team understands the importance of hoof maintenance to protect your animals and your business. We have a range of high-quality hoof care products, including knives, glues, blocks and trimmers to keep hooves in excellent condition, and we can also recommend our treatments and disinfectants to maintain cleanliness. Our selection of protective clothing is designed to ensure that you remain clean and dry while you work, and we will be happy to help you find the products you need for your unique setup.
We recommend hoof trimming crates, which can simplify your hoof care routine and also make light work of other tasks, such as insemination and teat sealing. A hoof trimming crate will secure your animals safely, restraining all four feet for ease of access, and you will not need to strain your back to carry out essential hoof care. You can see a full demonstration of the Inspect4 Mobile Hoof Trimming Crate on our website and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call today to find out more