Axial horn fissures - a holistic approach

Introduction
Hoof health is a key issue in efficient dairy farming. However, control of hoof disorders requires knowledge of aetiology, symptoms, possible complications and prevention. Increasing occurrence of particular alterations like horn fissures and especially axial horn fissures, with and without complications like open corium, which is often affected by DD, lead to a special interest in this topic. Internationally harmonized descriptions of different hoof and foot disorders have been published by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) in 2015 (Egger-Danner et al., 2015). In this list axial horn fissures are also included and defined as follows: horn fissure (HF), defined as a crack in the wall, can be subdivided into axial horn fissure (HFA) - a vertical (longitudinal) crack in the inner wall, vertical horn fissure (HFV) - a vertical (longitudinal) crack in the abaxial or dorsal wall, and horizontal horn fissure (HFH). These definitions, included in the so-called ICAR Claw Health Atlas, are the basis of recording of hoof disorders supposed to improve recognition and treatment of hoof problems and to facilitate the targeted genetic improvement of claw health in dairy cattle. There are several potential reasons for increased incidences of HFA in individual farms, including genetic and non-genetic factors. Weight, flooring and over-trimming may all trigger development of HFA. The aim of this work, based on a field study and statistical analyses of a comprehensive dataset, was to give specific advice how to deal with this condition in the practice on the level of recording, trimming, treatment and breeding.  […]