Determining Hoof Trimming Schedule Based on Various Management Factors

Introduction
Hoof trimming and footbath management are two main lameness preventative procedures implemented on dairy farms. Scheduled hoof trimming is a common practice of a lameness prevention management plan. With a good lameness prevention program and ideal conditions, it is estimated that it requires 2.2 to 2.5 trims per cow per year. Trims mean an assessment or inspection of the hooves and only remove extra horn when and where necessary. This study further investigates management factors that determine the number of hoof trims required per year. 

Materials and Methods
Today we understand that if hoofs are not in good shape during parturition there is a higher risk for lameness onset 60 to 90 days later. This is due to the many transformations that occur during the calving period including: 

• inflammation occurrence 
• hormonal changes 
• enzyme alteration 

• social and environmental adjustments Timed hoof trimming is a scheduled trimming of the cow’s hooves for lameness prevention at the optimal times such as the dry period. In addition, it is not trimming cows during stressful periods like the closeup, fresh cow period, and peak lactation. Every good hoof health program starts with a scheduled trimming in the cow’s far off dry period (60-22 days before calving) to prepare them for calving. It is not recommended to trim cows during the closeup period (21-0 days before calving) and early part of the lactation (0-80 days in milk). The next scheduled trim should occur after peak production. (100-180 days after first trim). Figure 1 shows a cow’s reproductive cycle and time periods when trimming should or should not occur.  […]