Comparison of Two Differing Five Point Locomotion Scoring Methods

There have been a number of locomotion scoring methods developed and used over the years. Many of these scoring methods are based on observing cow walking, leg angle and weight bearing on the limb and scoring system this using a 5 or 10 point scale. One such scoring method was developed by Tranter and Morris (1991) using a 5 point scale with 0 or 1 corresponding with a cow that is not lame and does not show tenderness when walking and 4 or 5 being a cow that is severely lame (almost not weight bearing on lame limb/s). More recently, Zinpro (2001) adapted a method from Spreacher et al., (1997), which included the arching of the back into the assessment of lameness within a 5 point scale. However, to a lesser or greater extent both of these methods rely on the opportunity of the observer to watch and assess the cow ‘expressing normal walking behaviour’. Under many management and housing condition this situation can be difficult to achieve. As a consequence, this ...