Evaluating the immediate effects of hoof trimming on dairy goat hoof conformation and joint positions

AbstractHoof overgrowth in commercial housed dairy goats is a major health and welfare concern; thus, it is important to better understand hoof trimming, a priority practice which addresses hoof growth. We evaluated the immediate effects of trimming on external conformation, internal joint positions, and hoof wall overgrowth of front and hind hooves. Eighty female goats were enrolled. Pre and post hoof trimming data were collected at 13, 17, 21 and 25  months of age. Overall, before trimming, a high percentage of hooves were scored as overgrown (77.8%). Trimming decreased the percentage of overgrown hooves (17.6%:P <  0.001) and other moderate/severe conformational issues: dipped heels (49.3% vs. 26.7;P <  0.001), misshaped claws (37.0% vs. 17.6%;P <  0.001), splayed claws (73.7% vs. 56.7%;P <  0.001). More hind than front hooves had dipped heels pre-trimming and (91.3% vs. 7.3%;P <  0.001) and post-trimming (52.8% vs. 0.6%;P <  0.001); over half of the hind heels were not restored to an upright position. A greater proportion of toe length was removed from the hind hooves compared to the front (0.50 vs. 0.43,P <  0.001), with the greatest proportion of hoof wall overgrowth removed from the hind hoof medial claw at the 13-month assessment (P <  0.001). Following trimming, distal interphalangeal joint angle decreased more in hind compared to front hooves (11.0° vs. 6.9°;P <  0.001); distal interphalangeal joint h...
Source: Veterinary Research Communications - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research