Hoof Signals

Hoof Signals Jan Hulsen grew up on a farm with dairy cattle and finishing pigs. With a degree in veterinary medicine and a strong interest in communication he enjoyed a good three years of on farm work in a large animal practice before refocusing on helping farmers sharpen their critical thinking and observation skills, and increasing their knowledge of the needs of their livestock and other management issues. Jan is a trained journalist and has an executive MBA-degree.

Vetvice® is an independent training and consultancy group, supporting dairy farmers and their suppliers and advisors worldwide. It consists of: The CowSignals® Training Company: Top-of-the-bill training, presentations and consultancy. Visit us for a unique Dutch Dairy Experience at the CowSignals Center Europe, in the Netherlands. We can also visit your company.

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reduces the pressure of work. And it delivers more job satisfaction for man and cow.’

Our cows’ hooves are the weakest link in their health, along with feed and feed intake. Cows that become lame - however slightly - suffer from pain and will eat, drink and lie down less.

They will therefore produce less milk and it will be more difficult to get them in calf. Plus they will need additional attention and work on an ongoing basis.

This is why it is important for every livestock farmer to pay constant attention to the health of his cows’ hooves. In terms of the design and construction of paths and barns. In terms of the way they are managed so they remain clean and dry. And in terms of daily care tasks such as feeding, moving and treatment of the animals.

A good manager makes hoof health care an integral part of his work and in his daily, weekly, monthly and annual routine. He also focuses on prevention, so his time is not constantly taken up treating lame cows. He thinks ahead!

The modern farmer knows that he can bring in specialist vets, hoof trimmers and feed advisors. They may not have a clear picture of why certain conditions come about, but they know more than enough about how to prevent them.

Vetvice Future Farming Consultancy: Management tools, information and consultancy to monitor and improve a dairy farm. Specialists in cow health and production, labor efficiency and productively applying sensor technologies. www.vetvice.com

Hoof Signals provides all the practical knowledge a farmer needs to get hoof health on his dairy farm under control. With easily understandable descriptions, clear drawings and lots of photographs.

Hoof Signals is a publication in the Cow Signals® series. Cow Signals® presents highly practical knowledge on animal-oriented cattle farming in an accessible way.

The Vetvice hoof health core team, from left to right: Jan Hulsen DVM, MSM, Joep Driessen DVM, Anne Kloek B.Agr.Sci, Bertjan Westerlaan DVM, Wiebe Veenstra M.Agr.Sci, Marcel Drint DVM, Nico Vreeburg DVM.

1. Excellent hoof quality: shape and quality of the horn

3. No harmful environmental effects: wet, infections, irritants

2. Minimal forces on the hooves while standing and walking, maximum lying time

4. Intervene effectively as soon as you see the first signal

Hoof Signals

Success factors for healthy hooves

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The four success factors for excellent hoof health:

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‘Good hoof health brings higher financial returns and

Hoof Signals

About the author and the Vetvice Group

www.vetvice.com

www.cowsignals.com

Jan Hulsen

08-10-13 18:30

C re d i t s

H oof Si gn a ls

Hoof Signals

For books and custom editions:

Author Jan Hulsen, Vetvice® English version content editor: Owen Atkinson; Lambert, Leonard and May Farm Vets

Roodbont Publishers B.V. P.O. Box 4103

Photographs Jan Hulsen Other contributors: Joep Driessen (p. 26, 27, 28), Anneke Hallebeek (p. 6), Menno Holzhauer (p. 34, 35), Paul Hulsen (p. 30), Anne Kloek (p. 22), PTC+ (p. 16, 17, 34, 35).

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With the cooperation of: Menno Holzhauer, GD Deventer Gerrit Hooijer, H3 Consultancy Piet Kloosterman, PTC+ Oenkerk Joep Driessen, Marcel Drint, Nico Vreeburg, Bertjan Westerlaan, Vetvice Group

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Vetvice provides dairy farmers and their advisors and suppliers with practical and reliable information on cattle farming

And with many thanks to: Martien van Bostelen, Vereniging voor Rundveepedicure, Jan Bakker, Neil Chesterton, DigiKlauw, Paul Hulsen, Dick de Lange, Bert van Niejenhuis, Jos Noordhuizen, Kees Peeters, Jan Rietjes, Lucas Talsma, Wiebe Veenstra, hundreds of cattle farmers and a great many vets, consultants and feed advisors.

that has been acquired through scientific research and practice.

By doing so we are endeavouring to achieve a high standard of welfare and health for animal and man in an economical

and sustainable production

system that delivers top quality foodstuffs.

© Jan Hulsen, 2013

For training and education:

No part of this publication may be duplicated, photocopied, reprinted or reproduced in any other form without prior written permission from the publisher.

CowSignals® Training Company The author and publisher have compiled this publication with great

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liability for damage of any kind resulting from actions and/or deci-

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sions based on this information.

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Cow Signals® is a registered trademark of Joep Driessen and Jan Hulsen.

ISBN 978-90-8740-091-0

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Con te n t s

Contents

Introduction: summary 4 Anatomy underfoot and forces

1 Four success factors for healthy hooves Hoof health is people work

6 8

36

Planning and organisation

37

Success factor 1: Excellent quality hooves

10

Functional pedicures

38

Success factor 2: Minimal forces

12

Preventive foot bathing

39

Success factor 3: No environmental effects

14

Functional pedicures : The five-step plan

40

Success factor 4: Early and effective intervention

16

Glueing a block

42

Intervening in hoof problems

17

Treating horn lesions

43

Intervention time: early or too late?

44

Tips for a functional pedicure

45

18

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2 Day-to-day practice

9

4 Hoof care and treatment

Introducing heifers: The no. 1 high-risk time

19

Calving and the start of lactation

20

Drying off and transition

21

Assessing the success factors

47

The total picture of hoof health

22

Structured monitoring

48

Are the cows lying down enough?

23

Assessing during milking

49

Surfaces, rest and space

24

Monitoring hoof health: scoring hoof conditions

50

Drive calmly

25

Record hoof data

51

DairyCo mobility score

52

3 The most common conditions

5 Monitoring

46

26

Hoof score chart

53

Less common conditions

27

Dry and clean

54

Heel horn erosion

28

Inspection card for cubicle comfort

55

Digital dermatitis

29

Instructions for hoof bandage

56

Interdigital growths

30

Checklist successful footbaths

57

Foul-in-the-foot

31

Treatment plan

58

Laminitis 32 White line disease

34

Sole ulcers and white line abscesses

35

Index 59

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Chap te r 1

H oof Si gn a ls

Four success factors for healthy hooves The aspects that determine hoof health on your farm can be subdivided into four key areas or success factors: 1. hoof quality 2. forces on the feet 3. harmful environmental effects

A hoof must meet the same requirements as a good shoe: good fit, sturdy, durable, wear resistant and with a shock absorbing sole.

The difference is that we can change our shoes, while a cow has to make do with her home-grown hooves.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

4. early and effective intervention

Success factors

The aspects that determine hoof health at any given time can be subdivided into four success factors. If these success factors are in place, you have a good chance of achieving excellent hoof health. The classifi cation is artifi cial but very helpful. You can also use it to identify very specifi c points for improvement.

Success factors 1, 2 and 3

1. The cow has an excellent quality shoe (hoof shape, horn quality).

2. The hoof is not overloaded (pressure, wear).

3. There are no harmful environmental effects (e.g. moisture, bacteria, ammonia).

Success factor 4

4. Early and effective intervention.

The earlier you notice hoof conditions and the more effectively you intervene, the greater the chance of a speedy recovery and less damage.

This also applies to shortcomings in the success factors and the occurrence of certain risks.

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Monitoring results

Check systematically whether your cows need to be treated, whether the success factors are in place and how good or bad hoof health on your farm actually is. There are score systems you can use for this. Check the hoof health situation on your farm by scoring the hooves for conditions during trimming. These scores will also show you which success factors can be improved.

The hoof health score (page 50) and the mobility score (page 52) will tell you which cows need your intervention. The hoof health score also shows whether you have got the success factors for hoof quality and harmful effects right. With the hygiene and hock score (pages 54 and 55), you can ascertain whether the cows are lying down suffi ciently and whether their bedding is dry.

Bacteri

Good quality feed and a healthy, well-functioning rumen are extremely important for hoof health. This book contains the key points and how to implement them in practice. Ask your feed adviser for good feed advice tailored to your situation and detailed information.

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H oof h e a lt h i s pe ople wor k

Early signals.

Breeding, rearing, introduction

What does this photograph tell you?

A cow grows her own hooves and therefore determines the starting point in terms of their size, shape and robustness. Breeding is only one factor that impacts on later hoof health. For example: a twisted leg position (hocks-in stance) can be caused by foot infections and floors that are too smooth for young stock.

Heifer introduction must also run smoothly.

The heifer’s hooves need to be healthy at that point, and this is very often not the case. It is also important to keep the stress to which a heifer is exposed during calving to a minimum so she continues to eat, lies down enough and avoids conflict wherever possible.

There is an infected area in the interdigital space on this hoof (yellow arrow). As a result, the sheath of the flexor tendons above the fetlock joint is swollen (red arrow).

The dairy cow Housing is a choice, as it is man-made. Take the time to have a critical look at your housing and improve it if necessary. Putting more bedding in the cubicles, keeping floors drier, good ventilation and a straw pen for close-up and fresh cows will go a long way to improving it. Then you will probably only have to make sure that the floors are even with enough grip and no risk of bruising.

Lift hooves three times a year and trim if necessary. Also treat hoof infections by foot bathing.

Finally, make sure you interact calmly with the animals and keep their interaction with each other on a peaceful footing. Fights, flights and turning abruptly for other reasons or moving off with force will exert extreme pressure on parts of the hooves.

Weight Moving off

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s

C h a pte r 1 . Fo ur s uc c es s fac to rs fo r healthy ho ove s

Legend

Hoof quality

Always handle your animals calmly and let them move at their own speed. Cows walk more slowly than humans.

Forces

Harmful effects

Growth

Wear Bacteria Moisture Pressure points on the floor

Dryness Shape

This illustration shows the positive and harmful events for each success factor. You can influence all three success factors by intervening early and effectively. Always handle the animals calmly and let them move at their own pace. Cows walk more slowly than people.

To recover from her lameness, this cow needs to eat and drink well. But the step up to the feed barrier and the drinking trough is too high. How do you solve this?

First of all, alleviate the pain: administer pain relief, trim the hoof and, if necessary, attach a block. The cow must have sufficient rest, so provide a roomy resting area with a soft floor to prevent her from sustaining any additional bruises from the ground or the cubicle rails.

Move the cow to a location near feed and water: the pasture, or a hospital pen. The cubicle must be dry and not too hot or cold.

Strength of horn

Healing

Intervene

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Su c c e s s f a c to r 1 : Exc ellent qua li t y ho oves

Hoof quality: how do you achieve it?

Hoof quality is the extent to which a hoof is able to withstand certain loads and disorders. The quality of the hoof is determined by a combination of horn hardness, hoof shape and the inner structure of the hoof. Action points: • Provide good quality feed and make sure feed intake is good, so that the horn is as strong as possible.

• Lift the hooves three times a year and trim if necessary so that every hoof is the right shape.

• Make sure heifers and dry cows get enough exercise.

• Use footbaths as much and as often as necessary.

• Breed for hoof health.

horn. The most important factor seems to be a well-functioning rumen, because this ensures a good energy supply, vitamin production, including biotin, and intake of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

The major cause of rumen problems is rumen acidosis; caused by excessive intake of rumen digestible carbohydrates (starch and sugars) in relation to the buffer capacity of the rumen. This buffer capacity depends on the size of the rations, the rumen fill, the rate at which the rumen wall absorbs acids, and the amount of saliva: in other words, chewing and rumination activity.

So make sure that there is enough fibre in the rations and that the cows have a regular feed intake without diet sorting. Sudden feed changes should be avoided, and spoiled or mouldy feed must not be given. The formation of healthy hoof horn requires an adequate supply of specific nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, biotin, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamins A, D and E. Cows must also be able to drink as much as they want all the time, i.e. from troughs. And keep the hooves dry!

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Because the cow grows the horn herself on an ongoing basis, her feeding status, lactation stage and health are also important for horn quality.

Horn grows at a rate of 5 mm per month. The sole is about 1 cm thick, so any bruising is only visible after two months. Sufficient exercise improves circulation to the hoof, so it can endure a greater load.

H oof Si gn a ls

Horn formation and nutrition Nutrition has a major impact on the quality of the sole horn, the health of the corium and the adhesion between the pedal bone and the wall

Hoof health is hereditary Select and breed for hoof health. Breeding affects the state and use of the hooves, their size and shape, horn quality and strength. Pigmented hooves are harder than not pigmented ones, for example, and small breeds have relatively bigger hooves. The degree to which a cow reacts to pain and discomfort also seems to differ between breeds and blood lines. But at the same time, do not expect too much from breeding. The differences within a herd of cows are 25% down to hereditary factors and 75% down to management. Better quality breeding data is becoming available all the time, enabling you to focus more specifically on hoof health in your breeding.

Heritability factors

The wet environment exposes the hoof horn to more moisture, which makes the wall horn more susceptible to wear. Wear on a hard, rough floor makes the soles of these claws almost completely flat. The hoof angle is correct (45-50°) and the interdigital area is slightly open. Changing position results in some parts of the hoof being overloaded, as do frayed edges, depressions and raised areas on the underside of the hoof.

Locomotion score Hoof angle Digital dermatitis Interdigital growths Heel horn erosion Sole haemorrhage White line disease

12% 23% 10% 10% 8% 5% 2%

Source: Veeteelt, 1 August 2004

The actual condition is partly determined by breeding.

We call this the heritability factor. The rest is the result of environmental circumstances.

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Suspen wall ho

C h a pte r 1 . Fo ur s uc c es s fac to rs fo r healthy ho ove s

Succe ss fac tor 1: E xc e lle n t q u a li t y h oove s

High-risk time: calving

oedema (fl uid accumulation). The feet are also very susceptible to this, causing reduced blood fl ow. This situation affects the sole corium, making the hoof highly susceptible to sole haemorrhages, white line defects and detachment of the pedal bone (laminitis) when loaded. See page 33. After severe laminitis, the hoof remains more sensitive to overloading.

Hoof horn and strength In addition to breeding and nutrition, the strength of the hoof horn is also infl uenced by its moisture content. This depends on how dry the immediate surroundings of the hoof are. The more moisture there is in the horn, the softer it is.

Soft horn wears faster and can carry less weight.

The hoof horn forms a protective layer on its surface. If this layer is damaged by walking on rough ground, the hooves are more susceptible to heel horn erosion caused by bacteria and urine.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

The biggest high-risk time for poor hoof quality is calving. During calving, not only are the ligaments in the birth canal affected by hormones, but the ligaments and connective tissue in the foot become softer. This puts more pressure on the sole and therefore on the living tissue (corium) between the sole and the pedal bone.

The cow’s metabolism adjusts to high milk production, which makes her hoof horn softer. The udder diverts nutrients, especially energy and calcium.

At the same time, this is the period in which the cow is very susceptible to feeding problems in the rumen, with toxins entering the bloodstream and her intake of energy, vitamins, (especially A, D, E and biotin), minerals (e.g. copper and zinc) and trace elements (cobalt, manganese) under pressure.

Finally, calving can also cause the formation of

Shape of the hoof

Extensor tendon

Suspension on the wall horn

Not-optimal conditions

Short pastern bone

Flexor tendon

Carriage and support of the sole, with a resilient fat cushion in the bulb area

Pedal bone

The weight of the cow presses on the pedal bone via the short pastern bone. The flexor tendon provides elasticity and transfers more of the pressure to the suspensory tissue on the hoof wall.

In cows suffering from severe laminitis, the pulling force of the flexor tendon causes the pedal bone to separate close to the sole and not by the coronary band, which causes the pedal bone to tilt. During calving, the suspensory ligaments soften and more pressure is exerted on the sole.

Sole at the toe end too thin so the tip of the pedal bone exerts pressure on the sole.

Result: toe ulcer exacerbated by soft sole horn or moisture.

Thin digital cushion poses a greater risk of bruised soles. Result: sole bruising, ulcers.

Thin cows (low BCS) have thin digital cushions.

The toe of the claw is too long or the bulb area is too low. Overloads the sole, especially towards the back. Result: sole bruising, sole ulcers, more heel horn erosion.

Preventive trimming is often needed to give the hooves the best shape. Hoof trimming has an effect on hoof shape for about four months. Severe heel horn erosion reduces the load-bearing surface of the hoof, increasing the risk of overloading. Movement stimulates the blood circulation and metabolism, and improves the quality and load-bearing capacity of the hooves.

Inadequate hoof quality: more sole haemorrhages, white line defects and heel horn erosion.

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Su c c e s s f a c to r 2 : M i ni mal fo rc es

Signals for a good surface

Minimal forces: strategy

Action points for minimal forces: • Make sure all the cows can lie down as often and for as long as they want. Spacious, dry and soft lying places ensure maximum lying time.

• No cows should be made to stand for more than one hour at a time and 2 1/4 hours per day.

• The shed is as peaceful as possible all the time and the cows have plenty of space, so each cow makes as few unexpected or forced movements as possible; good cow flow • The surface is completely even, it provides a good grip and it should preferably be soft.

• The surface causes limited wear and minimal trauma or micro trauma to the claws.

• High-risk locations (turning points, tracks etc.) and high-risk times (herding, calving, dry conditions, nutrition) are known and planned for and managed properly.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

A good surface provides good pressure distribution and good grip and has no protuberances which could damage the cow’s hooves.

On such a surface a cow will take large strides, placing the hind hoof in the hoof print of the front hoof and using the whole surface of the claws.

The cow is less likely to slip on a good surface, so she will be calmer and more confident. She knows that she can fight, flee and show signs of oestrus safely. She will then approach food, water, a lying place and the milking robot, if you have one, earlier and more frequently.

H oof Si gn a ls

A soft surface like soft rubber or a straw yard has the following benefits: • The resilient surface absorbs forces on the hoof when the cow puts her hoof down and moves off.

• Because of the indentation, the carrying capacity is spread over a larger hoof surface.

• The indentation gives the hoof a lot of grip on the ground.

• The hoof wall wears less, so it carries more weight and the sole carries less.

Loose housing such as straw and compost yards also have the advantage that the cows can lie down easily.

Load Ideally, the hoof should never carry bigger loads than it is able to cope with. This is partly connected with hoof quality (success factor 1) and partly with the following: • Pressure: the weight the cow puts on the hoof, divided by the load-bearing surface of the hoof.

• The time a cow spends standing or walking.

• Peak force: sudden forces caused by preparing for and making sudden movements, loading part of the hoof when moving off and turning, point forces from stones, protrusions in the ground, raised edges in the sole.

• Wear forces: caused by rough surface, walking long distances or poor cow flow.

Extra forces or environmental effects will require better hoof quality. For example, a rough or recently roughened concrete floor causes more wear. The hooves will have to be hard and should certainly not have thin soles. Schedule an appointment with the hoof trimmer at least three months before the cows walk on a new or roughened floor, or a month thereafter.

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C h a pte r 1 . Fo ur s uc c es s fac to rs fo r healthy ho ove s

Outside hind hoof: heaviest load

Succ e s s f a c tor 2: M i n i m a l forc e s

Overloading causes bruising

The load on the legs differs, with one claw bearing more of the weight than the other. On the cow’s front legs, the inner claw carries most of the weight, while on the hind legs the outer claw carries more weight. When walking, the cow lands on the outside hind claws first. They can carry more than 90 per cent of the load on the rear legs, so they carry the most load per square centimetre.

What does this photograph tell you?

The period around calving is the time when the claws are at greatest risk of being overloaded. First and foremost, this is because hoof quality is greatly reduced at this time.

In addition, it is very difficult to lie down properly with a swollen udder. And if the cow is stressed, she will not lie down much anyway.

Place transition cows in loose housing with minimal movements and group changes.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

Minimal load

Signals for a good surface

If the pressure on the sole is greater than it can withstand, this causes pressure points and bruising at the point where the pedal bone presses on the sole.

Along the white line, where the sole is attached to the wall, pulling forces can lead to haemorrhaging (bruising) and tearing (white line disease). This can be caused by sideways movements or sharp turns.

Haemorrhages and pressure points on the sole can easily become irritated or infected, resulting in sole ulcers and white line abscesses.

The outside hind claw is often higher than the inside claw. It is bigger and more heavily loaded, so it grows faster. The bigger load is probably made worse by smoothness and pain in the bulb area caused by heel horn erosion. You can correct this with preventive trims.

Action required: • Provide a soft surface with sufficient grip.

• Avoid short, forced bends (entrance and exit of parlour, milking robot or out-of-parlour feeders).

• Create space at high risk spots such as drinking troughs.

• Repair uneven parts of the floor and make sure slats are even.

• Roughen the floor at busy points or lay a rubber covering.

• Remove cows in oestrus from the herd.

• Herd cows gently, never use force, always be predictable; allow cows to drift.

• Make funnel-shaped entrances.

• Remove any sharp points or protrusions.

Too high a load can cause sole bruising, white line disease or too thin soles, which can lead to ulcers and chronic lameness.

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Su c c e s s f a c to r 3 : No env i ro nmenta l effec ts

H oof Si gn a ls

Avoiding harmful environmental effects: strategy

Action points for limiting harmful environmental effects: • Make sure passages and lying places are dry (dry environment). • Provide a clean environment, especially in terms of substances that affect the horn and skin.

It is also important to minimise the infection pressure from hoof infections in order to prevent hooves from becoming infected from bacteria in the environment.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

No attacks from outside Factors that can cause harm to the hoof horn and skin are moisture, urine, ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and bacterial infections. Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide are found in slurry and dung. The pH level has little effect. The bulb horn is particularly susceptible to these harmful effects and is therefore protected by the natural surface layer. Floors and tracks can damage this protective layer. Damaged horn can be softened and affected by the above substances, leaving it vulnerable to ambient bacteria that cause craters and fissures (heel horn erosion). A damp environment causes softening of the hoof horn. As a result, the hoof can carry less load. Beef cattle with hard hooves are susceptible to sand cracks in dry, hot weather, usually in the front hooves.

In straw yards and on other soft surfaces, cows suffer fewer hoof infections as long as their soles do not become damaged and the ground is sufficiently dry. Heel horn erosion infections are quite common on soft surfaces, but they do not necessarily cause lameness.

Infection pressure: the risk of infection with foul-in-the-foot, digital dermatitis and heel horn erosion bacteria Infection pressure = number of pathogens attacking the hoof + pathogenicity of these organisms. Do not bring in animals from other farms, or if you do, make sure they do not bring in any infections. The more animals you have, the faster the infection pressure can increase. That is why it is important to footbath large herds regularly.

Number of pathogens

Pathogenicity

The amount of soiling on these hooves indicates how much faecal material and moisture they come into contact with. Most pathogens are transferred by manure and other slurry that cows walk through.

An aggressive skin infection which may only have been caused by a small number of pathogens to begin with. The cow was on pasture. Horn damage from the outdoor track may have been the point of entry.

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Tackle the source

Managing hoof infections and keeping hooves clean are tasks that require a lot of insight and a systematic approach. This includes many daily tasks such as adjusting the shed ventilation and cleaning cross-overs and passages.

Treating the problems associated with high infection pressure from digital dermatitis and heel horn erosion and keeping them under control is much more time-consuming than maintaining low infection pressure.

Succe ss fac tor 3 : N o e nv i ron m e n t a l e f fe c t s

If you want to reduce the infection pressure, you will have to go to even more trouble for a while.

Sometimes it can take you anything up to a year.

Pasture grazing makes heel horn erosion less serious, but it does not disappear completely. Digital dermatitis can decline, but it can also worsen.

Digital dermatitis strikes earlier and more persistently in cows with low resistance. Treat these animals at the first sign of problems.

co pr py ot rig ec h te t d

o not ore aniarge

C h a pte r 1 . Fo ur s uc c es s fac to rs fo r healthy ho ove s

With a V scraper, the cows can step over the sides without their hooves getting contaminated by the rush of manure.

Comfortable cubicles will ensure that the cows do not stand for long with their hind legs in the manure outside the cubicle.

In a clean, dry environment, hooves also stay clean and dry. Dryness is an excellent ‘disinfectant’; it also helps keep hooves hard. For this reason, good ventilation plays an important role in better hoof health.

The closer cows stand together, the easier it is for pathogens to be transmitted from animal to animal. Virtually all pathogens survive the move from one claw to the next. Crowding also increases the animals’ stress levels, which lowers their resistance.

High-risk locations and sources of infection

Faecal material and moisture: a highrisk location for hoof infections. Here passing cows can pick up bacteria that can cause heel horn erosion, foul and digital dermatitis. Keep passages clean and dry.

The muck at the bottom of this footbath makes the hooves wet and dirty, and contaminates every passing cow with germs. After every milking, clean or remove the footbaths.

Infected hooves constantly spread bacteria and are therefore a root cause of infection pressure. The wet, warm areas on the claw and in the interdigital space are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

Treat claw infections fast and effectively.

Too many environmental effects can cause heel horn erosion, digital dermatitis and soft sole horn from moisture.

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Su c c e s s f a c to r 4 : Ear ly a nd effec ti ve i nter venti o n

H oof Si gn a ls

Early and effective intervention: strategy This success factor consists of two parts: early intervention if a cow has a hoof problem, and intervention if the success factors are no longer working or if a risk occurs.

Know and manage every high-risk time Every change involves a risk, as do certain events.

Always ask yourself: can this have a negative effect on the status, resistance or health of the claws? And then: how do I prevent this? And how do I check whether any hoof problems have arisen?

Intervene early if the success factors are no longer working or if risks are occurring: • Check at set times how the success factors are working, ideally with a checklist, or get your advisor to do it.

• Check hoof health regularly, with score cards and checklists and while you are doing hoof trims.

• Keep an eye open for the unexpected.

1

Intervene early where there are problems: • You and all your workers need to recognise every hoof problem at an early stage.

• Treat immediately or within two days at the latest.

• Give the cow the necessary aftercare and check her condition after three or four days.

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Three examples. What can you see and what should you do?

You have recently taken delivery of a new batch of bedding.

1

These hocks are quite bald, and there are small scratches in the bald patches. The bedding material is too hard and too abrasive. The cows develop swollen hocks and ulcers and are less willing to lie down. Use a different type of bedding material, or much more of it.

The slurry scraper is broken.

2

Try to keep the floor as dry as possible and prevent the cows from getting nervous. Pass them through a footbath every day. Remember that the infection pressure from mastitis bacteria is also on the increase.

The cows will shortly be moving into the new shed.

3

3

Risk of excessive wear of the hooves. Sweep floors clean and eliminate all sharp edges. Make sure the cows walk very calmly. Lay rubber at high-risk locations. If there is fresh concrete that is less than six weeks old, spread with hydrochloric acid (2.5%), boiled linseed oil (≥ 15°C) or a diluted linseed oil mixture. If in doubt, spray dung on the floors. Do not trim the animals’ hooves before they enter the shed, and afterwards trim them very carefully.

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C h a pte r 1 . Fo ur s uc c es s fac to rs fo r healthy ho ove s

I n te r ve n i n g i n h oof proble m s

Early and effective treatment Identify every hoof problem on every cow at an early stage.

1

Then deal with them as quickly as possible.

2

Hoof score chart Correct

Needs attention

Take action

Rule no. 1 for effective treatment

Take action

Side view

one person can A calm farmer: • is predictable and doesn’t scare cows • drives cows at their own pace and gives them time to pass tricky spots • doesn’t hurt cows, talks to and touches them

Hoof angle 45-55° Unblemished heel area

Heel too low

Toe too long

Cleft slightly open. Hoof wall straight and bearing weight

Length/conformation hoof could be better, incl. closed interdigital space

Toe curls upwards

Little or no manure

>40% and <75% of hoof covered with manure

>75% of hoof covered with manure

Outside of lower limb splashed with manure up to the fetlock

Dry or practically dry

Lower 1/3rd of hoof wet

Wet interdigital space

Entire hoof wet

Front view

get one cow Calm cows: • react predictably and can be driven easily • result from plenty of contact with calm people • result from safe shed design (grip, no obstacles), good health (hooves in particular) and excellent feed management (no fighting for feed)

Manure soiling

ready for treatment Clever shed design: • cleverly positioned barriers guide the cow • close the barriers on the way to the cow, open them again as you drive the cows • the shed design doesn’t give the cow the urge to escape

Dry or wet

in one minute

Coronary band treatment crush

at feed barrier

management rail

crush

and treat it properly in one go

Both hind legs straight, weight fully on hooves

Redness

Swelling

Crusts, visible skin damage, interdigital growths Does not fully extend fetlock

• you know what to do and how to do it • all equipment at hand and ready to use (clean, sharp, safe) • Cow easily accessible and secure • plenty of light, enough space, pleasant temperature, no draughts, sheltered from the elements • working methods, apparatus and equipment are safe for yourself, bystanders and cows

Relieves one limb

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No swelling, no redness

Pain and relief

Professional:

Dry membranes on manure, cow drinks (too) little

'Roodbont B.V./Vetvice

©Vetvice/Roodbont, May 2010

Lifts limb when standing still, Occasionally ‘shakes’ limbs: severe pain

Illustrations: Herman Roozen

Legs splayed.

Walks on ‘toes’

Direct action cows

Clearly lame Empty rumen: cow eats too little

Books in the CowSignals® series include Cow Signals, Hooves, From calf to heifer, Udder Health and Fertility.

The Future Farming series deals primarily with the management of cattle farms.

Publications in this series include Robotic Milking.

This poster was produced by:

www.roodbont.com

www.vetvice.com

www.cowsignals.com

Make sure this is what you do on your farm.

Score cards and advice from experts help you check the right points and recognise all the signals.

Give each problem the best medical treatment.

3

CowSignals®

The CowSignals® concept includes books, talks, posters and other communication media. CowSignals® presents highly practical, reader-friendly information on animal-oriented cattle farming.

Job well done!

Then give each cow the best aftercare.

4

Make sure you know enough about these aspects by taking training courses, reading books, and so on. And ask for advice and information from your hoof trimmer and vet, or ask them to do the treatment. Use clean, sharp, good quality equipment. You will usually need to check that the lesion is healing properly after three to four days.

Hoof_Signals_Interior_UK.indd 17

Make sure the cow is eating and drinking properly and can lie down comfortably. Attach a block if you think it will be helpful. Most treatments need to be checked after three to four days. Pain control is often an important part of the treatment.

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08-10-13 18:33

Hoof Signals ‘Good hoof health brings higher financial returns and

The CowSignals® Training Company: Top-of-the-bill training, presentations and consultancy. Visit us for a unique Dutch Dairy Experience at the CowSignals Center Europe, in the Netherlands. We can also visit your company.

The Certified CowSignals Trainer Program stands for quality of cow and dairy knowledge, plus communication and presentation skills. www.cowsignals.com Vetvice Barn Design / DairyLogix: Designing barns for cow comfort and labor efficiency, that are flexible, simple, safe & expandable. The Vetvice advisors help you build a future-proof barn with low operating costs. Specialists in robotic milking and in 150+ dairy herds. www.vetvice.com (Canada & USA: www.dairylogix.com) Vetvice Future Farming Consultancy: Management tools, information and consultancy to monitor and improve a dairy farm. Specialists in cow health and production, labor efficiency and productively applying sensor technologies. www.vetvice.com

reduces the pressure of work. And it delivers more job satisfaction for man and cow.’

Our cows’ hooves are the weakest link in their health, along with feed and feed intake. Cows that become lame - however slightly - suffer from pain and will eat, drink and lie down less.

They will therefore produce less milk and it will be more difficult to get them in calf. Plus they will need additional attention and work on an ongoing basis.

2. Minimal forces on the hooves while standing and walking, maximum lying time

This is why it is important for every livestock farmer to pay constant attention to the health of his cows’ hooves. In terms of the design and construction of paths and barns. In terms of the way they are managed so they remain clean and dry. And in terms of daily care tasks such as feeding, moving and treatment of the animals.

A good manager makes hoof health care an integral part of his work and in his daily, weekly, monthly and annual routine. He also focuses on prevention, so his time is not constantly taken up treating lame cows. He thinks ahead!

3. No harmful environmental effects: wet, infections, irritants

4. Intervene effectively as soon as you see the first signal

The modern farmer knows that he can bring in specialist vets, hoof trimmers and feed advisors. They may not have a clear picture of why certain conditions come about, but they know more than enough about how to prevent them.

Hoof Signals provides all the practical knowledge a farmer needs to get hoof health on his dairy farm under control. With easily understandable descriptions, clear drawings and lots of photographs.

Hoof Signals is a publication in the Cow Signals® series. Cow Signals® presents highly practical knowledge on animal-oriented cattle farming in an accessible way.

The Vetvice hoof health core team, from left to right: Jan Hulsen DVM, MSM, Joep Driessen DVM, Anne Kloek B.Agr.Sci, Bertjan Westerlaan DVM, Wiebe Veenstra M.Agr.Sci, Marcel Drint DVM, Nico Vreeburg DVM.

Hoof Signals

Success factors for healthy hooves

www.roodbont.com

Hoof_Signals_Cover_UK.indd 1

1. Excellent hoof quality: shape and quality of the horn

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Jan Hulsen grew up on a farm with dairy cattle and finishing pigs. With a degree in veterinary medicine and a strong interest in communication he enjoyed a good three years of on farm work in a large animal practice before refocusing on helping farmers sharpen their critical thinking and observation skills, and increasing their knowledge of the needs of their livestock and other management issues. Jan is a trained journalist and has an executive MBA-degree.

Vetvice® is an independent training and consultancy group, supporting dairy farmers and their suppliers and advisors worldwide. It consists of:

The four success factors for excellent hoof health:

Hoof Signals

About the author and the Vetvice Group

www.vetvice.com

www.cowsignals.com

Jan Hulsen

08-10-13 18:30