Hind limb conformation has limited influence on claw load distribution in dairy cows

摘要

The high prevalence of claw lesions in dairy cowsnecessitates the investigation and hopefully eliminationof factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis ofthese disorders. Indirect genetic selection for specificconformation traits in feet and legs has been evaluatedas a means of improving claw health but to datehas not been successful. Claw disorders are commonlydiscussed in context with unequal claw load, and thusthis study was designed to investigate the relationshipbetween hind limb conformation and the load exertedon the respective claws. A total of 36 cows were dividedinto 3 groups of 12 based on the presence of parallel,straight, and cow-hocked hind limb conformation.The vertical ground reaction forces, claw prints, andmean and maximum pressures under the claws weremeasured in these cows before and after claw trimming.The principal characteristic of all 3 conformation traitswas a significantly higher load on the lateral claws comparedwith the medial claws, which was least severe incow-hocked cows. After functional foot trimming, theclaws of the cows with straight conformation tended tohave the most pronounced disproportion between theloads of the paired claws. Considering that a significantlyhigher load on the lateral claws occurred with all3 conformations, the potential for improvement of clawhealth by means of indirect genetic selection for specifichind limb traits appears limited.