By Shearer, J. K. and van Amstel, S. R., Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 2001
Description
The biomechanics of weight bearing in dairy cows, combined with modern feeding practices and housing systems common to intensive dairy production, often lead to claw horn overgrowth and overburdening of the lateral claw of rear and medial claw of front feet. Lf not corrected, overburdening predisposes to claw disorders, particularly sole ulcers and white-line disease. The purpose of functional trimming is to correct claw horn overgrowth, thereby reestablishing appropriate distribution of the cow's body weight within and between the claws of each foot. The objectives of claw trimming are to correct lesions of the claw capsule by adjusting weight bearing and to remove loose and damaged claw horn tissue. Properly applied, the principles of functional and corrective trimming are effective measures for treatment, control, and prevention of lameness disorders.
The biomechanics of weight bearing in dairy cows, combined with modern feeding practices and housing systems common to intensive dairy production, often lead to claw horn overgrowth and overburdening of the lateral claw of rear and medial claw of front feet. Lf not corrected, overburdening predisposes to claw disorders, particularly sole ulcers and white-line disease. The purpose of functional trimming is to correct claw horn overgrowth, thereby reestablishing appropriate distribution of the cow's body weight within and between the claws of each foot. The objectives of claw trimming are to correct lesions of the claw capsule by adjusting weight bearing and to remove loose and damaged claw horn tissue. Properly applied, the principles of functional and corrective trimming are effective measures for treatment, control, and prevention of lameness disorders.
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