Hoof trimming: How rubber mats prevent hoof diseases

Why is hoof trimming so important for cows? Quite simple really: A healthy farm needs healthy legs to stand on – in the truest sense of the words!

Hooves have a special significance in this regard: Not only do they bear the whole weight of the cow, they also come into direct contact with various types of soil, from soft pasture soil to hard barn flooring. The hooves quickly show how appropriate the ground is for the animals in question.

The following usually applies: A soft floor contributes significantly to a healthy hoof and thus decisively to both the well‐being and the productivity of a cow. Let us now take a closer look at these relationships and answer the question of how rubber mats in barns can prevent hoof diseases.

Influence of the floor on hoof health

Cows can be on their feet for up to twelve hours a day. As such, the flooring has a decisive impact on hoof health – and thus also on the overall well‐being of the animal. The key factors for assessing a floor are its hardness and slip resistance. As described above, the hooves of a cow are asymmetrical and, therefore, perfectly adapted to natural, soft soils, such as those found in a pasture or meadow. For instance, the slightly longer outer claw can sink into the ground and ensure the cow is standing and walking correctly. At the same time, the load is also distributed to the shorter inner claw.

Hard ground surfaces such as natural stone or concrete, as commonly found in barns or on outdoor walking areas, prevent the outer claw from sinking in – thereby compromising the animal’s stability and ability to distribute load effectively. Needless to say, cows that slip or are in pain while walking tend to move less and more slowly. They avoid unnecessary walking and take only very short, careful steps.

Restricted movement becomes evident through discernible changes in feed intake, lying times or the number of times a cow stands to be mounted during estrus.

The result: Reduced milk yield caused by a slower metabolism.

Beyond these indicators of a cow’s well‐being, excessively hard ground continues to have detrimental effects on the health of dairy cattle. The absence of load distribution places the entire weight of the cow on the outer claw, which is often unable to bear this immense load. This frequently leads to highly dangerous pressure‐related hoof diseases (such as sole ulcer, double sole or white line disease).

Additional accompanying incorrect hoof abrasion, as occurs on hard ground, allows the hoof to tip backward. This results in an excessive load being placed on the longer bone of the outer claw and an increased risk of serious hoof disease.

Without complex and careful hoof trimming, this can, in the worst instances, result in lameness of the cow. A problem that can be avoided with appropriate barn flooring
 

As it helps to alleviate the strain on the outer claw

Most hoof diseases among dairy cattle are a direct result of the barn flooring being too hard and slippery. The remedy is a soft rubber floor that provides the closest comfort to the natural ground of a pasture. Rubber barn flooring presents several key advantages that boost the health of your cattle: