Evaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy goats

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dc.citation.issue2
dc.citation.volume106
dc.contributor.authorDeeming LE
dc.contributor.authorBeausoleil NJ
dc.contributor.authorStafford KJ
dc.contributor.authorWebster JR
dc.contributor.authorCox N
dc.contributor.authorZobel G
dc.coverage.spatialUnited States
dc.date.accessioned2024-01-16T01:40:15Z
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-25T06:47:17Z
dc.date.available2022-12-19
dc.date.available2024-01-16T01:40:15Z
dc.date.available2024-07-25T06:47:17Z
dc.date.issued2023-02
dc.description.abstractHoof overgrowth is associated with poor conformation, an altered weight-bearing surface, and a reduction in the hoof's anatomic and functional integrity. As a result of housing systems that promote hoof overgrowth, hoof trimming is considered a priority in dairy goats. However, there are few data on the effects of the timing of first trimming on hoof conformation and growth rate. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the long-term effects of 2 different hoof trimming start times and (2) to investigate the pattern of hoof growth across the first 2 yr of life. Eighty 5-mo-old female Saanen-cross commercially housed dairy goats were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) early trimmed (trimming beginning at 5 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter) and (2) late trimmed (trimming beginning at 13 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter). Using a combination of photographs and radiographs, hoof conformation, joint positions, and hoof wall length were assessed before the 13- and 25-mo trimming events. Hoof growth was assessed every 12 wk using caliper measurements. Overall, starting hoof trimming earlier had minor and inconsistent effects. However, detrimental changes in conformation and joint positions occurred between trimming events, particularly in the hind hooves, regardless of trimming treatment. At both assessments, there was a high percentage of overgrown toes and dipped heels, with the hind hooves being more affected compared with the front (overgrown toes at 13 mo, 97.1 vs. 79.1 ± 5.2%; overgrown toes at 25 mo, 91.7 vs. 56.3 ± 6.7%; dipped heels at 13 mo, 98.5 vs. 19.3 ± 5.0%; dipped heels at 25 mo, 88.3 vs. 4.9 ± 4.8%). In addition, at both assessments, the distal interphalangeal joint angle was greater in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 79.5 vs. 65.2 ± 1.7°; 25 mo, 79.0 vs. 66.7 ± 0.9°), whereas heel angles were less in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 41.8 vs. 57.1 ± 1.5°; 25 mo, 44.9 vs. 55.9 ± 1.1°). On average, the front hooves grew 4.39 mm/mo and the hind hooves grew 4.20 mm/mo. Early trimming did not have consistent effects on hoof growth rate. Importantly, our results suggest that trimming every 4 mo is not sufficient to prevent hoof overgrowth, the development of poor conformation, and detrimental changes in joint positions, particularly in the hind hooves. Furthermore, the detrimental changes may have masked any long-term treatment effects. Therefore, trimming frequency and age of first trimming should be considered when devising hoof care protocols for dairy goats housed in environments that do not offer opportunities for natural hoof wear.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.editionFebruary 2023
dc.format.pagination1065-1077
dc.identifier.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36543638
dc.identifier.citationDeeming LE, Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Webster JR, Cox N, Zobel G. (2023). Evaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy goats.. J Dairy Sci. 106. 2. (pp. 1065-1077).
dc.identifier.doi10.3168/jds.2022-22321
dc.identifier.eissn1525-3198
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.issn0022-0302
dc.identifier.piiS0022-0302(22)00735-4
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/70873
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherFederation of Animal Science Societies and Elsevier Inc on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030222007354
dc.relation.isPartOfJ Dairy Sci
dc.rights(c) 2023 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectclaw deformation
dc.subjecthoof conformation
dc.subjecthoof overgrowth
dc.subjecthoof wall length
dc.subjectjoint positions
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectCattle
dc.subjectHoof and Claw
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectWeight-Bearing
dc.subjectGoats
dc.subjectCattle Diseases
dc.subjectGoat Diseases
dc.titleEvaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy goats
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id458630
pubs.organisational-groupOther
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