How to block a lame cow’s foot

Blocking a cow’s foot is an excellent way of changing how physical forces act on a lame foot. Find out the correct way to block a foot and common pitfalls to avoid.

The 5-step approach

1. Clean the foot thoroughly.
2. Dry with hairdryer or methylated spirits.
3. Mix glue according to instructions.
4. Apply block well back on sole of healthy foot. Push on firmly but do not squeeze too much of the glue out from between the sole and the block or it will not stick as well.
5. Let the glue set thoroughly before letting the foot down.

Common pitfalls

As with any procedure, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the things that could go wrong in order to avoid them. Here are the common pitfalls to watch out for:

• The block does not sit far enough back on the sole, so the cow walks on her heel (lengthening toe)
• The foot is not level before applying the block
• The foot is not dry enough, so the glue doesn’t stick well
• The glue is taking a long time to set due to cold weather – store all equipment in a warm place
• The block is left on too long – uneven wear at the heel leads to the cow rocking backwards as she walks
• The back of the block rubs the heel of the other claw
• The block slopes backwards
• The block slopes inward
• The glue is applied too far back towards the soft horn of the heel
• Failing to give anti-inflammatory pain relief (NSAID) which has been shown to promote recovery

Tips for success

• Check the block regularly and remove if wear is uneven or the block causes discomfort
• Cows with blocks should be rechecked at four weeks after treatment to ensure the lesion is healing and to check the block
• If in doubt, remove the block
• If the lesion has not healed and the block is badly worn, remove it and apply a new one

If you would like to order a hard copy of the Hoof care field guide, please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.