Trimming cows’ feet: when to trim and what to avoid

Foot trimming is an important part of lameness prevention and reduction. Find out when it’s necessary and how to intervene.

To reduce cases of lameness, it's important to:

• Regularly mobility score cows to spot lameness early
• Don’t wait to treat them
• Record all lesions found, to help develop your lameness reduction plan

Every dairy farm should have a ‘special needs’ facility, for proper care of lame and injured cows. This should be separate from the calving and fresh cow group.

Also remember the following:

• Routine foot checks around drying off, mean cows calve down with good foot shape
• Include heifers prior to first lactation, only if they have overgrowth
• A second routine check 6–0 weeks into lactation, when horn disorders are most likely to be present, can be useful
• Some cows (for example, extensive grazing herds) never need trimming, as hoof wear matches growth. However, regular hoof checks can still reduce lameness by catching and treating hoof lesions early
• Using a professional hoof trimmer is sensible because they have the necessary skills and equipment
• Use a licensed hoof trimmer registered with the Register of Cattle Foot Trimmers, the Cattle Hoof Care Standards Board or another recognised accreditation body

Avoid over-trimming

• Measure correctly from where the wall is hard/thick (not the hairline)
• Don’t guess
• Recognise when a foot doesn’t need trimming
• Check for thin soles

Don’t over-trim the wall

• The wall is the most important weight-bearing structure
• A mistake commonly made with grinders is ’shaping’ the wall
• Preserve the wall on the inside edge too, which is at the front third of the foot

Avoid chasing black marks

• A trimmed foot does not have to appear white
• Cracks and flakes on the sole are normal – avoid trimming away sole unnecessarily, especially at the toe
• Always preserve horn on the inner claw (or outer for front feet)

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