Sheep, goats, horses, cows – they all grow claws and hooves. They all need to be trimmed or shod regularly. Even pets like dogs get their claws trimmed regularly. Horses go to the farrier every six weeks. Cows have their hooves trimmed every six months.
Anatomically speaking, cows walk on tiptoe. If the claw grows crookedly, this can lead to misalignment and joint pain. Especially if the cow – like many people – already has a congenital deformity. In addition to this prophylactic care, treatment is particularly important if, for example, a cow has kicked a stone and the area becomes inflamed, which is very painful.
Incidentally, I only know a hoof crush as state-of-the-art as the one in the photo from a veterinarian. The good thing about it: It provides a good view of the cow’s hooves. This means that the person caring for the hooves can work faster and in a more targeted manner. This shortens the time the cow spends in this position and therefore also the time it spends in a stressful situation.
The farms where I trained or work as a student trainee have simpler hoof crushes. The cow is usually lifted into it, then two people work synchronously, one on the front legs and one on the hind legs, and after five minutes it’s all over.
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