Hock and hooves condition and changes in behaviour of cows in tied system

Abstract

Claw horn disorders, infectious diseases of hooves and leg injuries cause lameness in dairy cows (Olechnowicz and Jaskowski, 2011). A lame cow is easily recognized while walking. In tied system, hock and hoof injuries are common, and some of them is easy to spot. However, behaviour that indicates pain in the hooves often remains unnoticed which compromise welfare status of affected animals. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and character of the changes in the hocks and hoofs among tied dairy cows, and also behavior of cows with those changes.