What is lameness?

Lameness is a condition that affects a cow’s ability to walk. A lame cow is usually unwilling or slow to place one or more hooves on the ground and is likely to be near the back of the herd when walking to be milked. In Ireland, depending on time of year between 4-7 % of cows present with moderate lameness. Lameness can impact the cow’s overall health, fertility and risk of mortality.

The treatment of lameness largely depends on the cause, with causes including infections or injuries in or around the hoof or overgrown/misshapen claws. Routine hoof trimming and the provision of clean, dry and comfortable walking/lying areas can help to limit the occurrence of the condition. Mobility scoring provides a standardised way for farmers to regularly assess their herd for lameness, allowing them to promptly identify and deal with early cases of lameness and benchmark progress.