Lameness prevention is more effective and welfare-positive than treatment, with systematic prevention programmes reducing lameness prevalence by 50-70% in well-managed herds.
Lameness prevention welfare operates by eliminating the conditions that cause the disease rather than managing its consequences. Mobility scoring systems identify early lameness before it becomes severe, enabling intervention at a stage when recovery is faster and more complete. Regular foot bathing kills the bacteria responsible for digital dermatitis, a major lameness cause. Housing design improvements that reduce slippery surfaces and improve lying area comfort reduce the risk of traumatic lameness. Farmer knowledge and stockperson training enable both better prevention and earlier recognition, creating a system that delivers welfare improvement across the herd.