Mobility scoring provides a standardised method for assessing lameness in cattle. Regular scoring enables early identification of lame animals and significantly reduces the welfare burden of lameness on farm.
Cattle mobility scoring is a transformative welfare tool because lameness is so prevalent, so painful, and so treatable when identified early. The welfare harm of lameness is substantial — cortisol elevation, altered lying behaviour, reduced feed intake, and impaired ability to express natural movement all indicate significant negative affective states. Lameness recognition by farmers and stockpeople is the critical bottleneck: observational recognition rates without training are estimated at under 50% for score 2 cattle, meaning half of lame cows go unidentified and untreated. Regular monthly mobility scoring using validated protocols dramatically improves identification and treatment rates. Treatment must include appropriate analgesia — NSAID use at time of trimming and during recovery significantly reduces welfare harm. Farm lameness reduction programmes that combine mobility scoring training, routine foot trimming, footbath protocols, and housing improvement consistently achieve large welfare improvements sustained over multiple years.