Lameness is the most economically and welfare-significant health problem in dairy cattle, and systematic hoof care programs combined with housing improvements represent the most effective approach to reduction.
Cattle lameness is the third most significant welfare problem in dairy farming globally after mastitis and reproductive disease, and arguably the most painful chronic condition affecting individual cows. A lame cow walking on painful hooves with every step is experiencing continuous suffering that compromises every aspect of her welfare. The high prevalence of lameness in intensive dairy systems reflects housing and management practices that prioritize milking efficiency over physical welfare. Preventive hoof care, including regular trimming to correct overgrowth and address early lesions, is far more effective than treating lameness once established. Housing modifications that reduce standing time on concrete, provide cushioned flooring, and allow normal lying behavior address the root causes of the most common lame causes.