Dairy Cow Hoof Care 101
While cattle pedicures lack the massage chairs and fancy lotions of the nail salons you’re accustomed to, or so I’m told, they’re relatively similar to human pedicures. Most dairy farms trim hooves on a regular schedule, usually twice a year.
Why do we do it?
In short, just like we cut our toenails, cows’ hooves are consistently growing and need trimmed. Basically, it’s good hygiene. We have the cows’ hooves trimmed on a regular basis to maintain welfare and to prevent lameness. Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center took a deep-dive into hoof health care, and if you’re interested in science-based literature, this will be right up your alley.
Does this hurt the cow?
No. You can see in the below video, the cow is chill and not bothered by the trimming. Just like your nails, as long as you don’t over-trim, it is not painful. We recommend that a professional do the trimming (a farrier or veterinarian) so that it’s done correctly.
While I am a seasoned dairy farmer, I am not the expert when it comes to hoof trimming. We want the best care for our girls, which means we rely on the experts to make it happen.
In case you missed it, Reagan gave me a pedicure with Medium Cheddar Nail Polish, which is available in the Tillamook Shop in celebration of National Cheddar Day.
