ASSESSMENT OF BOVINE HOOF CONFORMATION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH LAMENESS, ANIMAL FACTORS AND MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES ON SMALL-SCALE DAIRY FARMS IN KIAMBU DISTRICT, KENYA

Digital health and conformation were assessed in 216 dairy cattle on 7 8 randomly selected small-scale farms. For each cow, gait was assessed and the digits examined in detail. Hoof measurements (angle and lengt h of the dorsal hoof wall, heel depth and hoof-base area) were also ma de. Hoof measurements varied most between individual cattle. Dorsal an gle was correlated with heel depth (r = 0,53; P = 0,001) and dorsal le ngth (r = -0,40; P = 0,001). The hoof-base area was correlated with th e dorsal length (r = 0,41; P = 0,001). There were significant breed di fferences in dorsal angle (P = 0,03) and dorsal length (P < 0,01). The dorsal angle was correlated with parity and body condition, while the dorsal length, heel depth and the hoof-base area were correlated with the heart girth (P < 0,01). Hoof conformation was associated with bot h clinical lameness and hoof lesions. Al-cm increase in the dorsal len gth increased the odds of lameness by 16,9, heel erosion by 1,8, under running by 5,4 and overgrowth by 40 (P < 0,01).