VOLUME ASSESSMENT OF THE BOVINE HOOF

The size of bovine hooves is one factor that may affect their ability to absorb shock. An increase in size could therefore reduce the risk o f lameness associated with excessive digit loading. The hooves of 30 m ature cattle were assessed by linear measurements with the objective o f predicting digit volume, which was measured separately by water disp lacement. Claw volume was predicted accurately by regression equations including the top hoof width, toe length and heel angle. Replacing to e length and heel angle with the age and weight of the animal also gav e an acceptable prediction and would be more appropriate for on-farm m easurement. A reasonable prediction could be obtained from the top hoo f width alone. Front hooves were larger and had greater heel depth tha n hind hooves. In 26 of the cattle either the right fore and left rear hooves, or the left fore and right rear hooves, were larger than the other two hooves, indicating that crossed limb laterality (symmetry in diagonally opposed limbs) may be present to a greater degree than has been previously recognised in quadrupeds.