Abstract
On the basis of matching parity and calving month, 38 Holstein cows housed in cubicles were divided into 2 groups (P and NP). The hooves of the cows in group P were trimmed at from 1 to 2 months before and from 4 to 5 months after calving. The hooves of the cows in group NP remained untrimmed. During lactation periods, hoof sizes and subclinical sole lesions of the right hind hoof of each cow were periodically measured. Examination immediately after trimming showed differences in outer-hoof shape between the two groups. After 6 months, however, the differences had disappeared, suggesting that hoof shape is maintained for up to 6 months. Scores for sole hemorrhage of the outer hoof were significantly lower in the P group than in the NP group only during the first 1 or 2 months after calving. No difference in disease occurrence was observed between the two groups. These results suggest that the effect of trimming on creating load balance between the inner and outer hooves can be maintained for only a short period under the cubicle housing system.
