cow?

Dancing cows
The tap dancer
Cows pick their feet up and put them down, because of a
significantly sore sole or hoof. Cows are trying to alleviate pain
and will lift a hoof up for a while, however it places pressure on
the other hoof and both end up sore. This is a common result of
being kept on concrete too long.
Cows trying to alleviate pain will lift a hoof up for periods of time.
The waltzing cow
The waltzing cow moves from left to right foot. It has probably
been standing on concrete for too long and has bruised soles.
The Charlie Chaplian
If a cow is standing or walking with her feet turned out (like
Charlie Chaplin) this indicates a chronic problem, with feet which
are too long or inflamed. Cows rotate their feet outwards to
relieve painful areas of the sole.
Back posture standing
Back posture walking
The hunchback
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Cows walking with a curved back and shorter strides indicate
they are slightly lame. Cows which stand with a curved back are
more significantly lame, and need attention.
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Flat
Flat
Flat
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What to do: Critical lameness can benefit immediately from
disinfectant foot baths. Ongoing management should include
routine hoof trimming, washing hooves daily to remove mud and
manure, and taking care of tracks (sealing and removing stones).
Minimising time spent on concrete and standing in manure
can be very beneficial. Cows should not be kept on concrete for
too long. Farms which milk on concrete twice a day and feed on
a concrete feedpad or barn should be particularly wary, as cows
which spend around eight hours a day on concrete will likely
cause lameness. Standing in manure and mud will also cause
dermatitis, so should be minimised.
Arched
Arched
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1 - Normal
Key
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2 - Mildly lame
3 - Moderately lame
4 - Lame
5 - Severly lame
Illustration courtesy of
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Arched
InsideDairy
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