Lameness isn’t just a limp — it’s a silent profit killer. With estimates showing it can cost farmers $15,000 or more per herd, per year, preventing lameness isn’t just good welfare, it’s good business.
Here are the five most common causes of lameness in Australian herds, plus practical tips to prevent each one.
1. White Line Disease
Where: Lateral claw, between the sole and hoof wall
When: Most common in high-pressure walking conditions
Cause:
White line disease is caused by separation between the sole and hoof wall, made worse by poor tracks, sharp turns, and high herd pressure.
🛠 Prevention Tips:
- Improve track maintenance — keep surfaces smooth, drain water, and avoid loose rocks.
- Avoid sharp turns in laneways; use gradual bends instead.
- Slow herd movement — let cows walk at their own pace.
- Use rubber hoof blocks on the sound claw to offload pressure when treating.
2. Sole Ulcers
Where: Usually on the inside claw of rear feet
When: Often after calving or during wet/muddy conditions
Cause:
Pressure on the digital cushion (fat pad) leads to compromised blood flow and horn growth. Standing for too long, poor cow comfort, or over-trimming can make it worse.
🛠 Prevention Tips:
- Provide comfortable lying surfaces — deep bedding or soft mats.
- Trim hooves preventatively at least twice per lactation.
- Ensure balanced diets to avoid sudden loss of body condition.
3. Digital Dermatitis (DD/Mortellaro’s Disease)
Where: Heel area, especially rear feet
When: Wet conditions, high stocking density
Cause:
Highly contagious bacterial infection that thrives in wet, dirty environments. Once in a herd, it spreads rapidly.
🛠 Prevention Tips:
- Use footbaths regularly (e.g. copper sulphate or formalin at correct concentrations).
- Spot-treat active lesions with antibiotic sprays and wraps.
- Keep yards and laneways as dry and clean as possible.
- Promote biosecurity — don’t share hoof trimming tools between farms without disinfecting.
4. Toe Ulcers / Toe Necrosis
Where: Tip of the toe, often front feet
When: Often related to over-trimming or hard walking surfaces
Cause:
Over-trimming the toe or long walks on rough/hard ground wears away sole tissue and exposes sensitive inner structures.
🛠 Prevention Tips:
- Ensure correct hoof trimming technique — never take too much toe off.
- Use rubber surfaces in holding yards and sheds if possible.
- Limit walking distances and use shade to reduce standing time in heat.
5. Foot Rot (Interdigital Phlegmon)
Where: Between the claws
When: Often during wet, muddy paddock or laneway conditions
Cause:
Bacterial infection (mainly Fusobacterium) entering through damaged skin, causing sudden, painful swelling.
🛠 Prevention Tips:
- Keep feet dry — improve laneway drainage and avoid over-irrigation in grazing paddocks.
- Promptly treat with antibiotics under vet guidance.
- Use footbaths or topical disinfectants preventatively.
Final Tip: Regular Trimming is Your Best Defence
- Scheduled preventative trimming allows early detection of hoof issues before they become clinical. It also:
- Corrects imbalances in claw loading
- Reduces excess horn that traps moisture and bacteria
- Improves cow mobility and welfare
Want to Learn More?
Visit Hoof it to explore top-quality hoof care tools, claw blocks, and glues — trusted by professional hoof trimmers and farmers across Australia.