Special Issue:

Advancements in Animal Health and Production in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Management Practices to Reduce Lameness in Dairy Herds

Zaid Khalid Alani1*, Hussein Basim Furaijl2, Hussain Mohammed Gatti3, Mustafa Moaied Rabeaa4, Atheer S. Alsabah5, Heba A. Abd-Alsalam Alsalame6, Reem Mohsin Khalaf7

1College of Pharmacy, Al-Turath University, Baghdad, Iraq; 2College of Pharmacy, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq; 3 Department of Optics Technologies, College of Health and Medical Technology, Sawa University, Al-Muthana, Iraq; 4Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq; 5 College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Al-Bayan University, Iraq; 6College of Education for Pure Science, Kerbala University, Karbala, Iraq; 6Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq; 7Mazaya University College, Iraq.

Received | June 16, 2025; Accepted | August 06, 2025; Published | August 12, 2025

*Correspondence | Zaid Khalid Alani, College of Pharmacy, Al-Turath University, Baghdad, Iraq; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Alani ZK, Furaijl HB, Gatti HM, Rabeaa MM, Alsabah AS, Alsalame HAA-A, Khalaf RM (2025). Management practices to reduce lameness in dairy herds. J. Anim. Health Prod. 13(s1): 98-104.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2025/13.s1.98.104

ISSN (Online) | 2308-2801

Copyright: 2025 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

INTRODUCTION

Lameness is a significant welfare and economic issue in global dairy farming systems today (Bell and Randall, 2021). It is described as abnormal gait or locomotion dysfunction in cows and is usually caused by painful lameness disorders of the hooves, joints, or legs (Best et al., 2021). Lameness can significantly reduce milk yield, reproductive efficiency, and the overall longevity of dairy livestock (Bran et al., 2018). Additionally, lameness is detrimental to animal welfare, causing significant pain, distress, and restricted movement, which ultimately affects feed intake and social behaviour within herds (Bran et al., 2018). Examinations have confirmed that lameness occurs in dairy herds at a rate of 20% to 30%, resulting in significant veterinary costs, production losses, and culling (Browne et al., 2022). Despite being widespread, lameness may not be detected in its early stages or may get underreported; thus, forward management plans become vital (Costa et al., 2018).

The etiology of lameness in dairy cows is multifactorial, involving factors such as nutritional deficiencies, poor housing, inadequate hoof care, infectious diseases, and mechanical trauma (Denis-Robichaud et al., 2019). Prevalent diseases such as digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease are associated with management and environmental conditions (Dutton-Regester et al., 2020). Thus, best management practices should aim to combine prevention and treatment, focusing on promoting optimal animal health, minimizing stress factors, and providing suitable living conditions (Dutton-Regester et al., 2019). Providing comfortable conditions through properly planned housing, hygiene, nutrition, regular hoof trimming, and early detection is essential to reduce lameness prevalence (Garvey, 2022).

Additionally, part of this preventive management involves regular monitoring and routine locomotion scoring to identify early lameness indicators before they become more serious issues (Griffiths et al., 2018). Prevention of infectious and non-infectious lameness disorders requires foot bathing procedures, quality bedding and proper floor surfaces (Hund et al., 2019). Furthermore, educating farm staff on the risks associated with early warning signs and the importance of immediate response with curative methods is vital. In the longer term, healthier feet and legs can be achieved through the genetic selection of healthier individuals, combined with timely veterinary interventions. Lameness has been detected more frequently in recent years due to technological advancements in dairy farming, such as automated locomotion monitoring systems and pressure-sensitive mats (Jensen et al., 2022). These tools work in conjunction with data-driven herd management, leading to proactive action and informed decision-making. While these developments have taken place, the basis of lameness reduction still involves simple science-based management routines which are routinely practiced. Prevention, early detection, treatment, and long-term herd health improvement are the primary topics of this chapter, which discusses various management approaches for reducing lameness in dairy herds.

The housing and care of the living environment of the cow are also very important factors in limiting lameness (Mason et al., 2024). Poor ventilation, overstocked stalls, rough floors, or inadequate drainage may lead to hoof injury and predispose to infection. Hoof health and general comfort are crucial, and this is achieved by providing cows with clean, dry, and well-bedded lying areas. Thus, it is frequently suggested that rubberized floor coverings or grooved concrete surfaces be used to enhance traction and minimize slipping injuries. Additionally, cow passageways and feeding lots should be designed in a way that allows cows to move comfortably without prolonged periods of standing on hard surfaces. Excessive standing is minimized by limiting it, especially on wet or rough floors, which reduces stress on hooves and joints. A decent environment and correct herd management can significantly reduce lameness and also provide good well-being in the animals, as well as increased productivity.

Nutrition is also crucial in preventing lameness in dairy cows (Moreira et al., 2019). Good feeding regimes that provide proper vitamins and minerals, particularly biotin, zinc, and copper, are essential for preserving hoof strength and integrity. Secondly, managing body condition scores (BCS) to prevent weight loss or obesity also minimizes pressure on joints and hooves. High concentrate feeding and acute dietary change have the potential to cause sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA), which is known to cause laminitis and associated hoof issues. Thus, developing diets that are conducive to digestive health, as well as gradually habituating cows to feed changes, can minimize metabolic derangements that predispose the animal to lameness (Robics et al., 2023). By combining nutritional management with other controls, dairy farmers can create an overall plan that supports healthier, more productive cows with reduced lameness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current research was conducted to investigate management strategies for mitigating lameness in dairy herds, particularly on small and medium-sized farms (Oehm et al., 2019). Because this is a targeted research paper, a small but well-chosen sample size of 30 dairy cows was incorporated into the study (Ramanoon et al., 2018). The cows were selected from three different dairy farms to facilitate comparative analysis. The inclusion criteria for these farms were the willingness of the farm owner to participate, having complete farm records, and the presence of pre-existing lameness-related issues or concerns. This emphasis on a smaller sample size enabled more detailed and intensive observations, which helped in identifying farm-specific management practices and their consequences.

Study area

The study was conducted within a controlled geographical region to minimize environmental variability and ensure consistent conditions for analysis (Ranjbar et al., 2020). All three farms involved in the study were under semi-intensive dairy management systems. Cows were housed in covered sheds to shield them from harsh weather conditions and were accommodated in individual stalls, with exceptional care taken to ensure their feeding and resting comfort. The consistency in environmental conditions throughout the farms allowed for differences in lameness prevalence to be more accurately explained by differences in farm management, rather than by environmental conditions. This made the findings more credible and specific.

Data collection

Data collection for the study was conducted using a combination of direct observational methods, structured farmer interviews, and examination of existing farm records (Robcis et al., 2023). Observations involved daily monitoring of all cows for signs of lameness and discomfort, as well as thorough inspections of housing, floors, bedding, hygiene, and feed systems. A locomotion scoring method was used to measure every cow’s gait on a scale from 1 (normal walking) to 5 (severely lame), thereby facilitating an objective and quantitative measurement of lameness level. Systematic interviews with farm owners provided further information on farm routines, levels of awareness about lameness, and normal response times for (Sadiq et al., 2020). Finally, farm records were examined to confirm hoof care routines, footbath use, and past occurrences of lameness, making it possible to obtain complete and triangulated sets of data that reflected both present states and past practices.

Lameness prevalence calculation

The prevalence of lameness in each farm was determined by counting the number of lame cows and applying the following formula:

Management practices assessment

In this research, management practices were comprehensively assessed to ascertain their contribution to the prevalence of lameness in dairy farms. The evaluation encompassed multiple key aspects, including hoof trimming frequency, the frequency and regularity of footbath application, floor conditions, the quality of bedding, and overall nutritional (Sadiq et al., 2020). The frequency of hoof trimming was analyzed to assess whether farms adhered to routine schedules or trimmed hooves only reactively (Sadiq et al., 2021). Footbath habits were measured in terms of frequency, disinfectant use, and upkeep, as well-maintained and frequently used footbaths are crucial in preventing hoof diseases. Floor upkeep was closely monitored to determine if rough or worn-out surfaces were contributing to hoof injuries and pain. Bedding quality was assessed for cleanliness, comfort, and replacement frequency, as dirty or hard bedding materials can exacerbate lameness. Moreover, cow nutritional management was evaluated to ensure adequate mineral and biotin supplementation for hoof health (Ramanoon et al., 2018). The awareness of the farmers was also considered a significant factor; therefore, we conducted interviews to measure their knowledge of harm from lameness, prevention measures, response rates, and treatment effectiveness. Thus, these factors provided a total picture of the role of daily management in the occurrence of lameness in dairy herds.

Statistical analysis

Since the sample size was limited to 30 cows, descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data. To ensure a more straightforward and easier interpretation of the outcomes, frequencies, percentages, and means were reported in order of clarity and simplicity (Alani and Kawan, 2024; Sadiq et al., 2019). These statistics compared the management of all three farms directly with the prevalence of lameness on each of them. Tables were employed to summarise important information regarding prevalence rates, management practices, housing standards, and feeding habits. Graphs and visual charts supplemented tables to provide an unambiguous and instantaneous sense of trends and differences between the farms. Due to the small and concentrated sample, sophisticated inferential statistics were not employed; instead, descriptive analysis enabled the study to discern significant patterns and emphasize management aspects that required improvement. This method ensured that the results could directly inform practical advice for minimizing lameness in small to medium-sized dairy farms.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The research was conducted on 30 dairy cows across three different farms to investigate the association between farm management methods and lameness incidence. Below are the results, presented under specific subheadings, supported by tables, captions, and interpretation paragraphs (Salfer et al., 2018).

Lameness prevalence across farms

Table 1 reports the prevalence of lameness experienced in the three chosen dairy farms, indicating the ratio of lame cows to the overall number of cows seen at each farm (Shahinfar et al., 2021). Table 1 presents a simple comparison of the role of management strategies in influencing lameness prevalence across farms with varying levels of care and prevention practices.

The information presented in Table 1 reveals variation in the prevalence of lameness across the three farms. Farm B recorded the lowest prevalence of lameness at 20%, indicating effective management practices and prompt interventions to manage hoof-related problems. Farm A had a moderate rate of 30%, which indicates scope for improvement in management practices, although not as severe as the highest rate (Tunstall et al., 2021). Farm C had the highest prevalence of lameness at 40%, indicating poor management, delayed hoof care, and a lack of preventive procedures. The overall prevalence of 30% across all farms underscores that lameness is a significant issue that requires addressing. This explanation highlights the direct relationship between quality management and animal health, where active care leads to reduced lameness, while infrequent or late interventions result in increased occurrences of lameness.

 

Table 1: Lameness prevalence in different farms.

Farm	Total cows observed	Lame cows	Lameness prevalence (%)
Farm A	10	3	30
Farm B	10	2	20
Farm C	10	4	40
Overall	30	9	30

 

 

Hoof care and footbath practices

Table 2 presents a comparative summary of hoof care and footbath practices applied on the three dairy farms. It is the frequency of hoof trimming, use of footbaths, disinfectants, and the type of hoof inspection routines, which are all key determinants of the occurrence and prevention of lameness among dairy herds. The Table 2 is intended to illustrate how regular and preventive management practices lead to a lower prevalence of lameness.

Farm B demonstrated active management, characterized by trimming every quarter and regular foot baths, which corresponded to reduced rates of lameness. The occasional and reactive approach in Farm C also aligns with the increased prevalence of lameness, underscoring the need for regular hoof maintenance.

 

Table 2: Hoof care and footbath practices among farms.

Practice	Farm A	Farm B	Farm C
Hoof trimming frequency	Twice yearly	Quarterly	Once yearly
Footbath usage	Once per week	Twice per week	Once every two weeks
Use of disinfectant in the footbath	Irregular	Regular	Occasional
Hoof inspection routine	Reactive (when lame)	Preventive (scheduled)	Irregular and delayed

 

Housing and flooring conditions

Table 3 provides a detailed comparison of housing and floor conditions among the three dairy farms studied. It highlights the most important points, such as flooring type, standard of cleanliness, material, frequency of bedding, and the comfort level of the stalls. All these factors are important in preventing or causing lameness in dairy cows, as they impact hoof health and comfort daily.

 

Table 3: Housing and flooring conditions in each farm.

Aspect	Farm A	Farm B	Farm C
Flooring type	Rough concrete	Rubber flooring	Worn concrete
Cleanliness	Moderate	Good	Poor
Bedding type	Straw (changed weekly)	Sand (changed twice weekly)	Straw (changed bi-weekly)
Stall comfort level	Average	High	Low

 

Farm B’s investment in rubber flooring, frequent changes in bedding, and high stall comfort were factors that contributed to its lower prevalence of lameness. Compared to that, worn floors and minimal bedding replacement at Farm C put the animals in conditions likely to exacerbate hoof injuries and discomfort.

Nutritional and veterinary management

Table 4 details the nutritional and veterinary management practices noted in the three dairy farms. It captures some of the important parameters such as the quality of nutrition for cows, body condition monitoring frequency, veterinary response time upon the onset of lameness symptoms, and frequency of preventive health checks (van Huyssteen et al., 2020). These aspects of management are crucial in maintaining general animal health and play a significant role in minimizing lameness prevalence through early detection and prompt intervention.

 

Table 4: Nutrition and veterinary management practices.

Parameter	Farm A	Farm B	Farm C
Nutritional quality	Balanced with minerals	Balanced with biotin and minerals	Moderate, lacking biotin
Body condition monitoring	Occasional	Regular	Irregular
Veterinary response time	4 days after detection	1–2 days after detection	6 days after detection
Frequency of preventive health checks	Twice yearly	Quarterly	Annually

 

The balance between the lowest lameness prevalence and the best farming and veterinary care was achieved in Farm B. The Major reason for the higher prevalence in Farm C was slower response times and low nutritional value, which explains the need for preventative health checks as well as supplemented diets.

The study results show that farm management practices (such as hoof care, quality of housing, feeding and veterinary management) directly affect the lameness prevalence on dairy. However, at Farm B, where preventive attention and housing comfort were continuously managed, lameness was reduced, and thus the management was proactive. In contrast, at Farm C, where there was no preventive attention and inadequate housing comfort, lameness increased, indicating ineffective management.

This is consistent with existing literature, which indicates that early identification, good nutrition and prompt veterinary care are key to lameness control (Wilson et al., 2022). Despite the small sample size, large-scale application is not feasible for generalization. However, the targeted observations in the study provide valuable guidelines for small and medium-sized dairy farms to improve animal welfare and health.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The study, in summary, clearly demonstrates that efficient management practices are a key factor in alleviating lameness in dairy herds. In Farm B, routine hoof trimming, frequent foot baths, sanitary and comfortable housing space, a well-balanced diet that includes minerals and biotin, as well as on-time veterinary treatment, were all related to a lower prevalence of lameness (Wynands et al., 2021). In Farm C, poor hygiene, worn floors, inadequate hoof care, and delayed treatment contributed to increased lameness. The results are independent of the small sample, as they demonstrate that even small-scale dairy farms can make a significant contribution to the health and productivity of the herd through active management. Early veterinary care, a clean housing environment, regular inspections, and preventive practices for farmers can be implemented to prevent lameness, improve animal welfare, and maximize the efficiency of the dairy farm.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to thank Al-Bayan University, as well as the field technicians who helped with the study.

NOVELTY STATEMENT

In both analyses, this study demonstrates the unique impact of farm-specific management practices on lameness prevalence on small to medium-sized dairy farms within a controlled geographical region. The research establishes a well-defined link between proactive management, including regular hoof trimming, prompt foot bathing, proper nutrition supplemented with biotin, and veterinary interventions as soon as possible, with a reduction in lameness prevalence through direct observation, structured interviews, and record analysis. To make actionable recommendations for small-scale farmers, the farm supply targeted analysis provides new, practical insights into improving animal welfare and productivity in a semi-intensive dairy system.

AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTION

All of the trials were designed by Zaid Khalid Alani and Hussein Basim Furaijl. Hussain Mohammed Gatti, Saja Tawfeeq Jassim and Atheer S. Alsabah conducted all of the tests, gathered the data, and composed the manuscript draft. Heba A. Abd-Alsalam Alsalame and Reem Mohsin Khalaf helped with the data analysis that was done to prepare the work for submission to the journal. The final draft of the work was reviewed and approved by all authors for publication in the Journal of Animal and Health Production.

Ethical consideration

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors state that there is not conflict of notice.

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