Locomotion score and claw disorders in Norwegian dairy cows, assessed by claw trimmers

This cross-sectional study was part of a large project on free-stall housing. The aim was to assess the use of locomotion score (LocS) performed by 15 professional claw trimmers and the relation to claw disorders at claw trimming, to see if LocS recordings could be used to screen herds for claw problems. The claw trimmers scored locomotion, trimmed and recorded claw disorders in 2569 cows in 61 dairy herds. The relation between LocS and hind-claw disorders was identified by three multivariable models with binomial outcomes; model 1: LocS > 1 vs. LocS = 1, model 2: LocS > 2 vs. ≤ 2 and model 3: LocS > 3 vs. ≤ 3. Input variables were different claw disorders, type of alley floor, days in milk and parity. Significant claw disorders from separate models were put into the same model. Herd and claw trimmer were included in the model as random effects. The results were as follows: there were more heel-horn erosions in cows with LocS > 1 vs. cows with LocS = 1 with OR = 1.6 (1.4/1.9) and in cows with LocS > 2 vs. cows with LocS ≤ 2 with OR = 1.6 (1.2/2.2). There were more sole ulcers in cows with LocS > 1 vs. cows with LocS = 1 with OR = 1.8 (0.9/3.4), in cows with LocS > 2 vs. cows with LocS ≤ 2 with OR = 3.3 (1.8/5.9) and LocS > 3 vs. LocS ≤ 3 with OR = 3.1 (1.5/6.3). There were more separations (white line fissure and/or double sole in cows with LocS > 1 vs. cows with LocS = 1 with OR = 1.7 1.4/2.2), in cows with LocS > 2 vs. cows with LocS ≤ 2 with OR = 2.1 (1.3/3.4) and LocS > 3 vs. LocS ≤ 3 with OR = 3.1 (1.8/5.2). There were more corkscrewed claws in cows with LocS > 2 vs. cows with LocS ≤ 2 with OR = 1.8 (1.0/3.2).