Biochemical, biomechanical and histological analyses of failure of supportive structures in cattle hooves

Abstract

The most common and intractable condition which leads to lameness in cattle is claw horn disruption (CHD). Although many risk factors have been associated with CHD, such as calving and housing, the mechanisms of tissue damage are unknown. It is proposed here that this chronic condition results from failure of the suspensory apparatus of the hoof, leading to solear ulcers and white line disease. The aim of this study is to develop methodologies which permit quantitative evaluations of the relationships between connective tissue biochemistry and the biomechanical properties of supportive structures of the hoof.