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CONFORMATION
Abnormal
conformation can cause musculoskeletal problems of the limbs, especially the
feet.
1.
excessively straight legs or post-legged cattle - decreased
angulation of the stifle and hock
joints - less shock absorption
by the muscles, tendons, and
ligaments - greater stress of stifle
and hock joints and ultimately the
feet.
2.
sicklehocks - rear feet and forward with increased angulation of
the hocks which shifts weight toward the
rear of each foot
stressing flexor tendons and
weakening the pastern.
3. cow
hocks - shift more weight to the lateral claw of the rear feet
4.
valgus or varus deformities cause abnormal distribution of
weight
Claws - should be sized relative
to the weight and of the animal - claws should diverge only slightly when
bearing weight - the angle of the cranial wall of the hoof to the ground should
be 50-55 degrees in the front feet and 45-50 degrees in the rear feet - the
heels should be high enough to keep the softer heel bulbs from touching the
ground.
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