Peterse (1987) reported that cattle confined on slats adopted a stilted gait. It
call be argued that such a stilted gait in indoor-housed heifers prevented the
decrease ill hock angle which occurred in the outdoor-housed animals, possibly as
a consequence of the ageing process. Hock angles decreased with age in all the
heifers studied. Changes in claw shape may provide additional explanation for the
difference in hock angles found between the two groups of heifers. In another
study (Vermunt, 1990), it was found that, due to little wear, outdoor-housed
heifers developed long hind claws with smaller toe angles and relatively low heels.
Heifers housed indoors on slats maintained a short toe length and steep angle of
the toe. As a consequence, the centre of weight bearing within the claw may have
moved in a more dorsal direction. This agrees with Murphy and Hannan (1986),
who reported that horn abrasion occurred especially at the toe area in cattle on
slats. They concluded that, on housing on slatted floors, claws tilt forward. As a
result, limbs (and hocks) may remain relatively straight.
Peterse (1987) reported that cattle confined on slats adopted a stilted gait. Itcall be argued that such a stilted gait in indoor-housed heifers prevented thedecrease ill hock angle which occurred in the outdoor-housed animals, possibly asa consequence of the ageing process. Hock angles decreased with age in all theheifers studied. Changes in claw shape may provide additional explanation for thedifference in hock angles found between the two groups of heifers. In anotherstudy (Vermunt, 1990), it was found that, due to little wear, outdoor-housedheifers developed long hind claws with smaller toe angles and relatively low heels.Heifers housed indoors on slats maintained a short toe length and steep angle ofthe toe. As a consequence, the centre of weight bearing within the claw may havemoved in a more dorsal direction. This agrees with Murphy and Hannan (1986),who reported that horn abrasion occurred especially at the toe area in cattle onslats. They concluded that, on housing on slatted floors, claws tilt forward. As aresult, limbs (and hocks) may remain relatively straight.
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