Lifting The Bovine Fore Leg

Abstract

One of the challenges faced by the cattle practitioner is lifting the bovine foot for the purposes of examination and treatment. Because the shoulder is not a fixed joint like the pelvic limb, there is a great deal of anterior-posterior movement. Most cattle will drop to their carpus when the fore leg is raised, requiring the operator to place his knee under the axilla to support the animal. This is difficult and dangerous for the operator.