Hoof trimmer training and safety hazards on California dairies

Abstract

Lameness and hoof lesions are important economic and animal welfare issues on dairies. Preventive and therapeutic trimming is a common management practice on modern dairies. On most California dairies, outside service providers or in-house dairy employees are in charge of hoof trimming tasks. Despite the relevance of hoof trimmer work on cow health, the quality of their work is rarely monitored by managers or veterinarians. The objective of this study was to describe how California hoof trimmers learned their trade and what safety hazards they are facing at work.