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Hoof - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 14:26, 4 August 2008
, 14:26, 4 August 2008→Ruminant and Porcine Hoof
===Ruminant and Porcine Hoof===
===Ruminant and Porcine Hoof===
Although the hooves of these species resemble the equine hoof, they differ in several ways:
* There are two separate main digits, compared with the single hoof of equids
* The wall is bent to form a dorsal border
* The bulb of the heel covers the entire caudal surface of the hoof and most of the plantar surface, leaving a small area of sole visible
* The interdigitating lamellae are smaller and less well developed.
The hooves of the main digits curve medially towards each other. The lateral digit carries more weight than the medial digit, and is larger. On the abaxial wall, the distal border makes contact with the ground along its entire length, whereas, on the axial wall, only does so toward the toe. The thickness of the wall increases towards the apex and the plantar surface.
The horn of the hoof generally grows at a rate of 5 mm per month, and cattle allowed to move freely, growth should equal wear. In intensively kept cattle, growth exceeds wear, and foot trimming is required to maintain optimal shape and angle. The optimal angle of the toe from the ground is 50 degrees.
Dewclaws are present in most ruminants but do not make contact with the ground. They consist of wall and bulb and have no practical importance.