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A Strong Start: Why Heifer Hoof Care Matters
Martin, our dairy client in Alberta, had a problem—his fresh heifers struggled in the free stalls. Some hesitated to stand, while others showed hoof overgrowth before even entering the milking herd. Lameness wasn’t starting in lactation—it was beginning much earlier. Without proper hoof care, these small problems could limit mobility, reduce feed intake, and hurt long-term herd performance.
Before sharing the details about Martin’s heifer challenge, we have good news! Many of these problems can be prevented. A proactive hoof care strategy—one that includes early detection, proper nutrition, scheduled hoof trimming, and a well-maintained environment—can make all the difference. Heifers that start strong will not only have a smoother transition into the milking herd but will also produce more, stay healthier, and last longer.
In this article, you’ll find the lameness costs, common hoof problems and essential steps to ensuring heifer hoof health and helping you build a herd that will stand strong—literally and figuratively—for years to come.
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The Cost of Overlooking Heifer Hoof Health
We’ve seen it happen time and time again. A well-raised heifer, full of promise, enters her first lactation—and then, things start to fall apart. She struggles to move, her production dips, and before long, she’s on the cull list. The saddest part? Many of these cases were preventable.
Dairy farmers invest significant time, effort, and money into raising young stock. The average cost in 2023 for raising a heifer is (in Canadian dollars) around $3,000, and if she crashes due to lameness, replacing her with one from your neighbour can easily add another $4,000 to the expense. That’s a $7,000 setback, and there’s no guarantee the new replacement will adapt well to your farm’s setup. The financial impact is substantial, but the real loss is in the untapped potential of that heifer—a cow that could have thrived with the right care.
Heifer health is the foundation of a strong, productive herd. By prioritizing hoof care early, we can prevent chronic issues, reduce costly losses, and give each animal the best chance to perform well. A proactive strategy isn’t just about avoiding problems; it’s about setting the entire herd on a path to long-term success.
Common Hoof Conditions in Heifers: Understanding the Differences
Two of the most prevalent hoof issues in heifers are overgrown toes and Digital Dermatitis (DD)—but they are fundamentally different problems requiring distinct approaches.
- Overgrown Toes & Corkscrew Claws: These are structural deformities that affect weight distribution, often caused by genetics, poor trimming schedules, or environmental factors. These non-infectious conditions fall under horn issues, where the hoof grows abnormally, leading to imbalances and discomfort.
- Digital Dermatitis: Unlike overgrowth, this is an infectious hoof disease caused by bacteria that invade the skin around the hoof, leading to painful lesions and lameness. If left untreated, it spreads quickly, affecting mobility, feed intake, and overall herd health. Across different regions, DD is known by many names, including Hairy Warts, Mortellaro, Hairy Heel, Strawberry Foot, and Fungus. In this article, we use the name Digital Dermatitis to stay as close as possible to the official terminology for clarity and consistency.
It is essential to recognize the difference between horn-related and infectious hoof problems, as they require separate treatment and prevention strategies. Early intervention ensures that heifers stay sound, grow efficiently, and transition smoothly into the milking herd.
Long Toes in Heifers: Causes and Prevention
Long toes are a common hoof issue in heifers. They occur when the hoof grows excessively due to factors such as genetics, poor trimming schedules, or soft flooring that doesn’t naturally wear down the hoof. Some heifers are genetically prone to faster hoof growth, while others develop long toes due to environmental influences like flooring, bedding, and nutrition.
Regardless of the cause, neglecting long toes affects weight distribution, making movement difficult and placing extra stress on joints and tendons. Over time, this can lead to serious hoof issues when the animal enters the milking herd. To prevent this, routine hoof trimming, firm and dry flooring, comfortable bedding, and proper feed management are essential. Providing ample feed space and high-quality nutrition supports proper hoof development, keeping heifers sound and ready for a productive future.
Corkscrew Claws in Dairy Heifers: Causes and Prevention
Corkscrew claw is a common hoof deformity in dairy heifers, where the hoof twists inward, leading to uneven weight distribution and abnormal wear. If left unaddressed, this condition can cause lameness. While genetics play a significant role, other factors—such as improper nutrition and excessive time on hard surfaces—can worsen the issue. Heifers competing for feed may also put extra strain on their (front) hooves, increasing the risk of deformities.
Since corkscrew claw is considered a heritable trait, affected animals should not be used for breeding. Prevention starts with selective breeding, routine hoof trimming, and proper housing to reduce hoof stress. Addressing corkscrew claw early improves overall herd health and long-term dairy productivity.
Digital Dermatitis in Dairy Heifers: Early Prevention is Key
Digital Dermatitis (DD) is a painful and infectious hoof disease that can impact heifers long before they enter the milking herd. Caused by bacteria such as Treponema species, it appears as raw, red lesions, usually above the heel bulbs. While also associated with mature cows, young heifers are highly vulnerable, especially in wet, dirty environments where bacteria thrive.
Early prevention and treatment are critical to stopping DD before it becomes chronic. Regular hoof inspections, clean and dry bedding, and topical treatments like Hoof-fit Gel can effectively heal early lesions and prevent further spread.
Treating Digital Dermatitis in Dairy Heifers: A Proven Protocol
Heifers require a structured treatment and prevention approach to stop Digital Dermatitis infections early and prevent chronic cases. A reactive-only approach is not enough—early intervention and a herd-wide prevention protocol are key to long-term success.
In our article “How to Best Treat Strawberry Foot in Cattle”, we cover effective treatment methods for Digital Dermatitis. If you need guidance on scoring lesions, check out our post “What Is the Proven Treatment for Digital Dermatitis” for a detailed breakdown of the scoring system and treatment approach.
Follow-Up and Adjustments
Just like mastitis management, ongoing monitoring is essential. Check for progress, evaluate healing, and refine the protocol based on results. Every farm is different, so establishing a system that works for your herd is key. Our proven approach follows the Intra Protocol, which continues to deliver excellent results. It is an investment—but one that pays off in healthier, more productive heifers.
If you’d like a one-on-one virtual call to discuss your herd’s specific lameness challenges and explore solutions, we offer a Protocol Session to help you develop a customized hoof care plan.
Strategies Comparisons: Individual vs Footbath
When it comes to maintaining hoof health in heifers, different strategies can be used depending on the severity of the problem, the farm setup, and labour availability. The two primary approaches for managing Digital Dermatitis—individual hoof care by wrapping and spraying and footbath systems—each has its advantages and limitations.
Temperature is an additional factor to consider in colder climates. Heifers and young stock are often housed outdoors, where they may experience increased manure buildup in shelters or loafing areas. These conditions can contribute to a higher bacterial load, making regular hoof care and hygiene management even more critical and challenging.
Table: Comparison of Hoof Care Strategies for Heifers
Hoof Trimming Heifers Before Calving: Setting Them Up for Success
As heifers approach their first calving, their bodies undergo significant changes—from increased weight gain to shifts in posture and movement. During this critical stage, hoof health plays a major role in ensuring a smooth transition into lactation. Without proper hoof trimming, overgrown or imbalanced hooves can lead to lameness, discomfort, and reduced feed intake, all of which can impact milk production right from the start.
Regular Hoof Inspections: Preventing Problems Before They Start
Routine pen walks are essential for monitoring heifer hoof health and catching issues early. Watch for signs of lameness, uneven weight distribution, or reluctance to walk. Any heifer showing discomfort should be treated immediately to prevent long-term damage.
If overgrowth or imbalances are detected, early trimming intervention may be needed. As a preventative measure, we recommend trimming or checking all heifers 8 to 12 weeks before calving to correct hoof imbalances and reduce lameness risk. Regular inspections ensure heifers enter lactation strong, stable, and ready for peak performance.
A Real-Life Lesson: Long Toes and Stall Adjustment in Fresh Heifers
Our hoof trimmer, Koos Vis, shared a valuable story we started this blog with. Martin’s fresh heifers always struggled to adjust to the free stalls—they would crawl forward and get stuck at the front. This was a recurring issue, frustrating the farm staff and the heifers trying to settle into their new environment.
During his regular monthly trimming visits, Koos noticed a pattern. The incoming heifers all had long toes, as they weren’t trimmed until about 100 days after freshening. Overgrown hooves made it harder for them to stand up properly in the stalls, creating extra strain on their legs and joints.
After discussing the issue, Martin decided to trim heifers at six weeks before calving. The results were immediate—no more crawling forward, no more getting stuck. Proper hoof balance gave the heifers the leverage they needed to stand up smoothly and adjust to the stalls with ease.
This simple change made a huge difference in cow comfort and transition success. Trimming heifers before calving is a small investment that pays off in better mobility, smoother stall transitions, and healthier hooves for the future.
Questions Around Heifer Hoof Management
(Answered by our hoof trimmer, Koos Vis)
How thick is the sole on a heifer’s hoof?
The sole of a heifer’s hoof is usually 5 to 7 mm thick, which is thinner than a mature cow’s hoof. In dry conditions, the sole often becomes flaky and naturally sheds. In these cases, the sole can be very thin—sometimes only a few millimetres—so trimming that area is a no-go zone. Instead, it’s best only to trim the overgrown hoof wall to keep the hoof balanced while leaving the sole as-is. Over-trimming the hoof leads to lameness.
How critical is the timing of heifer hoof trimming?
The ideal time for routine trimming is 6 to 8 weeks before calving. This allows the hooves to adjust before the added weight of late pregnancy and the demands of lactation. Timing is key when trimming heifers, but it should be based on hoof length and condition. If hooves are at a healthy length, trimming too early before calving may be unnecessary. If deformation or lameness is detected, she should be trimmed or treated immediately—no matter how far along she is in pregnancy. Proper timing helps prevent lameness, improve mobility, and ensure a smoother transition into the milking herd.
