Mobility and Locomotion

This course has an emphasis on practical skills around the workings of the cow’s foot in combination with knowledge of the modified dutch foot trimming method into practice. 

Learning outcomes:

• Recognise normal bovine locomotion and relate this to the AHDB Dairy mobility score.

• Recognise lameness and grade severity.

• Understand the basic anatomy of  the bovine foot.

• Know how to retrain a cow and pick up their feet using a crush.

• Understand the five key steps of the Dutch Method and know how to apply these to prevent lameness conditions.

• Trim feet effectively.

• Recognise the main disease leading to lameness.

• Know when and how to apply blocks and medical treatment and when to seek specialist veterinary advice.