Cows' hooves are anatomically designed for walking on soft ground. In most livestock buildings, cows have to walk and, above all, stand on hard floors such as concrete and slatted floors. This leads to changes in horn production, chronic inflammation and healing difficulties. They are often too abrasive, causing excessive wear of the horn, with the risk of having soles that are too thin and therefore more susceptible to ulcers and foot pathologies. Repetitive traumas such as these can lead to foot injuries and joint dysfunction, resulting in lameness. A cow with sore feet and legs will move less to eat and drink, and her production will be reduced. Her health and reproduction will also suffer. In fact, lameness increases the risk of early culling by a factor of 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, with a soft floor, the contact area between the hooves and the ground will be greater. This means better weight distribution and, on average, 40% less pressure. This suppleness can be achieved by adding rubber mats, such as Magellan carpet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Mulling, from the University of Leipzig, has demonstrated that with a soft rug such as Magellan, a larger contact area at hoof level results in better weight distribution, more bearable joint pressure, a more stable position for the animal and a lower risk of foot and joint damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To maximize the benefits of rubber mats, they should be used wherever cows stand for long periods: in front of the feeding table, waiting area, milking parlour or robots. More comfortable floors are also of particular interest to primiparous cows. At the start of lactation, and even more so for the 1e<\/sup> lactation, there is a strong mobilization of body reserves to make up for the energy deficit. Foot pads, a fatty mass inside the hoof that acts as a shock absorber, will diminish. Post-partum cows, especially primiparous ones, are already weakened by the onset of lactation. Taking care of their comfort and the good health of their feet is the key to ensuring that their lactation gets off to the best possible start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With their feet preserved and their joints less fatigued, cows will be in the best of health and will express their dairy potential to the full. <\/p>\n\n\n\n