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THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OBJECTIVE LAMENESS SCORING SYSTEM FOR DAIRY HERDS: PILOT STUDY
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2002
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Gait AnalysisLameness IndexAgricultural EconomicsDiagnosisLivestock ProductionLivestock HealthMovement AnalysisPilot StudyKinesiologyBiomechanicsBiostatisticsApplied PhysiologyEarly DetectionKinematicsPublic HealthBovine LamenessHealth SciencesAnimal PhysiologyAnimal PerformanceAnimal Health EconomicsAnimal AgricultureAnimal ScienceVeterinary ScienceHuman Movement
Early detection of bovine lameness offers the potential for effective treatment and effectual management of hoofand leg ailments. This technical note examines statistical relationships between visually derived lameness scores andmechanically derived limb movement variables (LMVs) for sound and lame dairy cows. The visually derived lameness scoreswere based on observations of arched backs while cows stood and walked. The mechanically derived LMVs were capturedas cows walked freely over a patentpending forceplate system that generates signatures of ground reaction forces. Astatistical model evaluated a lameness index (LI) using peak ground reaction force (PGRF). The LI allowed the 23 cows tobe classified correctly according to their visually derived lameness scores, with three exceptions. This pilot studydemonstrated that the outputs of our forceplate system can be used to relate lameness scores to measurable LMVs.