Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Nikolay MARKOV, Tsvetan MARKOV, Miroslav HRISTOV, Tsvetelina DIMITROVA
The study examined two groups of Bulgarian Rhodopean Cattle with differing genotypes, focusing on their hoof horn qualities and analyzing the effects of both internal and external factors on these traits. Employing a blend of visual, metric, anatomical, and topographical techniques, the research measured various aspects of the cows' hooves, including length, width, overall width, height, and the angle of the hooves on both the front and back legs. These measurements were taken during periods when the cows were housed in barns and while grazing in pastures. The study also calculated the hoof's weight-bearing surface in square centimeters and the ratio of the cow's live weight per unit area of this weight-bearing surface. Results indicated that for both genotypes, cows grazing in pastures had a higher weight-bearing area relative to their live weight. The research highlights the importance of cow mobility for their health, productivity, and longevity. A key finding is that the even growth of the hoof horn, which is crucial for the animal's well-being, depends on how the body weight is distributed across the limbs. Additionally, variations in hoof growth throughout different seasons were noted.
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