Editing Hoof (section)

==Management==
[[File:Naal on bull hooves 1.jpg| An [[ox#Shoeing|oxshoe]] is being nailed on the hooves of a bull used for [[working animal#Roles and specializations|draft]] at [[Chinawal]], India, to prevent them from wearing out too much.|thumb]]
Hooves grow continuously. In nature, wild animals are capable of wearing down the hoof as it continuously grows, but captive domesticated species often must undergo specific hoof care for a healthy, functional hoof. Proper care improves biomechanical efficiency and prevents lameness.<ref name=":5"/> If not worn down enough by use, such as in the dairy industry, hooves may need to be trimmed. However, too much wear can result in damage of the hooves, and for this reason, [[horseshoe]]s and [[ox#Shoeing|oxshoe]]s are used by animals that routinely walk on hard surfaces and carry heavy weight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wideopenpets.com/why-do-only-some-horses-wear-shoes/amp/|title=Why Do Only Some Horses Wear Shoes?|website=wideopenpets.com|date=2016-04-21}}</ref>

=== Horses ===
Within the equine world, the expression, "no foot, no horse" emphasizes the importance of hoof health.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aoki |first=Yasuhiro |year=2006 |title=Changes in walking parameters of milking cows after hoof trimming&#124;(Aoki, Y. et al., 2006). |quote=Lameness, behind infertility and mastitis, is the biggest cause of economic loss to a dairy farmer (Weaver, A., 2006). Many farmers and veterinarians have used a phase that distinguished that if the animal has bad hooves then it is of no use, the most common version of this phrase is used with equines, "No hoof no horse."|journal=Animal Science Journal|volume=77|pages=103–109|doi=10.1111/j.1740-0929.2006.00326.x}}</ref> Hoof care is important in the [[equine industry]].<ref name=":5" /> Problems that can arise with poor [[horse hoof]] care include hoof cracks, thrush, abscesses and [[laminitis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/health/common-hoof-problems/|title=Common hoof problems : Horse : University of Minnesota Extension|website=www.extension.umn.edu|access-date=2016-11-30|archive-date=2016-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201015349/http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/health/common-hoof-problems/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cattle===
[[File:Klauenpflege Kuh 9783.jpg|thumb|right|Trimming the hoof of a cow with an [[angle grinder]]]]
A '''cow hoof''' is cloven, or divided, into two approximately equal parts, usually called claws.<ref name=shea>{{cite book|last=Shearer|first=Jan K.|title=Manual of foot care in cattle|year=2005|publisher=Hoard's Dairyman Books|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvFeo6pFnXUC|author2=Sarel Rens Van Amstel |author3=Adrian Gonzalez |isbn=9780932147424}}</ref> Approximately 95% of lameness in dairy cattle occurs in the feet.<ref name=shea /> Lameness in dairy cows can reduce [[milk]] production and fertility, and cause reproductive problems and suffering. For dairy farm profitability, lameness, behind only infertility and [[mastitis]], is the third most important cow health issue.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Weaver|first=A. D.|date=1985-01-01|title=Lameness in cattle—Investigational and diagnostic check lists|journal=British Veterinary Journal|volume=141|issue=1|pages=27–33|doi=10.1016/0007-1935(85)90123-X|pmid=3995246}}</ref>

Hoof trimmers trim and care for bovine hooves, usually [[Dairy cattle|dairy cows]]. Hooves can be trimmed with a sharp knife while the cow is restrained and positioned with ropes. Professional hoof trimmers tend to use [[angle grinder]]s and some type of [[Cattle crush#Hoof trimming crush|hoof trimming crush]] to make the process quicker and less physically demanding on the hoof trimmer. A hoof trimmer using modern machinery may trim the hooves of more than 10,000 cows per year.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dolecheck |first1=K.A. |last2=Dwyer |first2=R.M. |last3=Overton |first3=M.W. |last4=Bewley |first4=J.M. |title=A survey of United States dairy hoof care professionals on costs associated with treatment of foot disorders |journal=Journal of Dairy Science |date=September 2018 |volume=101 |issue=9 |pages=8313–8326 |doi=10.3168/jds.2018-14718 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030218306283 |access-date=29 May 2024|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HOOF TRIMMING CHUTE ANKA PRO 2.0 (380V) |url=https://cowcare.eu/product/hoof-trimming-chute-anka-pro-2-0-380v/ |website=CowCare |access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> The trimmer shapes the hooves to provide the optimal weight-bearing surface. A freshly trimmed hoof may be treated with [[Copper(II) sulfate|copper sulfate pentahydrate]] to prevent [[foot rot]].