Code of Working Practice for Cattle Claw Trimming

Endorsed by NACFT and BCVA

 1.      General Principles:  

·         Professional hoof trimmers should be members of the National Association of Cattle Foot Trimmers (NACFT), and declare their qualifications.
·         The NPTC  Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Cattle Foot Trimming qualification should be recognised as the standard UK qualification in cattle foot trimming which professional hoof trimmers should, as a minimum, have attained.
·         Hoof trimmers without a Diploma or NPTC Certificate should undertake study and qualification within one year of registering with the NACFT and before being recognised as professional.
·         Vets should recognise the role and expertise of professional hoof trimmers and encourage farmers to use NACFT members.
·         Professional hoof trimmers should recognise the role and expertise of Vets.
·         Vets and professional hoof trimmers should work in conjunction with each other to reduce lameness on farms and improve cattle welfare.

 2.      Recording observations/ sharing information:

         Hoof trimmers should record their findings during the routine trimming of cow’s feet. As a minimum, the following conditions should be recognised and recorded:
Foul
Digital Dermatitis
Sole Ulcer
White Line Separation or Abscessation

 In addition, it may be helpful to record further details, such as if a particular farm has a high incidence of solar bruising or slurry heel (heel horn erosion), for example.   There is no set format in which these observations must be recorded but they must be in a form that can be made readily available to any relevant veterinary surgeon.  Vets should similarly allow foot trimmers access to their findings in relation to lameness on a particular farm, should this be requested.

 The observation of causes of lameness made by a professional hoof trimmer made during their professional business are, for the sake of this document, not considered to be an act of veterinary diagnosis and so does not contravene the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.

 3.      Corrective foot-trimming techniques  

·         The principles of corrective trimming are well defined in the “Dutch Method” of bovine claw trimming and are examined in the NPTC Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Cattle Foot Trimming.

·         It should be recognised that a professional NACFT registered hoof trimmer can correctively trim lame cows’ feet which have lesions, as well as routinely trim overgrown claws.

·         The use of foot blocks on the contra-lateral claw is an integral part of reducing weight bearing by an affected claw. Foot trimmers and vets should encourage their use where necessary.  The application of a block should, however, be recognised as conferring an ongoing responsibility for the care of that cows foot. 

4.      Applying treatment to infections:  

·         A professional hoof trimmer would reasonably be expected to treat cases of digital dermatitis that they encounter by trimming the foot, cleaning the lesion and the application of a suitable topical antibiotic provided by the farmer, that has been prescribed by the farmers’ vet as set down in that farms approved veterinary herd health plan.

·         A professional hoof trimmer would be expected to recognise a case of simple foul. The hoof trimmer should notify the farmer so that he/she can treat the infection using suitable antibiotics prescribed for that purpose by the farmers’ vet as set down in that farms veterinary herd health plan.

·         If there is any doubt about the nature of the infection, the hoof trimmer must always advise the farmer to seek advice from his/her own vet.

·         A hoof trimmer must never advise on the use of, carry, supply or administer antibiotics.

5.      Knowing when to call in the vet:  

·         The 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act is designed to safeguard the welfare of animals by limiting the procedures that can be performed by persons other than qualified Veterinary Surgeons. Corrective foot trimming of lame cows does not constitute an act of veterinary surgery, but professional hoof trimmers may at times find themselves under pressure to undertake procedures that should only be performed by a vet. It is important that the foot trimmer recognises where limits should be drawn and when veterinary involvement and treatment is required. Examples include:

Lameness not involving the foot

Infections other than digital dermatitis or simple foul

Any procedure requiring anaesthetic

Removal of interdigital growths

Infection extending into the pedal joint, or the performance of any procedure involving the joint

6.      Miscellaneous:

·         The use of bandages by hoof trimmers may be appropriate in some circumstances. However, their routine use should not be necessary, and excessive use would imply that the hoof trimmer is using methods other than those approved by the NACFT and assessed as part of the NPTC Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Cattle Foot Trimming.  When a bandage is applied it should be recognised as conferring an ongoing responsibility for the care of that cow’s foot. 

·         The use of rotary rasps for foot trimming is commonplace amongst professional hoof trimmers. Their use should be limited to trimmers who have received training and been assessed in the Dutch method and have gained significant experience in trimming cows feet without the use of power tools. Rasps should be of the bladed variety, designed specifically for the task of trimming cow’s feet, rather than abrasive, which tend to produce excess heat that can be dangerous to the foot. Anyone using power tools whilst trimming cows feet should be aware of the severe injuries to the cow and/or operator that can result from the incorrect use of a rotary rasp or grinder.