Lameness 

There are several used to assess lameness. Here, we provide 2 scoring systems that are commonly used in the dairy industry. You can choose a system that fits your interests and test your repeatability using the associated scoring system. 
Dairy Well: locomotion scoring

Which animals to assess:

  • Score pen of the highest milk producing, oldest cows, or whichever pen represents the bulk of these cows 
  • Score all cows in sick/hospital pens to ensure severely lame cows are receiving treatment and have not become emaciated.

When to assess:

  • Score lactating cows as they exit the parlor
  • Cows kept in tie stall barns will be scored standing in the stalls based on severely lame cow thresholds alone
    • If cows in tie-stalls are released daily, locomotion will be scored after milking when cows are released
  • Score animals in designated lame cow, chronic pen or hospital pens

Goal:

​≤1% should be scored as "severely lame" (score 3).
  • Severely lame cows should be kept separate from the lactating group and be receiving treatment

≤15% of the lactating cows should be scored as "moderately lame" (score 2)
Video by Nigel Cook
Score 1 - Normal
  • Walks without obvious gait asymmetry or weight transfer between limbs 
  • Cannot discern which leg is lame after a few strides
  • Steps may be slightly uneven
  • May have a flat or subtle arch to the back
Video by Nigel Cook
Score 2 - Moderate lameness
  • Asymmetric gait with obvious weight transfer and shortening of the stride of the affected limb altering cadence of movement
  • May also show a head bob, back arch and joint stiffness leading to abduction of the limb
Video by Nigel Cook 
Score 3 - Severe lameness
  • Able to walk only with extreme difficulty, almost unable to bear weight on the affected limb
  • May not keep up with normal cows in the herd
  • May have a pronounced back arch with rear limb lameness​
National Dairy FARM Program: locomotion scoring

Which animals to assess:

  • Lactating cows
  • Dry cows

The number of animals assessed is determined by the sample size calculator using the total number of animals on the farm.

Goal:

95% or more of the animals scored should score a 2 or less.
Video by Nigel Cook
Score 1
  • Sound
  • ​Has normal gait and posture
Video by Nigel Cook
Score 2
  • Moderately lame
  • Stands well but notably favors a limb when walking
Video by Nigel Cook
Score 3
  • Severely lame
  • An animal either unable to move, or able to move, but barely able to bear weight on the affected limb
  • Signs may also include back arch, poor body condition, head bob and an inability to flex the lower leg joints
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