As with almost any question, it depends. If dairy cattle are primarily housed on pasture, then the sole can be trimmed to have a more concave surface. As the hoof sinks into the pasture, the weight is still distributed to the outer wall as it cuts into the turf. The sole compresses as the full weight of the animal bears down on that hoof, providing the natural pumping action of the digital cushion.

More dairy cattle in the United States are living entirely on concrete. In this case, a flat sole is more desirable. Ask some old-timers how they trimmed oxen that pulled carts to the market. Flat soles did much better on the hard pack roads. This is the same for dairy cattle in confinement. Every effort should be made to distribute the weight evenly from front to back, side to side, toe to toe, and hoof to hoof. To do this, the sole will be trimmed flat.

It is good to trim out a small portion between the claws. This starts about one-half the way back from the toe and about one-fourth the way in from the heel. Trimming out this area (while leaving the rest of the sole flat) will create a space between the toes and will help keep manure from packing up in between the toes.

If you trim the soles so that they are concave and your cows always walk on concrete, you may actually create more problems. Since the concrete will not allow the outer wall to "cut into the turf" as it can on pasture, the toes will tend to splay outward. Some people mistakenly think this will open up the toes and prevent hoof rot, but it leads to more serious problems. This kind of trimming puts extra pressure laterally on the joints in the hoof. It also stretches the interdigital ligament and can lead to the development of corns.

If your cows are on concrete, then I agree with your veterinarian.

Dick Wallace, Dairy Extension Veterinarian, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

Although a strong argument can be made for having the soles of dairy cows "flat," it is important to make sure that trimming does not produce any undesirable effects. Improper trimming can easily lead to lame cows! Cows should definitely not be more lame immediately after trimming or become lame within one to two weeks after they have been trimmed.

Trimming the feet of dairy cattle is an art that has a science behind it. The "Dutch hoof-trimming method" is an approach to trimming based on research that many professional hoof trimmers and veterinarians recommend, especially for dairy cows. The toes should not be left too long, nor should they be trimmed too short. The soles and heels should not be trimmed too thin since this can lead to bruising and further damage. Finally, the edges of the hoof wall should not be "rounded over" since this removes the hardest and toughest weight-bearing tissue that a cow has on her foot.

Consult your veterinarian or a professional hoof trimmer for more information or assistance with proper trimming. Information on hoof health and lameness in dairy cattle is available on the Veterinary Science Extension Web site at Penn State University: http://vetextension.psu.edu/.

The Hoof Trimmers Association also has a Web site with information: http://www.hooftrimmers.org/.

Ernest Hovingh, Extension Veterinarian, Penn State University