Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

REAR LEG CONFORMATION

• Sound rear legs are vital to the breeding capacity of bulls.

Sound rear legs are essential because during mounting the entire body weight of bull is balanced only with its hind limbs.

• A bull whose legs are hurt may not find cows in estrus nor mount them successfully, which might result in reduced conception rates.

Bulls with faulty legs cannot locate and mount the dummies during semen collection.

• Bulls should be evaluated for mobility and rear leg soundness prior to being restrained in a chute.
• Interdigital fibromas and foot abscesses can be detected with careful examination.
• Need for trimming feet results from faulty rear conditions.
• Hooves of structurally sound bulls wear evenly under normal conditions.
• Prognosis for structural unsoundness is poor.
• Breeders should be warned that structural faults of the rear legs are heritable.

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Some of the common rear leg problems are

• Too Straight leg
• Sickle hocked leg
• Bow legged condition
• Cow hocked or toed-out condition

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