Morphometrical Studies on the Hooves of Pandharpuri Buffaloes

Abstract

The present research work was carried on the hooves of 18 female Phandhapuri buffaloes of 5-6 years of age, 7-8 years of age and 9-10 years of age. Each group consisted of six animals. The hooves were the covering over the third phalanx of each digit. The colour of hoof of both digits was grayish black in all the age groups. The toe of the hoof was pointed, while the heel was rounded in all the age groups. Each hoof consisted of coronary band, surfaces and borders. The coronary band was soft, flat band, surrounds the coronary border of the hoof. The sole surface was concave, caudally board and continued with heel. The average values for the biometrical measurements showed significant difference between the forelimbs and hind limbs of all the age groups. These values were higher in the forelimbs as compared with those of the hind limbs in all the age groups. It was observed that the hooves of the forelimbs were larger than the hooves of the hind limbs in all the age groups. The average values for the measurements of the hooves of the forelimb and hind limb were low in the age group 5-6 years and significantly higher in the age group 9-10 years. The average values for biometrical parameters were higher in the medial digit of both forelimbs in all the age groups. While the average values for biometrical parameters were higher in the lateral digits of both hind limbs in all the age groups.