Gait Analysis in Walking and Trotting Dairy Cows on Different Flooring Types with Novel Mobile Pressure Sensors and Inertial Sensors

SIMPLE SUMMARY: To study effects of housing conditions on the claw health of dairy cows, objective gait analysis methods can be useful. In this study, a novel mobile pressure sensor system, attached under the claws of the hind limbs of dairy cows, was used for the first time. Additionally, inertial measurement units (IMUs) in combination with a newly developed automatic step detection algorithm were used. Gait analysis was performed in ten dairy cows, walking and trotting on concrete and rubber mats. The results showed the applicability of the objective gait analysis methods in dairy cows. Analysis of pressure under the claws revealed a significantly higher load in cows moving on concrete compared to rubber mats. The development of objective methods should be used to gain knowledge about factors that impair claw health. Sensor-based research should be applied to improve animal welfare by evaluating the housing environment objectively and better adapt it to the cows’ needs. ABSTRACT: Mechanical overburdening is a major risk factor that provokes non-infectious claw diseases. Moreover, lameness-causing lesions often remain undetected and untreated. Therefore, prevention of claw tissue overburdening is of interest, especially by analyzing harmful effects within dairy cows’ housing environment. However, objective “on-cow” methods for bovine gait analysis are underdeveloped. The purpose of the study was to apply an innovative mobile pressure sensor system attached at the claws to perform pedobarometric gait analysis. A further goal was the supplementation with accelerative data, generated simultaneously by use of two inertial measurement units (IMUs), attached at metatarsal level. IMU data were analyzed with an automatic step detection algorithm. Gait analysis was performed in ten dairy cows, walking and trotting on concrete flooring and rubber mats. In addition to the basic applicability of the sensor systems and with the aid of the automatic step detection algorithm for gait analysis in cows, we were able to determine the impact of the gait and flooring type on kinematic and kinetic parameters. For pressure sensor output, concrete was associated with significantly (p < 0.001) higher maximum and average pressure values and a significantly smaller contact area, compared to rubber mats. In contrast to walking, trotting led to a significantly higher force, especially under the medial claw. Further, IMU-derived parameters were significantly influenced by the gait. The described sensor systems are useful tools for detailed gait analysis in dairy cows. They allow the investigation of factors which may affect claw health negatively.