Cattle often suffer from hoof injuries, which not only cause discomfort and pain to animals, but also affect their productivity. That is why the hoof must be subjected to trimming, and to simplify the procedure it is recommended to use a special machine. In this article we will look at a detailed description of the machine for fixing and processing the hooves of cattle and advice on the construction of the structure at home.
What is needed and how does the machine for fixing cows
The machine, allowing to fix the animal, is necessary in order to facilitate manipulations in the process of processing and trimming the hoof. The design can also be used in situations involving trimming horns, blood sampling, operations on the head, washing the stomach and administering drugs to immobilize the animal for an easier process of performing the necessary manipulations. 
This machine must be in every cattle breeding farm. The design of the machine is the most thoughtful, it takes into account the anatomy of the cow's body, so that an individual inspection is possible with a huge time saving.
Important! Almost all modern models of fixation machines have small dimensions, they are quite compact and can be used in small areas and in small barns.To maintain the machine, one person is enough, and after purchasing the device, the owner does not incur any additional maintenance costs. The design of the device is quite simple, but safe, there are no sharp corners, and thanks to special holders for legs the animal is securely fixed in one place. The simplest machines have several pipes that need to be fixed to the wall and floor. To limit the mobility of the animal, apply chains and movable beams, which are included in the kit.
On the beams there are special clamps that allow you to fix the legs with durable leather straps. The immobilization of the head is a sheet of metal that repeats the shape of the cow's head. Expensive professional machines, in addition to all the above elements also consist of hydraulic actuators and special mechanical devices that are necessary in order to lift the animal on the belts.Some machines have wheels, making the device easy to move around the barn and beyond. In the process of manufacturing the machine used high-strength metal alloys, which are covered with anti-corrosion paints, in order to ensure a long service life of the device.
Did you know? Eating food for a cow is an important process, she eats at least 6 hours a day in total and chews on food for a very long time, therefore, putting the feeder at the required height with the food at the cow's head, the manipulation of trimming the hoofs will be more pleasant.
Do-it-yourself DIY split tips
Since for home use, purchasing a factory fixing machine will be quite expensive, you can do it yourself if you have the skills to work with wood or metal. The split can be made of steel pipes or timber, but the latter option is simpler and will cost much less.
First, consider the tips for building a wooden machine:
- The dimensions of the design should be appropriate to the size of the cow: the machine is 2-3.5 m long in width - 1-1.5 m, in height - 2 m.
- The size of the split should be such that it can be easily approached and perform the necessary procedures. It is also worth taking into account the installation area, so that the design can be easily approached from different sides.
- If the split is installed in the room, you need to take care of additional lighting near the structure.
- It is recommended to install a split in the aisle, at the exit from the barn permanently or for a while fasten with bolts in order to remove and move it to another place if necessary.
- A wooden split is made of solid bars, their size is 1x1 m or 1.5x1.5 m, in the form of a rectangular box with two wickets.
Important! It should be borne in mind that the strength and durability of a wooden structure is much lower than welded metal.
- The front gate should have a notch for the neck and be adjustable in width for a more secure fit. The back gate must be made with a lock in order to restrict movement to other cows in the box.
- Additional fixation of the legs is possible thanks to rope loops or belts that attach to the upper ribs of the split.
- As a clamp, clamps made of metal or wood are used to block the hind legs of the animal.
- Bars are pre-treated so that they are smooth and do not accidentally injure the cow.
- If you plan to place a wooden split on the street, then it is recommended to impregnate it with a special protective layer for wood, which will prevent premature rotting of the structure.
Video: machine for fixing a cow and trimming the hoof in an hour
When making metal constructions, it is recommended to take into account the following tips:
- Metal fixing structures can be made collapsible in order to make it easier to transport, disassemble and assemble the machine in the right place.
- When choosing materials for the construction of structures it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that they are safe in order to avoid injury to animals.
- Metal splits are made of shaped pipes, which are connected in a rectangular box, with dimensions of 1 m in width and 2 m in length.
- Boxing strengthened with a width of several meters of metal straps to make the design more stable and rigid.
- Boxing should have free access from the sides, for this it is recommended to weld panels or grates that can be opened.
- The front and back part of the box must be equipped with wickets, the front wicket is made swing, and the back - with a strong lock.
- Front gate is made with a notch for the neck and the ability to adjust the lock width.
- It is recommended to provide metal eyelets for belts on the sides of the structure so that you can fix the cow's belly for additional immobilization. Thanks to such belts, a cow can be lifted above the ground, if there is such a need.
- Metal box trimmed from roughness and paint, in order to avoid corrosion and extend the life.
How to drive a cow in the machine and cut her hoof
Since the fixing machine is installed at the exit from the barn, it is not necessary to drive the cows into it specifically. Before going out on the street, the cow will independently enter the machine; all you have to do is to fix the head of the animal in the recess for the neck clamp. After the neck is fixed, the back gate closes, so that other cows cannot get into the structure and interfere with the procedure. 
Usually, cows behave calmly in such machines, so without much effort you will fix the necessary hoof that will be pruned. First, cut off the front hooves, after - rear. For the procedure, use a special hoof trimming knife, cutter or cutter, carefully cutting off the old hoof horn from the sole and crumb.
This part is characterized by gray color, it is fragile and fragile, you will not confuse it with the “living” part of the hoof. The young hoofed horn is light, elastic, so the old part is cut off until a white line appears.
Learn how to properly trim cows with hooves and how to identify hoof diseases.
It is necessary to carry out the procedure as carefully as possible in order not to hurt the young site. In this case, it is better to stop earlier, without cleaning the hoof a little, than to injure it. If, nevertheless, it was not possible to avoid injury, the wound is immediately treated with iodine. 
Each subsequent hoof is treated in the same way, having previously fixed it. After all the hooves have been cut, the cow is initially freed from the last leg from the retainer, the front gate is opened, freeing the animal's head from the neck clamp, and the cow quietly goes outside. After that, the back gate opens, and the next animal enters the split for the procedure.
Did you know? The cow is a sacred animal in India, so beef is not eaten there, in addition, it is forbidden to kill cows by law. The killing of a cow entails 7 years of imprisonment, and in the state of Gujarat - a life sentence.Thus, the machine for fixing cows is a very convenient design, which allows you to significantly simplify animal care procedures, save time and monitor the health status of cows in a timely manner, in order to avoid possible problems and further costly treatment.
