SURPRISE!!! The vet will know what to do. However, trimming a goat’s hooves is quite easy and doesn’t have to cost you a penny. The Animalista contributors are animal people from around the world who use their writing talents to produce content that educates, entertains, and raises awareness for animal related topics. Any other tips before I … In fact, we trimmed some of the kids today - the wet ground really gets their toes growing. In terms of ensuring their proper maintenance, another thing you will need to do is to regularly trim their hooves. The goat should walk upright on flat-bottomed feet . Generally, it is recommended that goat hooves be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This position makes you easier in trimming. No fence short of one designed for a federal prison will reliably hold a goat. The best way to hold the goat as you trim hooves is to put the goat in a milkstand and sit next to them. Some people even build low platforms of rock and cement for the goats to … Using your clippers, take off the longest pieces or, if the excess is minimal, simply try to cut it off with your hoof knife. Pick up one hoof and bend it towards the back of the goat, with the bottom facing up. The ideal way to do this is to place the goat on the milking stand and then place the treat in the bucket of the stand to encourage the goat to be happy. Trouble is, without regular hoof trimming, you could end up with a herd of lame goats. In this video we show how to trim the extra growth to keep their feet clean and healthy. Now that you can identify the telltale signs, here are tips on how to trim goat hooves that are overgrown. Alice hasn’t been trimmed in about 6 months, her hooves weren’t too bad. Outdoor Happens is reader-supported. This may take a minute or all day, depending on your goat and your livestock handling routine. A horse-mad redhead with a passion for the outdoors, Nicky lives on a 6ha small-holding on the Wild Coast of South Africa. In terms of ensuring their proper maintenance, another thing you will need to do is to regularly trim their hooves. She loves baling twine (and boxes, oddly enough). Some even suggest using a handheld electric angle grinder! Gather supplies needed to trim goat hooves. If the goat gets out of hand, I smack with open hand, on their belly and say "Quite" With the rear leg, they will yank really hard. So again, when you get situated, you’ll want to bend the hoof at the knee so you have a better grip for trimming. I plan on buying some trimmers. Video on how to trim a goat's feet. Vicky had urged me to try the sander on my goats hooves. Ask if you can watch them trim a hoof before you begin. Restrain your goat. ). When the side wall In addition, you might want another person to help you. Use a hoof pick to clean out the pygmy goat hoof from manure, dirt, and stones. Copyright © 2020 TheAnimalista.com All Rights Reserved. It’s important to trim your goat’s hooves every 3-4 months to help avoid hoof rot (a buildup of manure & dirt that breaks down the hoof), and help your goat’s legs stay aligned. Trim between the hooves where the heels meet, taking care, as the heel is softer than any other part of the hoof. Many tutorials on how to trim hooves will advise getting a pair of goat hoof shears (probably a good idea) and keeping a bottle of blood stop powder on hand. This may cause pain for the goat while also providing a place for pockets of mud, manure and dirt to the hideout. If you’ve enjoyed this little introduction to how to trim a goats’ hooves with clippers, be a sport and share it on social media. When you move around to the backside of the goat, sit behind the goat instead of beside it. Placing the goat on a milk stand makes it easier to reach the goat’s hooves. Now that you have successfully secured the goat, you need to have a clear sight of its feet. Not only does it save you lots of money, you’re also avoiding things like hoof rot, infections, or overgrown hooves. The section below describes the equipment needed and the process used to properly trim goat hooves. So here are the basic items you will need: If you’ve neglected your goat’s hooves for some time, consider softening the hooves to make the process easier. Explore. Many goats elude hoof trimming by running away or making your life miserable while you attempt to trim the hooves. Trim after rain, after the goat has walked in wet grass, or after scrubbing hoof with a nailbrush and warm water; the hoof will then be softer to cut. The Boer/Dwarf crosses on the farm, on the other hand, appear to be much easier and need minimal maintenance – many have gone a year with frequent checks, but no subsequent pedicure required. Trim between the hooves where the heels meet, taking care, as the heel is softer than any other part of the hoof. Hoof trimming makes the animals more comfortable, allows the pasterns and legs to grow normally, and prevents hoof rot. The wall part of the hoof is pliable and, when they grow too long, they will fold over, covering the sole (bottom of the hoof). Have someone hold the fence while you put the halter on the goat. Someone holding them by the horns is usually helpful enough, although my old lady, Dolly, does like to throw herself on the floor like some kind of Hollywood diva but then lies then contentedly while I trim away. Domesticated goats need their hooves trimmed regularly to aid  movement and prevent infection. © All rights reserved - Outdoor Happens - 2020. The best way to hold the goat as you trim hooves is to put the goat in a milkstand and sit next to them. See more ideas about goat hoof trimming, goat care, pygmy goat. Trim the overgrown part just like the previous side. A goat hoof is prone to footrot and other infections. A few animal handling tactics might help you succeed and keep the stress to a minimum. Sit Behind the Goat to Trim Back Hooves. Keep clipping the overgrown portion at the front of their hoof wall until you see a white surface emerge. I trim a goats’ hooves using a huge pair of clippers designed for trimming horses’ hooves. : 3. Hoof plane (also optional, but very helpful for getting the hoof flat) Next, straddle the goat with it's head between your legs. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. You will need to trim one hoof at a time and it can be helpful to have someone hold the animal while you focus on holding up the leg with the hoof that you are trimming. Alternatively, you use your knees to lower yourself to the level of the foot. If you have not been checking your goat’s feet, but you notice that the animal experiences difficulty walking, you may be far past due to a trimming already. Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any position and rhythm depend on your call. Bend the leg before you begin clipping a hoof. Doing a hoof trim every 4-6 weeks is a good practice! How To Trim Goat Hooves: Equipment Needed Last update on 2021-01-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. So if you want to maintain a healthy herd, you need to learn how to trim goat hooves and also pay attention to goat hoof care. The first thing to do is to have all the tools ready. I finally did it two months ago. The goat stand will provide a way for you to secure the goat’s head and reduces movement while you trim the hooves. Any manure, dirt or grime should be thoroughly removed. To give your goat 's hoof should look how to hold a goat to trim hooves, examine a very young kid 's.... 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