We finally have a day that isn’t pouring or storming! Time to trim some goat hooves.
When I started researching how to trim goat hooves a few years back, the websites I found recommended trimming goats’ hooves anywhere from every four weeks to every three months. For me, I prefer every four weeks. That keeps the hoof wall strong and keeps trimming their hooves a simple process. No severely torn hooves, nor severely weakened hoof walls that are falling apart, and no crazy overgrowth. Just slightly long hooves that need a quick (careful) snip snip.
Alright, let’s get to work.
What you’ll need:
- Hoof trimmers or, in a pinch, really good pruning shears. Tractor Supply is where I get my hoof trimmers.
- A goat/milk stand, this is optional but highly recommended
- Blood stop powder, again optional. I’ve never needed it. The few times I have trimmed too far down (I don’t like to get that close) to where the hoof bled, it was a few small drops. However, with that said, goats can bleed a lot if trimmed too low. If you want to play it safe, having some blood stop powder on hand doesn’t hurt.
- Treats, optional, but highly recommended to keep them preoccupied while you work.
First customer! Through the door and up, onto the stand. She knows there’s treats in there.
Once the goat is on the milk stand, lift the hoof and asses how it looks. Are there any injuries? Infections?
These hooves are closer to six weeks since the last trimming, because it has been so stormy that finding a nice enough day to trim hooves was difficult. Still, this is why I like trimming as frequently as every four weeks. The hoof walls are slightly overgrown and ready to trim, yet still looking healthy.
I’ve found that the goat fights less if you try to hold the lifted leg at a more natural angle for the goat than if you were to pull the leg out, closer to you. You might need to get at an awkward angle to see the hoof better, but I prefer that to a goat fighting me and me accidentally snipping the hoof too deep.
To trim the hooves, aim to cut the hoof wall, the outer segment, to be level with the rest of the hoof. Pretty much like trimming nails on a person.
Move slowly to make sure that you don’t cut too far down. Be mindful of the hoof’s pad, the soft, inner section that feels quite like a padding. When you are getting close to what is called the quick, or where the blood is, the area against the hoof wall and the hoof’s pad will turn pink. That’s your warning to go no further.
Trimmed and done.