Being brandnew to having goats, I really want someone to show me how to clip their hooves, before I do it for the first time (especially since they've never had it done before). Is there some sort of "farrier directory", or what's the best way to find one? (local yellow pages have yielded nothing...)
I was in the same position when we first moved to this area witht the horses Best bet is to find a place that has horses or goats, and ask if they can recommend someone. (goat ppl tend to do this themselves-but they might sho you) Next bet is to call up an equine vet and see if they can refer someone. Good Luck!
I got a couple names from my veterinarian. I also went to the local feed store and pulled some cards off the bulletin board. Finally, I stopped a truck with a farrier advertisement on the side and asked him for his business card--he is my current farrier. Which ever works best for you.
Best bet is to drive around and look for goats in fields, then knock on the door and say Excuse me but could I ask a dumb question A large animal vet should also be able to show you how to do it, although a few may be unexcited/unwilling and the rest will charge more than a farrier If all else fails, your feed store will know someone and/or have business cards on a bulletin board (I would NEVER EVER recommend getting a farrier for your horse this way... there are way way too many lousy ones out there, and without personal recommendations from people whose horses feet you're acquainted with it is really a total gamble.... but for finding someone to show you how to trim a goat foot I'd think it'd be fine, assuming you can find someone willing -- if the goats have never been done before I suspect you'd have much better luck going the goat-owner route.) Good luck, Pat
Thanks for the replies, guys! I called a goat owner I recently met, to find out if she could recommend anyone, and even though she could not, she agreed to come to my house and show me how to do it (she charged me $50 for all 3). She has dairy goats and 3 years of experience under her belt, so I felt pretty good about it. Hopefully, when it's "that time" again, 3 months from now, I'll be able to do it myself (it was quite the challenge, wrestling down our momma goat, and keeping her still enough to do all 4 hooves...). Meanwhile, I plan to build them a "road" made of concrete pavers in their yard, so that they will hopefully run up and down it, and wear down their hooves. Think that'll work?
