Who says goat hoove trimming is easy?

[Chickencoop1996]

I tie my kids everyday from day 1 and lift their legs to get them used to it. But My first 2 goats were not trained to lift the feet and were very non social I feel your pain

 

[llrumsey]

I had always watched my dad do the horse hoofs and thought how hard could it be, yeah right. after loosing my cool many times and the goat loosing hers I came up with my own system. Each morning I would tie her up, give her some of her feed and take a carpet knife to do her feet. It took a few days but she didnt fight me and I could just take my time no jerking or kicking. She was to busy stuffing her face to care what I did to her. Maybe something like that would work for you.

 

[Kaitie09]

We bought a halter for our goats just for when we trim their hooves. Before, we had to have 2-3 people holding the goat while the other person did the hooves. With the halter, we put it on them for about 10 minutes until they calm down, we tie them up, and one person gives them little treats while the other does the hooves. It is much calmer and less stressful now. We have a fat little pygmy and 2, 120lb Boer X.

 

[Crabella]

Where are you in Washington? I also live on the dry side. It's been 30+ years since I had goats, but think I could still do it, if you aren't too far away

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
Not far from moses lake.

 

[Jasmine1998]

Here is a good reference with pictures
http://www.ahp-vet.com/healthysmrm/C322.htm

 

[arabianequine]

Did I do terrible? I did not think I could really make them look worse then they were. These hooves are a back hoof and from the older boer. She is 3. I washed them up after and sprayed blue kote all over the bottom of her hoof. A lot of rot in there. I think she has abscesses? A puffy spot on the hooves. The left side has a bigger like bubble. I did not want to mess with it. I did not know if it was the flesh/frog part of her hoof.

I finished her feet tonight took 2-3 hours they were in terrible shape. It will probably take a few good sessions to get them back to normal.

Before

After

 

[Jasmine1998]

Also wanted to add that we have to do ours every 4 weeks because they grow so quickly....any longer than that & they look terrible.

 

[dutchhollow]

Looks like you did a great job. You can take off more toe if you want to, but a huge improvement!

 

[carolinagirl58]

Have you ever seen the position they put sheep in to shear them....sort of sitting on their butts? Try that for trimming goat hooves. I could trim a 250 pound boer goat buck all by myself that way. Once they are on their butts, they become VERY docile and easy to handle.

Here's a video to show you how to get him in position.....