Who says goat hoove trimming is easy?

[glenolam]

It looks like you did a great job! I usually cut more off the toe tip, too - I hate pointy hooves, though.

I actually never trim the little toe nails that are above the hoof. I tried once and cut my goat pretty badly so I never did it again. They never really get too bad anyway, so I just monitor them.

It is hard to give them a good trim if it's been so long. With several of the goats I got this year they were long over due so I gave them as good a trim as I possibly could and then followed up a few weeks later and continued to do so until I was happy with their feet. I have a milking stand so I usually lock them in the head gate with some grain to keep them occupied until I'm done.

I did notice that they all resisted at first, but by the 2nd or 3rd hoof on the first trim they sort of figured out that what I was doing felt good so they calmed down.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I could tell you, but you'll learn best by seeing how it's done. Here are some Youtube videos I have found for you. Also, a goat stand is essential if you want to trim hooves successfully by yourself. Also, in the summer heat, it is a lot easier to trim them after a rain or when the ground still has dew on it. It will soften the hooves enough so your hands don't get tired as quickly.

 

[arabianequine]

Thank you all! I thought they looked better but what do I know being a newbie.

I watched tons of videos on youtube yesterday before I went back out to try again. I had the right idea all along.

Oh that little boer was a kicking bronco but not as long or bad of hooves. They did not take that long and it would have been quicker if she stood still. Not sure I would want to stand over her during this

The older boer took forever because of the condition of her hooves.

My husband is gonna help me build a goat stand today....would have started yesterday evening but I was busy doing their hoove trims.

I have 2 goats left to trim....the togg and my buck. I think my buck will be really easy. They were done when he got her a month ago and he is very nice. I will just give him some alfalfa and he will be happy as can be.

The togg I worry about she has lashed out before with her front legs, when was sick and I was putting med. in her mouth. After the first time doing the older boer. I had the two boers tied in a corner face first yesterday and that helped but I am making it shorter lead for the togg for sure. The togg is prety timed maybe I will give her some alfalfa too since she loves it and the others pig it.

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
Yeah thats how the bucks are. They were done when he got here a month ago and already due again.

 

[EweSheep]

It didn't take me long to figure it out different methods to use which I successfully did my Nubians.

Put the goat in the sanchon, picked up front feet, put my knee under her chest so she would not get down to her knees. I would trim the sides and then take off the points and back pad part of the hoof.

Repeat the other side as well.

The back end, like a horse farrier would do, put my knee in her inside leg near udder. Do not put your knee to prop on her udder, it would bruise or squirt milk LOL! Then trim likewise like the front.

My goats never gave me any flap about getting trimmed. After all, after six long years of healthy trimmings, their feet never looked so good as our vet commented it. Then we sold them.

 

[arabianequine]

My togg and buck were done today. It is amazing how my buck is such a gentleman. The girls well they are you know

 

[4 the Birds]

It always take two of us to do a goat trim. I made a board that swivels from the bottom to lock their heads in a hold. One person feeds a dish of grain while I trim the hooves. It works very well. It only take 15 to 20 minutes to trim a couple of goats.

 

[glenolam]

Quote:
I must say that is exactly what I do with my larger breeds. I have 1 pygmy so it's impossible to get a knee under her, but for the Nubs and Saanans putting a knee under their leg not only deters them from kicking it really helps stabalize them so they don't feel as though they're going to fall.

Sometimes for the front legs I'll use my shoulder and bicep to hold up the leg - I'll grab the hoof from the inside and prop their leg up with my arm and cut with the other hand.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I must say that is exactly what I do with my larger breeds. I have 1 pygmy so it's impossible to get a knee under her, but for the Nubs and Saanans putting a knee under their leg not only deters them from kicking it really helps stabalize them so they don't feel as though they're going to fall.

Sometimes for the front legs I'll use my shoulder and bicep to hold up the leg - I'll grab the hoof from the inside and prop their leg up with my arm and cut with the other hand.

Yes, exactly!

For mini breeds, that would be hard to do but not impossible.

 

[Matthew3590]

Quote:
I must say that is exactly what I do with my larger breeds. I have 1 pygmy so it's impossible to get a knee under her, but for the Nubs and Saanans putting a knee under their leg not only deters them from kicking it really helps stabalize them so they don't feel as though they're going to fall.

Sometimes for the front legs I'll use my shoulder and bicep to hold up the leg - I'll grab the hoof from the inside and prop their leg up with my arm and cut with the other hand.

I put my shoulder to hold up the front leg, and I guessed I didn't have her "secured" enough and she kicked me in the face. I was not happy.