Goat Hooves 101

for that cracked spot @CntryBoy777 file a bit across the top... so it doesn't want to split up any more.

I found the you tube videos great... I picked ones with terrible hooves to watch.

just do it slowly, watching the color change.

as to only having 1 person...yeah, that is tough. I have giant ox boy hold goat motionless... kid 2 does the work. Then they come in and tell me when it is done.

I was told this hoof problem was inherited. How do I trim the hoof, from above? Valerie

That appears to be a very problematic situation, and can only imagine the quandry it must present to you. I will tag a few that have much more experience than me.
@Southern by choice @Goat Whisperer @babsbag @goatgurl @frustratedearthmother

Since the outer toe on both feet are growing out but the inner toe is looking good and more correct- you will need to still lift the foot and trim from under but you may need to work on it slowly
Almost like taking a mental note of where you need to go ... and work at it

My attempt with "paint" to show you what will need to come off- When they have toes that grow funny it is harder to manage - sometimes it takes a few days before they learn how to walk with their "new feet"

I will be doing one of our oddball feet tomorrow so I will try and get a pic... this goats hooves are done MONTHLY! Yet they grow dorky and FAST! UGH

@Valerie KS

Go slowly, you can always work on it a little every week.

I find when funky things show up, a once a week trim corrects the problem more quickly.

Also, I wonder on that one outside toe, is it like that because the outer wall has separated away from the inner wall?

I would look closely and make sure there is no smell or sign of rot. You might want to use something for hoof rot.

@Valerie KS first welcome to back yard herds. glad you came to join us. lots of nice and helpful people. hope you enjoy it here. @Southern by choice drew you a good picture. start with the outside and trim carefully. don't trim it so short that it is lower than the inside hoof or she will walk bow legged and put a lot of stress on her knees. I would use a plane to take the bottom of the inside hoof and take it off slowly, meaning once or twice a week. be sure you don't cut down into the quick. red is not your friend on the bottom of a foot. a lot of old people who cut a horses hoof to close will put kerosene on the bottom to 'draw the sore out'. I've never used it on a goat but something to keep in the back of your mind. it may take you a while to get her feet straightened out and they will probably always need extra care. good luck.
because I have dairy goats I use my milk stand to trim hoofs. put their head in the stanchion, give them a treat and trim away.

This is a genetic problem. Any ideas on how to reshape the front hooves? Thanks, Valerie

Sorry I didn't notice your replies above. I have a stanchion. Now the outer wall is the hard hoof and the inner wall is next to the sole? "Start with the outside and trim carefully." Does that mean the hard hoof; the flattened out hoof? Start trimming that back, weekly?

I greatly appreciate all your advice(s) and will get Hickory on the stanchion tomorrow to study the hoof a little closer and start trimming. I'll keep you posted!
Valerie

Valerie KS said:

Sorry I didn't notice your replies above. I have a stanchion. Now the outer wall is the hard hoof and the inner wall is next to the sole? "Start with the outside and trim carefully." Does that mean the hard hoof; the flattened out hoof? Start trimming that back, weekly?

I greatly appreciate all your advice(s) and will get Hickory on the stanchion tomorrow to study the hoof a little closer and start trimming. I'll keep you posted!
Valerie

Click to expand...

When ya get her on the stanchion and lift her foot, a pic of the underside would be of great benefit to post. Trimming just a little at a time will aid you and Hickory....it will allow her to adjust to any changes gradually and will help you with confidence being able to see more of the correction taking place.....

Greetings and welcome to BYH @Valerie KS Glad you joined us. Hope you can get those hooves back "right" but as noted, it will take some time. Hope you'll stick around for a bit. Browse around as there's lots of info and some great goat folks here. Make yourself at home.