Sheep hoof issues

[Stephine]

Right you are! I was going to say to check the oil gland, but you not only shared your experience, you posted a picture!

I’ve never had a sheep with a plugged up oil gland, @Show Sebright can you give directions and advice how to treat it?

One of my wethers has plugged oil glands on his front feet. It’s super easy to clean - just gently push on it, towards the tip. Pull on the hardened plug with your fingers and pull it out (usually there‘s a bit of wool stuck there, too). I do them every day and one has finally shrunk to normal, the other is still the size of a large pea…
If it’s not infected it’s not yucky. I have no problem washing off the oil and it doesn’t smell bad at all. (which is surprising since it’s a scent gland… clearly my nose is much worse than a sheep‘s! But then I also love the smell of sheep…)