trimming feet?

[animalcrazy31]

what do you use to trim your gaots feet? it looks like they need it its cracking on the whole hoves. ive just never done it before

 

[trestlecreek]

If you kitchen scissors, you can use those! I used a pair for several years before I bought a different style.

 

[fadetopurple]

I have a pair of these.

 

[lilhill]

I have a pair of these.

 

[JestersEye]

I have a pair of these.

That's the same pair I use. Works great, but in a pinch (like when your kids misplace the trimmers!), you can use a pair of hedge trimmers or wire cutters. The older our pygmies get, the tougher their hoof "leather" seems to get... so the better the tool, the easier the job will be.

 

[ThornyRidge]

I too use the above orange handled hoof trimmers.. just be very careful as they are verrrry sharp ( have a sharp point on them too that can be dangerous to you and goat if they start flailing around) I recommend having a helper or two (even with pygmy goats) and have a bowl of grain or favorite treats handy to keep occupied... hoof trimming can go quickly and painlessly if you have the right set up/people involved, and equipment. I have a wooden stanchion that helps tremendously but still need someone to hold back end as they still move around. A goat's natural instinct is to not stand still and let someone use sharp implements on their feet.. also keep up with it and some have said if hoof is exposed to wet grass (first thing in morning or after rain storm) it is easier to trim.. oh and one last thing.. get yourself a large sheet of heavy plywood and make a couple ramps and then cover them with decent roofing shingles and voila.. instant emory boards.. i have used these for years along with large boulder sized sandstones and it has cut down on my hoof trimming tremendously.. usually just have to snip a bit that grows under.. I have actually seen my goats rubbing and filing their hooves on the shingles to help the process!!!

 

[cmjust0]

I don't use shears anymore. I use a cheapo hoof knife from TSC. They're cheap with a really thin blade...probably terrible for horses, but works great for goats. When it gets dull after several trimmings, I just buy another one since they're < $4.

A friend of mine uses a boxcutter. Seriously. He's got a pair of extra-special hoof trimming gloves, too. They're regular gloves, but he wrapped a bunch of duct tape around the thumbs so he can bring the blade back toward this thumb without cutting it off...kinda like the way instict tells you to peel an apple before your grampa reminds you not to cut toward yourself.

It works. He can trim feet with the best of'em.

 

[kimmyh]

I use the orange handled trimmers as well after trying 4-5 other types I keep coming back to the orange handled type. When I first get a pair, I take them with the safety on, and scrape the tip back and forth on concrete to take that dangerous point off.

 

[Goat of Many Colors]

Hey Thorny Ridge....my DH made something for our kids too with the roofing shingles.

 

[houndit]

I use a really good pair of tree shears. They work really well.