How to Trim Goats Hooves

In their natural habitat, the last thing goats have to worry about is their feet because walking and playing on rocks wears the hooves down, keeping them short and healthy. Goats that are raised domestically are normally kept in soft fields. The lack of rock, combined with the rich hay and grain domestic goats are normally fed may cause the hooves to grow. If you don’t keep the hooves trimmed they will grow to long and your goat will become foot sore and lame.

Things You'll Need

• Hoof trimmers
• Milk stand

Instructions

1. Place your goat on a milk stand. This is an elevated stand that has a collar that can be fastened around your goat’s neck and will hold it in place.

2. Clean all of the dirt and debris from the hoof. The best way to do this is to use a firm brush. If you suspect your goat has hoof rot or thrush you will want to pour some Kopertox on the goats hoof. The Kopertox will help clear the infection.

3. Using your hoof trimmers, gently trim your goat’s dew claws. Don’t be surprised when these surprised when these come apart in chunks.

4. When you have finished trimming your goats dew claws you will need to use the hoof trimmers to trim the overgrown sections of the hoof wall. Even your goat’s heel so that they are able to walk flat-footed, the way nature intended.