GOAT HOOF TRIM

Sooner or later, you'll need to trim your goats' hooves.

- DANIEL JOHNSON

Livestock care requires many daily chores regarding the basics of feeding, watering and shelter. But certain other chores are performed less frequently, and for that reason, may be a little more challenging for the beginner. Hoof care falls into this category.

If you're going to raise goats, sooner or later you'll need to trim their hooves. At first you might be tempted to delegate this task to a knowledgeable neighbor or friend. But learning the skill yourself will save time and maybe some money and, most importantly, help you feel more independent and confident with your livestock and homesteading lifestyle. To help you out, let's look at some of the tools and techniques needed to perform this important task.

WHY TRIM A GOAT'S HOOVES?

Left untrimmed, the hoof walls (the sides of the hoof) have a tendency to grow long and then fold over on themselves. Eventually this can become uncomfortable for the goat and can even cause lameness or a deformity of the pasterns if left unchecked.

Regular trimming prevents this and keeps the hoof at the correct angle. It's also a chance to clean the hoof thoroughly, and perform a visual inspection for any health issues such as abscesses or hoof rot.

HOW OFTEN? 

Plan on evaluating your goat’s hooves about every two months. Some goats raised on grassy pastures or that spend time in soft stall bedding may need a trim that often. Other goats may naturally wear down the hoof walls if they have access to rocks or sand outdoors; in these cases it may be possible to stretch out the trimming intervals to several months, but you probably wouldn’t want to trim less than three times a year. The length of time between trims also depends on the breed, as some grow slower than others.

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