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Hoof Trimming

© Kara Ceraolo

Both goats and sheep need their hooves trimmed regulary to prevent lameness, hoof rot, and tendonitis. How often it needs to be done depends on the animal and it's environment. Started early and kept on a dedicated schedule, hoof trimming is a minor chore.

There is a natural variation among hoof hardness in goats and sheep, at least partly genetic. Some goats hooves may wear down perfectly on their own, while their companion requirely weekly filing. The substrate in your goat pen also affects hooves...gravel, concrete, and packed dirt will obviously wear down more quickly than pasture. Sheep kept in fields may travel more and wear their hooves by exercise; goats given wooden play structures will jump and climb, helping the hooves. So while a small number of goats and sheep may never need work, most goats should get their hooves trimmed every 4-6 weeks and sheep every 4-6 months.

As soon as you purchase or deliver a kid, start handling it's legs and feet. If it is used to you holding it's hooves in the air, it will be much less stressed by the process, and much less difficult to work with. You will also have a better idea of the ideal hoof shape by studying newborn kids and lambs.

If you have a milking or fitting stand, a little grain should be sufficient to completely distract goats from the hoof trimming process. If you do not usually restrain your goats in this way, you will need to hold them in place. Goats with horns are fairly easy to restrain if you have an assistant. Sheep are also rather placable when you hold them by the chin. If you do not have anyone to help you with hoof trimming, you can purchase goat/sheep halters. It's best to get them used to the halter and being tied before trying to handle their feet. Tie them on a very short lead so they can't injure themselves, and use a horse knot so that you can release them immediately if there is a problem.

You can use nearly anything to trim hooves. Any livestock supply will offer a variety of hoof nippers that work very well. You can also file them with a horse hoof rasp or cut off the walls with wire cutters/diagonal pliers. Make sure anything you use is cleaned between animals, and make sure all animals have had a tetanus vaccination before you begin.

Basically, trim the excess from the walls of the hoof to make them level with the sole, and shave a small piece off the heel to prevent them from growing too long. The walls, sole, and heel can all bleed if you cut to far. Take off a small piece at a time and stop if it starts to look pink. If you do cut past the blood supply, stop the bleeding with Quick Stop powder or cornstarch and apply an antibiotic (they're going to be walking around, remember!). Because goats might limp for awhile after a too-close hoof trim, it's best not to trim hooves right before a show.