Hoof Trimming

Healthy feet are critical for the overall good health of your goat

Your goat can get hoof-rot if you let them get out of shape and allow them to overgrow…… this will lead to a sick goat!!

Goats like to graze and move around, and severe overgrowth can cause blisters between their toes which will make walking exceedingly painful, and will also make it hard for them to compete for food. Goats need to eat constantly, and will not live long if prevented from doing so.

Hoof conditions are affected by climate and topography of the land. If you have wet farmland this will increase the need for hoof trimming on a regular basis.

Dry, rocky land helps to keep their hooves in better condition, but even in these areas they still need frequent attention to their hooves.

A good rule of thumb is to trim after rain or heavy dew, as their hooves will have softened.

Struggling goats who jerk their legs can cause injury to both parties, so we recommend you use a trimming station. Goat Trimming Stations

Always use a good quality hoof trimmer, and you might want to have a bottle of Kopertox and Blood Stop powder handy just in case you accidently cut one. This can be purchased from Valley Vet Supplies or Jeffers.

Clean any dirt from between the toes and the sole using the point of the trimmer. Always take your time, especially if the hoof wall is overgrown. Pry it open carefully and cut off, a small amount at a time. If you hurry you could cause the hoof to bleed. If the sole appears pinkish, it’s time to stop trimming. Hoof rot would usually be found near the tip of the toe and along the hoof walls and seldom occurs in the heal.

Heels are softer than any other part of the hoof, so take care. Trim between the hooves where the heels meet.

The hoof should look like that of a very young kid’s hoof, so if you are not sure examine a kid so you know how to trim correctly.

If serious bleeding occurs, apply your Blood Stop Powder immediately. Once you have this under control you can apply Kopertox. If you only see slight bleeding use the Kopertox to the entire bottom of the hoof, holding it off the ground for approx. 1.5 minutes to allow it to dry, this way it will remain on the hoof for up to 24 hours.

Of course the aim is to see no bleeding, and the flatten the soles and the heel. You goat needs to be walking upright with flat bottomed feet, not at an angle on the pasterns.