Finally! Designed a hoof helper ...

[motdaugrnds]

As some of you are aware, bucks (and some does) have very hard hooves. Having large rocks in their pen helps some; however, I prefer to keep them trimmed as I do my does. (Discovered years ago that not doing so can cause real problems for the bucks.) I have searched forums, goat shops and internet for something that would help me soften the hooves of my bucks; yet, found nothing. Suggestions were made, i.e. stand them in mud for half hour to an hour; and of course the large rocks in the pen. However, I designed something that works and is easy to do. If you are interested in trying it, do this: (I do this alone only because my bucks are so tame; but you might consider having someone help.)

Take some square cotton "human facial pads" (or an old towel or wash cloths cut into 6" squares). Tear off about five 6" lengths of duck tape and two 12" ones, having them ready for use. Take 4 paper towels (one for each foot) and fold in one long strip to be used to keep the tape off the goat's hair. Have some clean water (with a little hydrogen peroxide in it) ready in a squirt bottle (not a spray bottle). Now tie up your buck and start by cleaning one hoof with warm (lightly soapy) water. Bunch the pads together (or crumple the cloths) for about 1" thickness and place in between the two toes on that hoof. Fold pads over bottoms of both toes and hold on hooves with the tape (as many strips as it takes). Wrap the folded strips of paper towels just under dew claws and hold there with longer strip of tape. Now tape the entire thing up (both toes together) until you wind up with a type of "boot" that will not slip off. (Do not cover the dew claws and remember the goat might paw the ground so make duck tape extra thick over bottom of hoof.) Now use the water/hydrogen peroxide mixture and squirt it down into the boot from between the dew claws inside the foot until you are sure all pads are soaking wet. May leave over night or for 24 hours before taking off to trim hooves. You will find them nice and soft so be careful as you trim not to go too deeply. After trimming, I usually flush the whole hoof with the same water/hydrogen peroxide mixture before turning the buck loose.

I have used this technique on rock-hard hooves and it works beautifully.

[cmharris6002]

Wow, great idea!

[witchysharon]

Sorry....that just sounds like a lot of extra work to me..LOL... I nail roofing shingles to their playground surfaces and on the steps to our porch. Plus i let them play on the cement drive. I rarely have to trim as the shingles help keep the hooves on both bucks and does pared down quite nicely.

[Goat Freak]

THat sounds like a good idea! Our buck doesn't play, and he has hard hooves, so I think that it will work much better with your idea. THank you too witchysharon, I think that what you do will work for our does and babies. Thank you both. Bye.

[moonspinner]

I've heard of the shingles idea but what about when they can get so scorching in the sun? Do goats feel that heat on their hooves?

[Wingdo]

Both methods, the shingles and the "boot," have their place here on the Side of the Rock farms.

The "boot" method for those old boys that really don't give a flying fart what you do to them and the "shingle" method works great for those that have the time to go "inspect" for exposed roofing nails after the goats have had their way with them after a week or so... roofing nails can cut the snot out of legs if not driven in after the shingle is gone.

Either method would work, better than doing nothing about a hoof that's so long the ankle/pasturn bends over! You can check with your local lumber yard for surplus shingles, as they usually have broken bundles lying around that might require inventory... they sell 'em cheap so they don't have to count 'em!