hoof trimmers.

[seedspreader]

I need a pair.

Best ones? Ok ones, cheap ones? Does it matter?

Hit me with it.

[mygoat]

Don't buy 'hoof shears'. Buy the much, much cheaper 'home' shears at meijers, Tsc, etc for around 5-8 dollars. They're the same thing, too. It's this way for many items used in the goatkeeping world, lol...

[jordan]

I just started using a dremel to trim hooves and LOVE the results! Much better trim, less stress on me and the goats and no wrestling required!

[seedspreader]

Originally Posted by mygoat

Don't buy 'hoof shears'. Buy the much, much cheaper 'home' shears at meijers, Tsc, etc for around 5-8 dollars. They're the same thing, too. It's this way for many items used in the goatkeeping world, lol...

Got a link for those somewher? Preferably a TSC link since there is one here.

[seedspreader]

Originally Posted by jordan

I just started using a dremel to trim hooves and LOVE the results! Much better trim, less stress on me and the goats and no wrestling required!

Is there a link describing how you use your dremel to do that?

[Goat Servant]

We have a pair of "Sobotens" from the local feed store. They have orange handles.
Some friends have another brand with red handles. Both were around 22.
As for the dremmels, we have not used it yet but you still have to trim before going at it, and you have to be careful cause it will heat up the foot really fast...always use a glove (duh) both dh and I have some nasty scars just from the manual trimmers!

Depending on how many you have, Cheap might last you one season, I have heard of folks using and what brand I cannot for the life of me remember...for several yrs at a time with periodic sharpening.

[Cloverbud]

I like my $9.00 pair of Fiskar pruning shears. Sharp and sturdy.

[DocM]

Sobotens can be sharpened, and last forever, something the cheap alternative don't have going for them. Pruning shears? Um, not the curved bladed ones, or the kind with the flat blocked blade on one side - you'll ruin your goat's feet. You can buy a dozen pair of 8 dollar cheapos and they won't last as long as a good pair of regular goat clippers. Spend the $20 and get the right equipment, you'll be happier in the long run.

[southerngurl]

I use my horse hoof nippers haha. They are a bit too big, but get the job done. I also will use my hoof knife, when it's sharp, it works very well.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

Is there a link describing how you use your dremel to do that?

Here is the thread from last month about using a dremel to trim hooves.
I didn't have to use trimmers before I started with the dremel.
http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthr...ghlight=dremel

[Cloverbud]

No, DocM, they're the pass-by type, with not much of a curve to them. If I could find the right equipment around here for $20, I'd probably pass out. I'm also not working them as hard as most folks here, with my little bunch. While I use my cheapies, I have time to save for the good stuff.

[tamsam]

With only 2 goats here and them both being pets that think it is a treat to stand on the picnic table and get the feet played with, I use a plain old pair of wire cutters. Works for me. Sam

[collegeboundgal]

save a lot of money in the long run (and time) and get a belt sander.

-Melissa

[BlueHeronFarm]

In addition to the trimmers, get a good, sharp utility knife. Once you clip off any large pieces, you use the utility knife to plane the hoof down as needed. We just started doing this...used to use a rasp. The knife is MUCH cleaner and easier.

[HazyDay]

I am using one with orange handles from Caprine Supply, I think they cost $22.oo.
We also just got a new pair from Preimere1 Sheep Supply they are pretty much they same thing, but much big handles and are green. They cost $16.oo

Before we had these clippers I was using a wire cutter, which diddn't have a spring so it was very hard to do there feet. Now with the right tools it takes me 5 mins to do a jumpy, kicky, fuss bucket Boer doe!

I also have a plane that I get the hoof flat with and got a hoof pick made for horses to dig the mud, dirt, and crud out of the hoof before I start to trim. That is worth the money of $.99 !!! Just keeps it cleaner and alot easier to see where you are cutting.

[FarmGirl18]

I use the orange handled ones as well. They work really well for me, and I really like them.

[mygoat]

I always manage to loose my trimmers, so I"d much rather loose a 5.00 pair than a 22.00 pair... ouch! LOL I've had the expensiver kind, haven't noticed a difference in effectiveness either. They get dull/break/lost? get new ones they're cheap enough! LOL

I also say don't get the pruning shears. I don't think they'll ruin a hoof but with the curved blade and flat other side they suck, imo.

Here is a pic of the type of shear I'm talking about:Hoof Trimmer

[Nancy_in_GA]

I agree completely with mygoat.

Bought two pairs of black handled shears similar to hers at Big Lots for $3 each four years ago, but lost one pair and couldn't find any similar the next spring. So I coughed up $16 for the orange handled ones. They are no better, in fact I still prefer the cheap pair.

The orange handles help to keep from losing them, but we just tie a piece of pink tape on the black ones now.

BTW, last spring Big Lots had them for at $4, so I bought a couple more pairs.

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

Channellock concrete nippers are what we use. They work like farrier nippers and make the process very easy. Here is a link. I got mine at Lowes.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...e&sName=Pliers

[mtnmenagerie]

Originally Posted by YuccaFlatsRanch

Channellock concrete nippers are what we use. They work like farrier nippers and make the process very easy. Here is a link. I got mine at Lowes.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...e&sName=Pliers

i'm actually about to get a pair of those! they make some that are spring loaded, so i'll still be able to use one hand to hold on, and one to cut!... i think i'm gonna try those out.