Trimming Hooves

[TriWinkle]

What is the correct terminology for the tools I'll need to trim their hooves and the best place to find it? I know, weird question, but sometimes when you ask the people at the local Tractor Supply where something is they look at you with that "Huh??" expression...I know knowing the terminology may not necessarily help me, but it certainly won't hurt. If nothing else I'll just buy them off of Amazon.

[Donna1982]

I call them goat hoof shears. I got mine at TSC they look just like these and are grhttp://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Instruments-Style-Hoof-Shear/dp/B000HHQ3WUeat!!!

[mammabooh]

I think they are called hoof rot shears.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I use trimmers that I bought at Meijers in the gardening section. They are like a rose pruner & work great.

Also a Rasp is good to have on hand to file the hoof when your done trimming with the shears.

[thaiblue12]

They are called hoof trimmers. The hoof rot shears you do not want. They are bulky, hard to use and some have like teeth type thing along the edge and it does not leave the hoof smooth.

I buy these on ebay or amazon, they work great, cut well even the hardest huge Nubian hooves.

http://www.amazon.com/Zenport%C2%AE-...5805865&sr=8-1

[Charleen]

Chances are, the problem is not that you're using an incorrect term. The problem might be that the staff at TSC needs to be educated. Good thing you can help them with that! When it comes to goats, you'll be in this situation a lot.

[gila_dog]

I bought mine from Northwest Packgoat Supply. They are called hoof trimmers.

http://northwestpackgoats.com/index....cpqmvb6t0ch5m7

I also use a farrier's rasp to smooth things down after trimming.

[TriWinkle]

Thank you all for the information!!

ETA: Ok, in addition to the shears, the guy I got my babies from also used what looked like, for lack of a better description, a cheese grater on the bottom of their hooves...Did it while I was standing their...kinda whittled down the growth first...Ever seen anything like that?!

[farmmom]

I use a razor knife. I find I can do the trimming faster and smoother than with any trimmer I've tried.

[FrogTacos]

I was given the Titan vegetable peeler for Christmas a few years ago - shaved off a large part of my thumb the first time I used it, haven't used it since. Dug it out of the drawer last time I went to trim hooves and was amazed at how well it worked.

[saanengirl]

Originally Posted by TriWinkle

Thank you all for the information!!

ETA: Ok, in addition to the shears, the guy I got my babies from also used what looked like, for lack of a better description, a cheese grater on the bottom of their hooves...Did it while I was standing their...kinda whittled down the growth first...Ever seen anything like that?!

That is a hand-held wood plane. You can find it in the tools section at Lowes or Home Depot.

The other option is to buy the hoof care kit from Hoegger Supply that has everything in it.

["SPIKE"]

Nice little complete kit. The plane is great for finishing the job. The one I have is actually made for smoothing sheetrock edges.

SPIKE

[Charleen]

Harvey Considine (and if you have goats you should know who he was) taught me how to trim hooves almost 20 years ago. He taught me using a utility knife (ALWAYS SHARP) and I remember him saying that was the only way to properly trim.

[BethW]

I use the standard orange-handled shears and hoof plane, too.

The most important tool though, is wet ground. Trimming after a heavy dew or rain softens hooves perfectly and makes the job a hundred times easier.

[highlands]

I did the nail trimming thing years ago and realized there was a better way. As an alternative to hand trimming what we do is have rock in places where the animals frequent such as feeders, waterers and paths. This causes them to naturally wear their hooves and saves me the effort of trimming thousands of nails several times a year. (300 x 4 x 2 = 2,400 nails to trim each time - youch!)

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Read about our on-farm butcher shop project:
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/butchershop
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/csa

[HDRider]

Originally Posted by highlands

I did the nail trimming thing years ago and realized there was a better way. As an alternative to hand trimming what we do is have rock in places where the animals frequent such as feeders, waterers and paths. This causes them to naturally wear their hooves and saves me the effort of trimming thousands of nails several times a year. (300 x 4 x 2 = 2,400 nails to trim each time - youch!)

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Read about our on-farm butcher shop project:
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/butchershop
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/csa

Thank Walter - You are a fount of experience.

I love when nature works with us and for us.

[southerngurl]

Walter, what kind of rock do you use?

[Suzyq2u]

We use the straight sheers. (Think mine are green though, but same as the orange).
I've found a milk stand and some grain and a bit of patience helps immensely too

[OJ Rallye]

I thought I would try the aviation tin snips like I have here in the shop for sheet metal and aluminum.
The fella that I rented a buck from says he uses a sharp knife. He has more than 100 goats.
I don't know if I would start with a knife.
I'm getting close to my first hoof trimming.

[SilverFlame819]

Eek. I've seen some scary things happen with people using super sharp knives, and goats yanking their hooves suddenly. I would never use one. I prefer my goats with hooves! :S