Trimming hooves?

airotciv · #1 10/22/12, 06:12 PM

1 goat I have no problem with trimming his feet, then there is Lilly, I have to have the Vet out to do her feet. I can't get her to trust me and the Vet has to hold her down to trim her feet. It's not a good thing, but her feet have to be trimmed. How do I get her to let us trim her feet? She is a very good goat in everyother way. Dosen't like her feet touched.

Kits&Kids · #2 10/22/12, 06:19 PM

I have had a few that were like that.I use a lead rope around their neck tied to a sturdy post.When they realize they cant move and fight you they seem to give in.good luck.

Clovers_Clan · #3 10/22/12, 06:31 PM

Work with her everyday, picking up her feet. Reward her when she stands still. Do it over and over and over. Holding each one a little longer. Then introduce the trimming shears, don't use them yet. Just so she's not expecting the worst when she sees them. Then one day trim just one, pick up the rest of her feet. Next time trim another. She will get used to it, even if she's had bad experiences in the past. That's how its done with horses, it doesn't come natural to them either, and you can't just sit on THEM if they're not cooperating!

Kits&Kids · #4 10/22/12, 06:54 PM

clovers clan has good help for you, but i must say there is more than one way to break a horse.The same applies in this respect. if you have the time go one day at a time.

Ford Zoo · #5 10/23/12, 09:45 AM

A milking stand with grain helps too so they get the idea that trimming is a good thing. But we have one doe that inhales the grain before we are done. It still takes DH and I both, taking turns holding onto a leg for dear life. I always feel like I got run over by a truck the next morning.

airotciv · #6 10/23/12, 04:25 PM

Thanks everyone, When I say the Vet has to hold her down, his assistant grabs her horns and he goes to trim her feet she will lay down and tuck her legs under her body. If he can't get her to stand backup, he rolls her on her side and trims her feet. I don't know what happened to make her this way, but she is a very shy goat. Clover_Clan I will try to get down everyday and work with her. My DH did mention something last night "How can you work with Lilly and have pushy Rocky always wanting the attention? We need to put a new gate on the stall, so you can work with her without him." Rocky could be alot of the problem. So we will be installing a new gate and I will try to get down and work with her everyday.

Clovers_Clan · #7 10/23/12, 06:32 PM

She is a smart girl. She has learned she can lay down to avoid it. The milk stand will help a lot with that. 1)she can't lay down and 2)she won't want to if there is a tasty treat that can't be reached if she's dancing around and trying to lay down. Gradual desensitization will help, eventually she'll be so focussed on the munchies she's forgotten everything else. And don't fret too much. Its not hurting her any to do it the way you are now, its just hard on your back and required an extra set of hands. They sit sheep on their butts to trim feet.

airotciv · #8 10/24/12, 04:53 PM

Yes she is a smart girl, but then goats are to smart for thier own good. I have a 90 lb lab that has learned the samething, lay down and go and try to move me. Animals got to love them.