Hoof Trimming

Doug Hodges · #1 08/12/13, 03:50 PM

I was terrible when I first started and felt terrible when I got a little to deep and brought blood. Several of my goats had never seen a trimmer. I had one 3 year old that had terrible feet. So I bought a trimmer and started trimming after watching some videos. I did ok on most but the bad ones I brought blood. I've been trimming here and there a little at a time about once a week. Today, I decided to do the 3 newest goats and the girl with the bad feet. I did great on the 3 new goats and was real proud of myself and then I started in on bad feet. I did them all and then looked at her and noticed several bad spots. I started over again. I got down to the last side of the last hoof and got to deep and brought blood. I put something on it to stop the bleeding but I felt bad. Except for the blood, her feet looks tons better today than when I brought her home and all of my goats feet are looking pretty good. How do I keep this from happening? Should I have stopped and waited another week to hit them again? Is this something that happens when you have one with bad feet that looks like its never been trimmed?

Bret4207 · #2 08/12/13, 05:35 PM

You can't trim all bad feet as far as you want the first time. Yes, you do some, let it grow, do some more, let it grow. It can take several months on real bad ones. Better to go light than bleed them and get an infection IMO.

BethW · #3 08/12/13, 07:47 PM

Yep, take your time and go slowly. It took a while for those hooves to get so bad, so it'll take a while to get them in good shape. Trimming slowly will also give her feet and legs time to adjust.

motdaugrnds · #4 08/12/13, 08:18 PM

You can get it done without their feet bleeding if you go slowly, a little at a time. Do not wait an entire week, just 3-4 days and trim a little again. It will take awhile; but you can relax in the doing knowing you're not getting blood

coso · #5 08/12/13, 08:26 PM

I am terrible about taking off too much and making them bleed !!! I'm color blind, so don't see the "you have gone too far line" until it is too late. My wife will come out and watch me and tell me when I'm getting close and this helps.

Goat Servant · #6 08/12/13, 08:43 PM

Stop when you see pink.

Doug Hodges · #7 08/12/13, 10:30 PM

I've tried to stop when I see pink. I didn't see any pink today. I'll do the every 3 or 4 day thing. Thanks