I raise Nigerian Dwarf goats in the Central Texas. When I started my farm I knew very little, if anything, about raising goats, or any other livestock. Its been 4 years since I have started my farm and owned livestock. Its been quite the adventure with many learning curves along the way. One thing that I feel I have gotten pretty good at, is hoof trimming. Its something that is vital to your goats health,because regular hoof trimming helps fight infection and lameness. Overgrown hooves are not only a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also cause discomfort and affect your goats ability to walk and get exercise.
Trimming your goat’s hooves should be a regular part of your herd maintenance plan. Try to trim your goat’s hooves regularly, about every two to three months. Trimming their hooves is like trimming our fingernails. It does not hurt the animal in any way. Overgrown hooves can lead to lameness or hoof rot. Hoof rot is a common infection in the hooves of goats, sheep, and cattle. Bacteria and moisture can get trapped in the hoof and start to eat away at the hoof of the animal. This condition can usually be treated with zinc or copper sulfate.
Supplies Needed for Hoof Trimming
There are several supplies I recommend you have on hand to make hoof trimming a little easier, and safer, for you and your goat. First, I recommend grabbing a helper to assist in keeping your animals still during the trimming process. Goats are not always cooperative, making it quite a challenge to get their hooves trimmed in a safe and timely manner. A stanchion, which is a platform for your animal to stand on while caring for them, helps keep the animal from moving around too much. I have a wooden stanchion my husband made for me with a food bucket attached at the end that helps keep our goats occupied while we trim. It’s best to have a stool or chair to sit on as well. This will help support your back and keep you from bending over too much and causing discomfort. You will also need a sharp pair of hoof trimmers or a pair of gardening shears will work as too. You can find hoof trimmers at any of your feed stores or online. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves while trimming. Goats can be unpredictable causing you to accidentally cut the goat or yourself in the trimming process. Sugar is convenient to have on hand to stop bleeding, should you trim your goat’s hooves too close. There’s also blood stopping powder you can purchase at most feed stores. The picture below shows the anatomy of a goats hoof.
Trimming Your Goats Hooves
Photo Credit: Iron Oak Farm
When trimming, I start with the front hooves first. Goats generally do not like to have their back legs messed with making them a little harder to trim. Facing the rear of the goat, grab their leg and bend the leg at the knee to have a good look and access to the hoof. You should first get rid of any dirt or debris on the bottom of the hoof. A hoof pick helps in clearing any debris in the hoof. Start at the front of the hoof, trimming down the pointed area of the hoof. Gently trim around the edges of the hoof making your way to the back. Make sure to get all overlapping areas trimmed. Your goal is to make sure the hoof is flat. Check for cracks, soft spots, infection, and foul odor when trimming. If you notice any hoof issues, you can start by spraying wound spray on the area to help start the healing process. Depending on the severity of the hoof issue, a trip to the vet for a closer look or antibiotics may be in order. Once you have trimmed the front hooves, move to the back hooves following the same technique as you did for the two front hooves.
Other Things to Look for While Trimming Hooves
Since I already have my goat in the stanchion for hoof trimming, I like to take this opportunity to take a quick look at several other things to determine my goats health. I check their FAMACHA, the tissue around the eyes, for parasite problems. A quick brush through their cut helps me check for lice or mites and determine if any external parasite medication is in order. If my goats are due for their yearly vaccines l often take the opportuntiy to give them their shots too. My goats can be hard to catch, so the more I can get done during their hoof trimmings the better.
Foot Rot: Causes and Treatmen
Photo Credit: Eastland Veterinary Services
Foot Rot is contagious in goats and sheep. It is a costly condition for goat breeders each year found in wet and humid areas, particularly the Sourthern regions of the United States. The bacteria, Dichelobacter nodosus, is the cause of Foot Rot. The bacteria lies in pastures, laneways and muddy yards. Its common in the spring and fall. Regular hoof trims can help prevent or catch Foot Rot at its earliest most treatable stages. Foot Rot is treated with a 10% zinc sulfate solution for 5-7 days, and must be soaked for at least 15 minutes 3-4 times a week to properly treat the condition.
Resources for Goat Hoof Management
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-321-w.pdfhttps://www.canr.msu.edu/news/proper_goat_hoof_care
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