Feet & Hoof Care by Adam Frazer

Hoof trimming can be a daunting task for a new pygmy goat owner. It is also one of the most important tasks to learn, to help keep your pygmy healthy and in tip-top condition.

Overgrown hooves can lead to foot-rot and in some cases this can cause the goat to go lame thereby causing the goat unnecessary discomfort.

When trimming hooves I begin by removing all the dirt from the hoof  using a hoof pick, followed by using a pair of sharp foot trimmers to trim the excess hoof wall that has become overgrown, so that the wall of the hoof is now even with the pad of the hoof. Now onto the heel of the sole, this is a softer tissue so care is needed when working with this area. If the heel of the sole is overgrown, trim carefully taking thin slices. Begin to level off the sole of the hoof until the first sign of pinkness so that the complete hoof is level. Be careful not to cut too much as the sole is more likely to bleed.

 Following the trimming of the hoof wall and sole this is when I use my rasp to file the hoof to give a tidy finish which is perfect for the show ring and something the judge’s eagle eye will definitely notice.

I tend to trim my goats hooves every 8 weeks. This helps keep me in routine to ensure all goats get their hooves trimmed making it easier to keep the hoof in better shape.

Earlier this year I purchased a head stock, to help hold the goat while hoof trimming. This has to be one of the best things I have bought as it means I can trim the goat’s hooves by myself lifting hoof by hoof almost like a farrier does and causing the goats little stress in the process.

Hoof trimming can be a daunting task for a new pygmy goat owner. It is also one of the most important tasks to learn, to help keep your pygmy healthy and in tip-top condition.

Overgrown hooves can lead to foot-rot and in some cases this can cause the goat to go lame thereby causing the goat unnecessary discomfort.

When trimming hooves I begin by removing all the dirt from the hoof  using a hoof pick, followed by using a pair of sharp foot trimmers to trim the excess hoof wall that has become overgrown, so that the wall of the hoof is now even with the pad of the hoof. Now onto the heel of the sole, this is a softer tissue so care is needed when working with this area. If the heel of the sole is overgrown, trim carefully taking thin slices. Begin to level off the sole of the hoof until the first sign of pinkness so that the complete hoof is level. Be careful not to cut too much as the sole is more likely to bleed.

 Following the trimming of the hoof wall and sole this is when I use my rasp to file the hoof to give a tidy finish which is perfect for the show ring and something the judge’s eagle eye will definitely notice.

I tend to trim my goats hooves every 8 weeks. This helps keep me in routine to ensure all goats get their hooves trimmed making it easier to keep the hoof in better shape.

Earlier this year I purchased a head stock, to help hold the goat while hoof trimming. This has to be one of the best things I have bought as it means I can trim the goat’s hooves by myself lifting hoof by hoof almost like a farrier does and causing the goats little stress in the process.