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Hoof Trimming 101
by Keith Smith The goal of hoof trimming is to allow your goat to walk normal. If the nails are allowed to grow excessively long your goat will not be able to walk efficiently or correctly. There is an increased risk of hoof rot and other infectious diseases. If it can't get to the feed trough before all the food is gone it will be malnurished and other goats will get more than they should. If it can't run well it is at increased risk from predators (goats are only about 50 foot runners anyway but that's another article).
This is not an article on show trimming. This is the bare minimum we feel is necessary for our "field" goats. Show trimming involves more attention to detail and must be performed much more often.
First, remove any dirt from the outside of the hoof and the dig dirt, mud, and nanny berries from the bottom of the hoof. A good tool for this is a hoof pick (not shown) or a nail. You can use the tips of your trimmer but by doing so you'll cut their life in about 1/3.
Keith & Lucinda Smith are retired Boer goat breeders and now operate the Internet Boer goat magazine www.BoerGoats.com |