How to Trim Hooves on a Sheep or Goat

Hoof trimming is often needed once a year unless a pasture is very rocky allowing the hooves to wear down on their own.

A proper goats or sheep hoof resembles the shape of a newborn kid, or lambs, hoof.

Work when the lighting is good, this will result in fewer accidents.

Unless an urgent situation requires more, (as with an abscess, or to treat foot rot) trim only minimal amounts at a time.

Goats and sheep may be trimmed while the animal is standing tied or laying down. This will depend on how much handling your animal has received. Although more often used for trimming of the hooves in cattle, keepers who have many sheep or goats may want a proper device for holding animals secure to lay them on their side and immobilize them for trimming.

Equipment that is optional but may be handy for large flocks, Photo source http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheep_handler.JPG

It really does not matter which hoof is trimmed first, most people tend to start with one front hoof, do the back hoof on that side, then the other front hoof, and then the other back hoof. Other people prefer to do both front feet, then both back feet, others start with a front foot and proceed to the back foot on that side, the other back foot, then the last front foot. Sometimes the pattern used depends on the position the animal is in when being trimmed. Once a pattern is established, it should be followed on all the animals, in this way no animal will have a foot missed or forgotten. Hold the foot with one hand and scrape away dirt using the tip of proper trimmers, or garden pruning shears.

Using proper trimmers for sheep or goats, or using the garden pruning shears, cut off the longer growth from the front point of the hoof.

Snip the flaps that have started to fold under the hoof.

Trim the bottom of the hoof, careful not to cut too short. The hoof starts turning pink just before the blood supply. If you cut too deep and the foot bleeds, pour hydrogen peroxide over it, and monitor that goat for a few days, wrapping the foot in vet wrap if not infected with foot rot.

Photosource http://www.flickr.com/photos/aligraney/2274962356/

Although hard to see, this goat has hooves that have been well trimmed.