How to Clip a Pygmy Goat's Hooves

Trimming a goat's hooves can be easier if you start doing it when they are kids. While it may be easier the first time to work with a veterinarian, you'll soon be able to do it on your own. Get a helper for the task if you have more than one pygmy goat.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof knife
  • Shallow pan
  • Disinfectant
  • Hoof shears
  • Hoof pick
  • Hoof rasp
  • Iodine
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Instructions

  1. Hoof Trimming

    • 1

      Trim your pygmy goat's hooves often. They can get dry and cracked and can eventually cripple your pet goat.

    • 2

      Plan to trim your goat's hooves every three months.

    • 3

      Know that you can choose between several different types of hoof trimmers, such as small pruning shears or professional hoof trimmers.

    Check for and Treat Hoof Problems

    • 4

      Inspect your pygmy goat's hooves for any signs of disease.

    • 5

      Check the hooves for the sensation of heat. This can signify infection and is usually accompanied by swelling.

    • 6

      Pare away all the dead tissue around the hoof with a knife.

    • 7

      Dip the pygmy goat's hoof in a small pan filled with disinfectant.

    • 8

      Meet with a veterinarian to discuss follow-up care for your goat. Sometimes infection will need to be treated with further topical treatments.

    Trim Your Goat's Hooves

    • 9

      Plan to trim your pygmy goat's hooves after it has been outside in the wet grass. Moisture will make the hooves softer and much easier to trim.

    • 10

      Restrain your goat. You can choose to tie it up to a fence or to a post, or you can have a strong person restrain it.

    • 11

      Pick up one hoof and bend it towards the back of the goat, with the bottom facing up.

    • 12

      Use a hoof pick to clean out the pygmy goat hoof from manure, dirt, and stones.

    • 13

      Cut excess growth from the walls of the hooves using shears.

    • 14

      Trim down the sole of the hoof with a hoof knife.

    • 15

      Cut away from yourself and the goat as you aim to make a flat surface of the heel, sole, and wall of the hoof.

    • 16

      Stop trimming when you see the sole look slightly pinkish in color.

    • 17

      Finish with a hoof rasp to obtain a smooth finish.

    • 18

      Leave your goat in a clean pen to help protect against infection.