Things You'll Need
- Hoof pick
- Hoof trimmers
- Iodine, or copper or zinc sulfate solution (if necessary)
Instructions
Hoof Trimming
Check the goat regularly for hoof growth, abnormalities in walking or other signs of hoof pain. Overgrown goat hooves exhibit an upward curl at the tip, as well as an inward curl along the bottom edges.
Face the goat's tail and grasp its leg firmly, bending it at the knee to access the hoof.
Use a hoof pick to scrape away any dirt or manure present between the wall of the hoof and the sole of the foot.
Cut back the sides of the hoof with trimmers, until they are even with the sole of the goat's foot.
Use thin cuts or slices to trim, and stop when pink-colored tissue becomes visible.
Remove enough material from the tip of the hoof to make it even with the sole of the foot.
Trim away any dead or rotted tissue, and ensure the hoof is level with the sole on all sides.
Controlling Foot Rot and Scald
Examine the goat for indications of foot rot or scald. Signs include limping, holding feet off the ground, eating in a kneeling position and the avoidance of walking.
Check the goat's hooves for inflammation. Infected goats will exhibit moist, sensitive and raw skin between the toes, pink to white in color.
Quarantine any infected animals, and begin the treatment process with a thorough cleaning and trimming of the hooves.
Treat infected hooves with a 7-percent iodine solution, or a 10-percent solution of copper sulfate or zinc sulfate. All of these are commonly available commercially.
Cure infections in large numbers of goats by preparing zinc or copper sulfate baths, large enough for several animals to stand in at once. Ensure treated goats spend the next 24 hours in a dry environment, to avoid re-infection.