How to Use Clippers on Goats

Knowing how to use clippers properly on goats means the difference between an attractive, sleek goat and one that has unkempt patches of long or dirt-laden hair. Whether you need to clip your goat in preparation for a goat show, for hot summer weather or for an impending kidding, knowing the proper clipping method makes the entire process easier and faster. Use large animal clippers for your goat's torso, but switch to a set of small animal clippers when trimming the udder, head and leg areas. Always move the clippers against the direction of the hair growth to ensure a close, even cut.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope, leash or milking stand
  • Large animal clippers
  • Small animal clippers
  • 1/2-inch clipper blade (optional)
  • 1/4-inch clipper blade
  • 1/16-inch clipper blade
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure your goat so that it holds still during the clipping process. Tie the goat to a post or fence or contain it in a milking or fitting stand. Brush your goat's hair thoroughly to remove loose or caked-on mud and dirt.

    • 2

      Trim your goat's torso with a set of large animal clippers and a 1/4- or 1/2-inch blade. Start at the base of the tail and clip the entire back, neck, flank and stomach area, being careful to avoid the udder if you're clipping a female goat.

    • 3

      Clip the long hair along the edges of your goat's ears with small animal clippers and a 1/4-inch blade. Trim the hair along the goat's jaw, on the sides of its face and on all four legs. Pay special attention to the hair along the edges of the hooves to ensure that you produce an even hoof line. Move slowly and talk to your goat in a quiet, calm voice to keep it from getting scared.

    • 4

      Cut the hair on the udder area using the small animal clippers and a 1/16-inch blade. Start clipping at the back of the udder and gradually remove the hair from the entire surface of the udder, moving the clippers slowly and carefully to minimize your chances of nicking the skin or making your goat jump.

    • 5

      Grasp the goat's tail firmly in one hand. Locate the tip of the tail and measure 2 to 3 inches inward along the tail from the tip. Give the goat's tail a shaving-brush appearance by clipping all the hair except for the few inches at the end using the small animal clippers and a 1/2-inch blade. Create a straight end by scissor-cutting the ends of the tail hair approximately 1 inch beyond the tip, being careful not to cut the tail tip itself.