How to Maintain Goat Hooves

Many people raise goats as pets or to show in competitions. Maintaining their hooves is important to the health of the goat. Leg and foot problems may develop with improper trimming or neglecting to trim the hooves. The type of breed, age of goat, level of activity, nutrition and the terrain all determine how often the hoof requires maintenance. A general guide to proper trimming is when the hairline of the hoof is parallel to the ground.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof shears
  • Sharp hoof trimmers
  • Rasp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a day to trim the goat's hooves after a rain. This makes the trimming less difficult because the hoof is softer.

    • 2

      Move your goat to the milking stand if possible. This makes it less complicated to trim the hooves, since the goat has nowhere to move. Another method is to tie a rope around the goat's collar and attach it to a fence post.

    • 3

      Position yourself beside the goat and begin with a front hoof. Lift the hoof up and back toward its rump.

    • 4

      Dig out any soil or other debris in between the goat's toes with the hoof shears.

    • 5

      Cut the nails with the hoof shears. The proper length is parallel to the growth line. Trim any excess growth around the toes.

    • 6

      Trim the heels of the goat with the hoof trimmers to the same level as the toe section. It is best to make thin slices to avoid cutting the hooves too deeply. Cut away from your body and the goat to ensure the safety of both the animal and you.

    • 7

      Use the rasp to make the hoof flat.