How To's
4
Using a Grinder to Trim Goat Hooves
Gather together a stool, milk stand, gloves, your grinder or dremel tool, clippers, hoof pick, Kopertox, Blood Stop, and an extension cord.
Put on your gloves. Secure the goat in the milk stand and position yourself so that you can reach all four feet comfortably and the cord does not get in your way. Plug in your grinder.
Clean out any dirt with a hoof pick or the tip of your clippers. Brush any dirt from the hoof so that you can see the growth lines that are circling the hoof parallel with the hairline at the top of the hoof.
If the feet are in poor shape, you may want to pre-trim with your clippers to clear away areas where the hoof wall has grown over the sole. Don't hurry. Take it easy- one small slice at a time. If you cut too closely and the goat bleeds, apply Kopertox and Blood Stop.
Turn the grinder on its lowest setting. Allow the goat a moment to get used to the noise. Gently apply the whirring emory end to the elevated, upward facing bottom of the hoof. Carefully trim the wall starting at the tip so that it's even with the sole. Follow the growth line so that you achieve the correct angle.
Stop when the sole appears pinkish and all foot rot has been removed.
Repeat this procedure with all four feet. Check to make sure that the goat is walking on flat bottomed feet.
If the heel is drastically overgrown or you didn't get it in the right shape, but you have hit the pinkish area, stop. It's better to come back later trimming a little at a time than to risk infection or lameness by taking too much off at once. Try again in one to three weeks. Sometimes it takes a while to restore overgrown feet back to health.
Repeat every four to twelve weeks, depending upon your farm conditions.