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Guide

How to trim goat hooves

A plain-English walk-through for goat keepers: what you need, how often to trim, how to do it safely, and when to stop and call a vet.

Goat hoof shears and a hoof rasp, both with the E74 ring mark etched on the steel

General information for keepers, not veterinary advice. If you have never trimmed a goat before, ask your vet or an experienced keeper to show you in person first.

What you need

  • Hoof shears or nippers that are clean and sharp. Goat hoof shears are made for this job.
  • A hoof rasp to level and smooth the cut edges, such as the 18 inch hoof rasp.
  • A hoof pick or stiff brush to clear mud and bedding.
  • Gloves, and sturdy shoes for yourself.
  • A way to hold the goat still: a milking stand or stanchion, or a helper.
  • Blood-stop powder or a clean cloth, in case you nick the sole.
  • Disinfectant for your tools between animals.

Price is on request for our veterinary tools. Send us a request and we reply with a written quote.

How often to trim

A common rule of thumb is every six to eight weeks, but it depends on the goat and the ground. Hard, rough ground wears hooves down. Soft or wet ground lets them grow longer. Look at the feet every time you handle the goat, and trim when the wall grows past the sole, folds over, or the toes start to point up. Do not wait for a limp.

What a healthy hoof looks like

A goat foot has two toes, often called claws. Each toe has a hard outer wall, a softer sole inside it, and a heel at the back. On a well-kept hoof the wall is level with the sole, the sole is flat, the heel is low, and the toes point straight ahead. On an overgrown hoof the wall curls under the sole or flops to the side, the toes grow long, and the goat may stand rocked back on its heels.

Before you start

  • Pick a day after rain, or a time when hooves are softer. They cut more easily.
  • Work in good light, in a quiet spot, when the goat is calm.
  • Check your tools are clean and sharp. Dull shears crush the hoof and make the job harder.

Step by step

  1. Secure the goatStand the goat on a milking stand or stanchion, or have a helper hold it standing. Keep your head clear of the horns and the feet. Some keepers offer a little feed to keep the animal calm.
  2. Lift one footLift one foot and support the leg gently. Do not pull it out sideways or twist it, and put it down if the goat struggles.
  3. Clean the hoofUse a hoof pick or stiff brush to clear mud, manure and bedding from both toes and from the gap between them.
  4. Look before you cutFind the wall, the sole and the heel. Note any bad smell, heat, swelling, or grey or crumbly tissue. If you see any of these, stop and read the foot rot section below.
  5. Trim the wallStarting at the toe, cut away the part of the wall that grows past the sole. Take small slices, not big bites, and keep the shears flat against the sole.
  6. Level the heelTrim the heel so the foot sits flat. The wall should be level with the sole, and the heel should not stand higher than the toe.
  7. Stop at pinkWhen the sole looks pinkish or damp, or the goat flinches, stop. You are close to living tissue. If you nick it, press a clean cloth on it or use blood-stop powder.
  8. Rasp the edgesUse the rasp in flat strokes across the bottom of the hoof to level it and take off sharp edges. Check the foot looks level from heel to toe and across both toes.
  9. Check the other toeRepeat on the second toe of the same foot, then set the foot down and watch the goat stand. It should put weight evenly on both toes.
  10. Finish and clean upRepeat on each foot. Wash your hands, then clean and disinfect your tools before using them on another animal.

Safety

  • Keep your fingers clear of the blades, and cut away from your body.
  • Do not rush. If the goat panics, let it go and try again later.
  • Never trim until it bleeds. Leave a little extra rather than cutting too deep.
  • Keep children and pets away while you work.
  • Clean and disinfect tools between animals. Do this every time after trimming a goat with a foot problem, so you do not carry infection to the rest of the herd.

Signs of foot rot, and when to call a vet

Foot rot is a bacterial infection of the tissue between the toes and under the hoof wall. Common signs are:

  • A sudden limp, often on one foot, or a goat that kneels to graze
  • Red, swollen or sore skin between the toes
  • A strong, bad smell from the foot
  • Grey, soft or crumbly tissue under the hoof
  • Hoof wall that separates from the foot

Foot scald is a milder problem that looks like red, moist skin between the toes. Either one is worth showing to a vet.

Call a vet if:

  • The goat is still lame a day or two after trimming
  • The foot is hot, swollen, or has pus
  • There is a bad smell or soft grey tissue
  • Bleeding does not stop
  • The goat will not put weight on the foot
  • More than one animal is limping
  • You see a crack, an abscess, or an injury you cannot explain

Ask your vet about treatment. Do not guess at medicines or doses. Keeping feet trimmed, clean and as dry as you can helps prevent problems.

Tools for the job

E74 makes both of the tools used in this guide. Look at the goat hoof shears and the 18 inch hoof rasp, or see the whole veterinary range.

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