Hooves & Hoof Trimming

animals that are fed a high protein or energy diet

may need their hooves trimmed more often.

Artiodactyls

Artiodactyls are even or cloven hooved animals. A cloven hoof is a split hoof with two digits or toes. Other cloven hooved animals include deer and cattle.

Untrimmed hooves

can trap moisture and dirt and leave an animal susceptible to foot rot. In addition, if the toes are allowed to get too long, it can cause stress to the pastern joint and the rest of the leg, causing lameness.

the farm we trim our sheep and goat hooves

every three to four months.

tools used to trim a sheep or goat's hoof

hoof trimmers and/or a knife. The wall and sole are cut in order to create a flat surface, allowing the animal to bear weight evenly across the hoof. From a side view, there should even depth from the toe to the heel along the coronary band. Care must be taken to avoid cutting too deep and making the animal bleed.

hoof

is primarily made up of keratin, which is a strong protein compound also found in fingernails and hair. Sheep & goat hooves must be trimmed regularly in order to allow the animal to walk properly, prevent a variety of hoof problems and lameness.

Animals that are housed on hard surfaces will

naturally wear their hooves down faster, needing less trimming.

How often an animal's hooves need to be trimmed depends on

on the environment which the animal is kept (ground surface) and the nutrition it receives.