Mama D,

Yes, she’s mixed with Boer.

My Nubian goats, including the kids, always seem to be pawing at something. Might just be something they do, although Mocha could probably use a hoof trimming as well. She is definitely part Nubian (classic Roman nose), but the way her ears stand away from her head tell me there’s something else mixed in as well. She’s a good-looking girl!

I’ve had goats for eight years, and I’ve never heard of a goat that didn’t need to have their hooves trimmed at least every three to four months. Some need it every month. Pictures of hoof trimming will show you this perfect square hoof that looks like a newborn’s hoof, but if you haven’t trimmed your goat’s hooves in a year, you won’t be able to get them in that shape without making them bleed profusely. Just nip off a little at a time until you’re to the soft part of the hoof. I tell new goat owners that it’s really like trimming your own nails — just cut off the part that is sticking out beyond the flesh. I put my goats on the milkstand to trim their hooves so they can’t decide to just leave in the middle of everything. The need to be restrained so that you don’t accidentally stab them or yourself. Those hoof trimmers are sharp, and I don’t think I’ve ever known a goat that didn’t kick at least once during the process.

I have a horse and when it gets really muddy I’ll go ahead and put a thrush treatment on her hooves just to prevent any problems. You can also use hydrogen peroxide I believe. I didn’t know about tee tree oil though – I’ll have to remember that.

Penny-

I’ll have to wait for the trimmers to come in the mail before I can work on her hooves

Good advice! Thank you for the reminder! I’ll have hubster check their hooves today!!