Hoof Trouble

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I have a doe that has one side of her hoof that I just cannot get into shape. It turns out causing her to go a bit knock kneed. I have just purchased an angle grinder hoping that that will help me. I've been trying to get it trimmed down right for two months and it's weird...like I can't get a bite on it. Can you tell me if I should use a masonry wheel on the grinder or a metal wheel? And should I just do a bit at a time? Thanks!!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Hi Doreen! For goats that come in with horrid feet, and for my old doe that broke her leg as a yearling, and it doesn't bend in the right direction for me to trim well, we use a belt sander. I hold the belt sander and husband applies the foot to it. This sands the sole and horn down flat, plus it is so hot that if you do all the grinding at one time down to a small amount of blood it cauterizes it and keeps it from bleeding. You will need to come back with your pruners and clip out any inside off that makes the heels touch. I know folks who use dremmel tools with the same type of sander on them that they use at the fake finger nail place, its tedious but must work for them. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Hi Doreen,

There is a small book called Nanny Manicures by Diane Gray that has been helpful to me. It explains different way to use trimming to correct the way the hoof grows. I have a doe that has splayed toes on one front foot. I learned to trim this one differently and it looks much better. Granted- sometimes nothing will help but it's worth a shot. Why don't you add this book to your last minute Christmas/Channukah/Kwanza wish list? Good luck.

-- Charleen with Obies in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), December 19, 2001.


Well I'm going against all traditions and not really even celebrating anything-(:smile:)- Let them make a card for that! THANKS a bunch for the reccomendations. I'll take a look around the web and see what I can find on the book. I am soooo thankful for this internet stuff. A lifesaver!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

Hmm. I thought I was original by using the dremmel! I thought I'd try it one day after watching the vets at Ohio State Vet School do the hooves of a 2800 pound bull. They strap him to a big table then rotate the table so the bull is on his side...anyway, they used a larger version of a dremmel on him as well as a 10" disk sander!! I thought then, I'd try the dremmel. It works quite well for troublesome hooves or hardened hooves from founder. Otherwise, I still like the trimmers best.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), December 20, 2001.

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