Lab One: Goat Hoof Trimming

• Doe


  Female goat
• Buck


  Male intact goat
• Wether


  Castrated goat
• Kid


  Baby goat
• Kidding


  The act of giving birth
• Goats are generally docile and easy to handle.
• Signs of anger and defense in goats are raised hackles, stomping hoofs, sneezing, snorting, and rearing up on hind legs.
• Goats are ruminants and natural browsers.
• Goats are friendly, inquisitive, the ideal size and temperament for kids, easily trained, highly social and gregarious.
• Flight zone is the area around a goat where they will start to flee from you. They vary based on herd and individual animal.
• Goats are used for the production of meat, milk and fiber.
• Chevon


  Goat meat
• Mohair


  Angora fiber
• Cashmere


  Goat fiber, except Angora
• Angora

  
• Goats are identified with ear tattoos and ear tags.
• LaMancha and Pygmies do not have ear tattoos, instead, they have tail web tattoos.
• Goat registry associations do not accept ear tags.
• Hoof trimming prevents deformities and foot rot.
• Rough terrain can increase the time between hoof trimmings.
• In smooth conditions, hoof trimmings should occur every six to eight weeks.
• Diagram

  A) Ball

  B) Heel

  C) Sole/soft frog

  D) Toe

  E) Wall

  
• Regular trimming and inspections are needed to avoid overgrowth or foot problems within the herd.
• Frequency of trimmings will depend on the environment.
• The goal of trimming is to make the hoof flat and symmetrical to keep the goat walking correctly
• Proper trimming will remove all dirt and debris, trim the walls and heels flat with the sole, and treat any abscesses or footrot.
• Foot scald


  Inflammation or redness between the claws of the hoof that is not contagious.
• Foot rot


  Infection of the hoof that has a characteristic bad odor and is very contagious.
• Abscesses


  Bacterial infection of damaged hoof tissue
• Diagram

  A) Foot scald

  B) Foot rot

  C) Foot abscess

  
• LaMancha goats have a dominant pinnae reducing gene, resulting in very small ears.
• LaMancha goats wither have gopher ears, one inch, or elf ears, two inches.
• LaMancha goats are acceptable in all colors and patterns, adapt well to different climates and environments, and are calm, quiet, friendly, and easy to handle.
• LaMancha goats are a dairy breed.
• Boer

  
• Boer goats are one of the most common breeds. They are the largest breed and are a meat breed.
• Boer goats traditionally have a white body with a red head and neck, but they can also be solid dark or a dappled color. They also have large, pendulous ears.
• Boer goats are known for their docility, fast growth rate, and high fertility, but they are more susceptible to internal parasites in warmer regions.
• Savanna

  
• Savanna goats are an all white breed with dark pigmented skin to keep them cool and prevent sunburn.