ID-135
In 4-H livestock programs members learn many aspects of the industry through "learning by doing" experiences. One of these experiences that is vital to the cattle industry is the proper trimming of hooves for better animal health and comfort. This publication gives the 4-H member a step-by-step description of how this task may best be accomplished, inexperienced members may want to acquire the assistance of an accomplished foot trimmer.
There is no definite season or time of year to trim feet because this can only be determined by the condition of the feet. When the toes become excessively long, nature will trim them as the cow or calf walks on hard ground; however, the result is usually a broken, unsightly hoof that continues to prevent natural walking. Long sled-runner toes also force an animal to walk on its heels, weakening the muscles and tendons to the legs and pasterns. Therefore, continually trim the feet of young animals while their legs are being formed.
Have someone lead your animal for you and take a good look at the way it stands and walks. A little help in getting the job started correctly can avoid a mistake that might be difficult to correct. Do the toes point out? Does the animal walk too far back on its heels? Do the legs look "sickle-hocked?" Is it "cow-hooked?" Can trimming the foot partially or completely correct this fault? These are questions that must be answered before a complete and accurate job of foot trimming is undertaken.
A sharp, wood chisel, a rubber or wooden mallet, a hoof knife, and a rasp are necessary tools for shaping the foot (Figure 1). A paint scraper, sandpaper. or emery cloth, pumice powder. mineral oil. and a cloth are necessary for finishing and polishing. Select a well-lighted area on a wooden floor or a four-foot by eight-foot piece of three quarter-inch plywood. The flat surface should be large enough in area to accommodate at least two of the animal's feet and preferably all four feet. The wood surface will protect the sharp cutting edge of the chisel and give the animal a natural standing position.
Shape the front toes with the wood chisel and mallet, taking off a little at a time until you have the foot properly shaped or until you reach the quick of the foot, whichever comes first (Figure 2).
After the desired shape is obtained, face toward the rear of the animal, stand close to it and slide your hand down the inside of the front leg to the ankle area. Next, gently raise the foot. As you lift the leg, keep hock and pastern joints flexed and close under the animal for better control of the leg (Figure 3).
A wooden box about fifteen inches high, makes a good stand on which to rest the foot.
Using the wood chisel, pare the sole of the foot so that the animal can stand flat and the foot is properly positioned (Figure 4). Trim the toe more than the heel. This way, the animal will carry its weight better and stand on straighter pasterns. Shape the sole of the foot slightly concave. This opens the toes far enough so that dirt, straw, and other debris won't cling between them. You can help some animals that toe out by trimming a little extra off the inside toe of the foot. Do not try to complete all the shaping or bottom trimming at one time. Take time to set the foot down, stand back and examine your work. Remember, you can't put it back after you've cut it off.
The rear feet can be shaped and trimmed in the same manner as the front feet. Since it is more difficult to keep the animal in position when working on rear feet, the use of a helper can make the job much easier. You can also keep the animal from moving sideways by standing it against a board fence. Be sure it is standing with its weight evenly distributed on all four feet. Again, stand very close to the animal, slide your hand down the inside of the leg to the ankle area, and lift gently. After the leg is raised, keep it flexed and close under the animal to prevent it from exerting undo force. Rest the foot on the box, then trim just as you did on the front feet.
After the general shaping of the hoof and trimming of the sole is completed to your satisfaction, file the rough edges and deep grooves with the rasp. The rasp may also be used to remove the coarse ridges in the hoof and the scale from the dewclaws. If the dewclaws are extra long, use the hoof nippers to clip them to the desired length.
Use paint scraper to remove rough ridges made by the rasp and the natural ridges grown in the hoof.
Sandpaper and emery cloth are excellent to put the finishing touches on the hooves and dewclaws. This is not necessary for animal health or comfort but may be desirable in preparation for a show.
Finally, some fine pumice powder mixed with light-grade oil and placed in a cloth sack makes a good tool for polishing a hoof. This will polish only, so don't expect to remove rough spots. Wipe off excess oil with a soft cloth.
It sometimes becomes necessary to "throw" a calf to trim its feet. This can be safely accomplished by two or three people using a rope hitch as illustrated in Figure 5.
The loop around the neck should be a bowline or some other knot that will not slip tight. Your helper can hold the halter while you get behind the animal and pull on the rope. When the two loops around the calf's body become tight, the animal will lose control of its legs and lie down. Caution should be used to prevent the animal from lying on any sharp objects, such as rocks, tools, etc. The calf will not get up as long as the loops around its body remain tight. The feet may be tied together for added safety and ease.
Hoof trimming is not an easy job. It cannot be satisfactorily performed in a short period of time. For best results, it must be a planned project designed to keep the animal walking correctly and its feet and legs growing straight.
Be gentle, work slowly and deliberately.
New 8/79
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H.A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to our programs and facilities.