Goat specific hoof trimmers or garden tool?

[Our7Wonders]

I've spoken with several people who swear by the garden tools (pruners, I think?), saying they are MUCH better than hoof trimmers, and others who say NEVER use a garden tool, only a quality hoof trimmer. So which do you prefer, and why? I need to purchase some soon as I'd like to give my girls a good trim before they get close to their kidding dates and need a little help making a decision.

At this point I'm leaning towards the standard orange handle hoof trimmers that Hoegger sells - help me decide please.

Thanks

 

[ksalvagno]

I use the orange handle hoof trimmers. Just works really well for my hands. They are quality and I only recently sharpened a pair that I have had for over 10 years.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I second the hoof trimmers. Thats what I prefer. To me its seems to be a nice sharp quality blade. And they also fit well in my hand.

But I think it really depends on what "you" can work with. You want to be able to handle the tool well...I can imagine thats why people like differant things. Some people use knives. Me and my goats would be missing parts if I used a knife!!!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I second the hoof trimmers. Thats what I prefer. To me its seems to be a nice sharp quality blade. And they also fit well in my hand.

But I think it really depends on what "you" can work with. You want to be able to handle the tool well...I can imagine thats why people like differant things. Some people use knives. Me and my goats would be missing parts if I used a knife!!!

That's what my husband likes to use when we trim hooves together. It's actually one of those knives with the box cutter blades. Yeah. I would cut my finger OFF!

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

An additional question... If you have trimmers, is a file necessary, or just something to make them extra nice, or only needed when using a knife?

 

[sammileah]

i use kitchen shears.

 

[ksalvagno]

You shouldn't need a file when trimming the hooves with the trimmers. Just take your time and the nails will look just fine.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I dont file mine either...I use the trimmers and they come out nice!

 

[julieq]

I never could figure out how to file them down, or maybe I don't have that much patience. I used the green handled goat clippers for our ND's and mini's. But I also have a small pair of Fiskar garden shears that would work fine on the younger stock.

 

[glenolam]

I use some nice, cheap $6 pruners from TSC. Black handle, nice and sharp....much much better than the green handle hoof trimmer I initially bought!