What the heck is up with goat hoof trimmers???!!!

[that's*satyrical]

You would think when someone was making a product for a specific purpose that the product would be able to perform its job well. So I get the orange handle goat hoof trimmers that others have raved about. I was just going to get pruning shears like the breeder I got my baby from suggested, but since these things got 5 stars and I was already ordering from Jeffers & needed $60 to get free shipping I figured I'd give it a shot. Big mistake!! They suck! They are not sharp enough to cut butter let alone trim hooves. How can you make a product for something specific & have it be such a complete fail??? Sorry, had to vent, off to find the pruning shears....

 

[RareBreedFancier]

I'll have to look up the ones your talking about. I just use my horse hoof trimming gear on the goats, works great and was 'free' since I already had it.

 

[that's*satyrical]

These new goats hooves are ridiculously long & I asked the lady I bought them from to please trim before I picked up the goats...she said she did, but....doesn't look like it. Then I tried the trimmers (she gave me the same ones I bought with the goat purchase) and I see WHY she didn't trim them first......

 

[ksalvagno]

Wow, I have had my orange handled trimmers for over 12 years and have only had to sharpen them once. I have 2 pairs and they work great for me. Maybe you just happened to get a bad pair or something.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

I have those same trimmers, they come in green too at TSC, and I like them. EXCEPT when you are dealing with a hugely overgrown foot that has solidified. Then you almost need a dremmel tool. For regular trim ups they are faboo and you will get much use out of them once her feets are not encased in concrete like hoof material.

We acquired a grossly malnourished nubian mix last year that had cement blocks for hooves. They were overgrown, super thick and rock hard. It took my husband and some roofing shears to get through them. After 6 mos of actual feed and minerals her feet were much better.

 

[that's*satyrical]

What do you use to sharpen them? My husband told me you can't sharpen them. He probably just doesn't feel like doing it...lol

 

[20kidsonhill]

we don't like the orange handle onse either, The greenish blue handled onse are sturdier. They are a little bigger than the orange, so if you have real small hands the green onse take some getting used to.

 

[20kidsonhill]

What do you use to sharpen them? My husband told me you can't sharpen them. He probably just doesn't feel like doing it...lol

My husband sharpens ours. Not sure what he uses, I think he just grinds them. like when he sharpens the lawnmower blades.



this reminds me that I have always wanted to try the accusharp brand of knife sharpener on the hoof trimmers, but I have never gotten the one I need.

We love the accusharp knife sharpener that we have. It is very safe to use, and sharpens quit well. for just a little hand held sharpener.

http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-008-Tex...6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1318507761&sr=1-6


There is also a garden tool version and a scissors version(sharpens blade on one side). I have always wanted to try them, but have not gotten around to ordering them.

 

[that's*satyrical]

I have those same trimmers, they come in green too at TSC, and I like them. EXCEPT when you are dealing with a hugely overgrown foot that has solidified. Then you almost need a dremmel tool. For regular trim ups they are faboo and you will get much use out of them once her feets are not encased in concrete like hoof material.

We acquired a grossly malnourished nubian mix last year that had cement blocks for hooves. They were overgrown, super thick and rock hard. It took my husband and some roofing shears to get through them. After 6 mos of actual feed and minerals her feet were much better.

hmmm this is good to know. I think hubby has a dremmel tool. Looks like he'll be doing some 1st time clipping for the girls....

 

[daisychick]

My 2 new does had really hard outer hooves when I got them. I had to use my horse hoof trimmer to get the hard stuff off and then I could clip the rest with the regular goat trimmers. Then if you keep it maintained the smaller trimmers work every time.