Aetiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Control of Foot-Related Lameness in Dairy Sheep (Non-Compassionate Source) Dan Morrical joined the Iowa State University staff in 1984 as Extension Sheep Specialist after completing his doctorate degree at New Mexico State University. He held the rank of Full Professor as of July 1, 1995 and retired from full-time teaching in 2017. Residents may have a particular form of restraint that they are most comfortable with, so before you start trimming, take time to find a position that keeps them calm. Even if you have a go-to technique you prefer, you may find certain individuals or situations require something different, so it’s a good idea to get used to different forms of restraint. Sheep hooves are made out of keratin – the same protein that makes up our fingernails and toenails. And just like our nails, a sheep’s hooves are constantly growing. In the wild, a sheep would naturally wear down their hooves while walking and grazing, but in most sanctuary environments, hooves will not be worn down enough through activity alone. Therefore, it is our responsibility to trim our residents’ hooves regularly to ensure their comfort and health!

Both while evaluating the foot and while trimming, be sure to look for any signs of the foot issues described below. After the trimming is complete, observe the individual as they walk away. If they are showing signs of lameness or discomfort that were not present before the trim, it may be that one or more claws were trimmed too short. Be sure to watch them closely in the coming days, consulting with your veterinarian if the issue is severe or persists. Digital Multi-Stage Walkthrough At the major shows and sales, a person can walk around the barns and see a good number of Ketcham’s Trimming Stands because of the quality we have built into these stands. They are heavy enough to provide stability and to withstand the largest sheep out there. We are so confident of our stands and we want you to feel the same. All of our trimming stands are designed by us, made by us here in the USA.The headpiece is adjustable and comes with a sturdy plastic chain to avoid marking your sheep’s wool.

Pos/Neg fences can be converted to Pos/Pos in moist conditions. Remember, all fences must be kept free of vegetation. While this section discusses the trimming process, it is not a replacement for hands-on training. If at all possible, have a veterinarian or care expert give you hands-on training for this procedure! There are nuances in trimming technique that can not be conveyed through words alone. Side Rails–This add-on is nice for training sheep to use a stand, but they are generally only available on more expensive stands. I’ve personally never had this feature, because when I was trimming sheep for show the last thing I wanted was to have them lean on a bar after I spent 30 minutes carding their wool and trimming them. So I consider it a bit of a luxury for farm work on your stand.

Sheep Trimming Stand

The primary purposes of trimming a sheep’s hooves are to give them an even, comfortable walking surface to step on, and to clean out accumulated dirt and debris that might have gotten caught in their feet. Just like when trimming your fingernails, properly trimming a sheep’s hooves should not be painful. However, some individuals may take issue with the restraint required to properly assess and trim their hooves! Most farmstore solar units are too weak, in joules of output, to properly energize netting. That’s why we designed our own. Additionally you should pay careful attention to and consider the following options when selecting a sheep shearing stand: Dr. Morrical has been heavily involved in providing educational resources to the sheep industry. He has authored over 30 extension fact sheets, ration balancing software programs, grazing videos and co-authored the nutrition chapter of the SID Handbook with Dr. Margaret Benson from Washington State University. In some cases, you may need to trim the heel as well, but be very careful because this area is much softer than the hoof wall. If it appears that the sole itself may need to be trimmed, this must be done carefully and is best done by an experienced hoof trimmer or a veterinarian who will be better able to determine if the sole needs trimming and how much trimming it needs. Remember to always pay attention to the angle of the hoof, using the coronary band as a reference. An example of a trimmed sheep’s hoof.