Why do sheep need their feet trimmed?

The ground that your sheep are kept or walk on regularly is a very important factor in influencing the development of foot problems in sheep. Unless you have a hilly, mountainous breed of sheep with access to dry land and rocky terrain, you will need to trim you sheep’s feet. Damp heavy land such as grassy paddocks and fields are a real problem for sheep as there is little resistance or friction to be able to naturally wear the hooves down. Some owners even lay a path of stone or concrete through to the sheep’s feeding/water trough, so that at least their feet have some contact with a firmer surface to aid wear on the hoof.

Some sheep may be kept indoors, especially during lambing time. This can make them more susceptible to foot problems as the hoof tends to grow more rapidly. It is important to make sure that the bedding is changed regularly so that there is a dry surface for the sheep to walk on and foot trimming may need to be done more often. Ideally, a free draining floor surface would help to keep any indoor area dry and this would be more beneficial for the sheep’s feet.

Anatomy of a sheep's foot

A sheep’s foot is made up of two halves with the horn-like “nail” growing on the outside edges surrounding a softer pad area. If left unattended, this nail will grow inward and under the foot, making the base uneven and it can grow into the softer padded part of the foot. At best this can be a little uncomfortable and affect the sheep’s gait slightly. However, this situation can rapidly deteriorate with dirt and stones becoming trapped under the overgrown nail. The ensuing pain and discomfort can cause lameness and the presence of foreign material may result in inflammation and infection, leading to a bacterial infection known as foot rot (commonly known for its typical offensive odour).

Regular foot inspection is therefore very important and foot trimming shouldn't be too onerous a task for the small-scale sheep keeper. By adhering to a routine, you'll soon get to know each individual’s particular foot type, trimming needs and hopefully spot quickly any problems before they become too serious.

It’s important to remember that not all foot problems can be resolved just by a good foot trim. If you have any doubts e.g. swelling or heat in the foot, possible foot rot or scald (also known as inter-digital dermatitis and caused by long grass or impacted faeces) and do not have the experience to deal with these problems, do consult a knowledgeable sheep farmer or your vet.

How often should I trim my sheep’s feet?

Ask a group of sheep keepers how often you should trim a sheep’s hooves and you’ll get many different answers, ideas and opinions on the matter. For lambs going to slaughter before a year old, a foot trimming may never be done at all. Some sheep will only have their feet trimmed once a year e.g. at shearing time or during vaccination. It certainly makes sense to multi-task where you can – there’s no point having to catch and restrain your sheep more often than necessary, as long as they’re not stressed out by too many procedures at once!!

Many sheep keepers, however, advocate 3-4 monthly inspections. That way, you can spot any problems very early on (don’t just look at the nail, examine the skin between the claws of the foot as well and around the hoof). It may not be necessary to trim the feet every time you check them but at least you've had the opportunity to make sure there are no imminent problems looming. For those owners who are a little tentative about foot trimming, taking off a small amount of nail little and often may be easier on the nerves than having to attack a very overgrown hoof once or twice a year!

It is much better to prevent problems before they occur – typically a lame sheep or one that is grazing on its knees may already have extensive foot problems that require considerably more input than a simple hoof trim.

Equipment needed for foot sheep trimming

• A good pair of trimmers/foot shears is important and can be purchased from a local farming shop.
• Hoof pick/brush.
• Anti-septic foot spray to reduce the risk of any infection.
• Antibiotic spray may be needed if foot rot or other bacterial problem is evident (you may need to discuss this with your vet/experienced sheep farmer).
• Old clothes/overalls and gloves – it’s a messy business!
• ? Foot bath – this should not be strictly necessary for the small flocks/pet groups but if you do have an infected sheep, one that needs more intensive treatment or are worried about spread of any infection, then you may consider this piece of equipment. A commonly used foot bath solution is zinc sulphate. Again, discuss with your vet.
• Blood clotting powder – just in case you miss!

Preparations for foot trimming

If you’re new to foot trimming, it is probably a good idea to try and arrange a visit to a local sheep farmer so that you can see an expert performing sheep foot trimming and have the opportunity to ask any questions, discuss any concerns and maybe get a chance to have a go under supervision.

When you are ready to begin trimming your sheep's feet yourself, preparation is important. You’ll need to have a stable surface and good light, and make sure you've got all your equipment to hand. As a novice, it is probably easier to enlist the help of at least one volunteer. Our first attempt involved the whole family – tipping a sheep on its rear end, holding it steady and trimming the feet. Sheep foot trimming may look simple when done by a professional but when you have a go yourself it can be a different matter!

Handling the sheep

It isn't possible to effectively visualise a sheep’s foot when they are stood up, so it does involve up ending them and rolling them over somehow. This can require some physical exertion on your part and some knowledge of basic sheep handling is another skill worth learning. There are easier assisted ways to do it as you can purchase roll over crates or sheep cradles. This may be a luxury that you can't afford or justify if you only have a few sheep and are able to get plenty of help.

Pet sheep may be easier to “encourage” with some sheep food or favourite treat but, whatever method you use, it is important to have your sheep secure on its rear end so that both you and the sheep aren't under too much strain. There’s no doubt that a fully grown sheep can be a handful and you don’t want to come away from the whole process needing major back surgery! A carefully placed bale of straw or upturned bucket for you to sit on as you support the sheep may help.

Usually, foot trimming is carried out by the person holding the sheep but there’s no law saying that this is the only way – we shared the job with one of us holding the sheep, one foot trimming, one bribing the sheep with food and the final family member taking pictures and passing equipment over!! We’re sure it’ll be easier next time (or, maybe we’ll get the shearer to do it then!!).

How to trim the sheep's feet

Before you actually cut away any of the nail, it’s important to clean away any dirt, stones, grass or faeces so that you can properly visualise the foot. Some people just use the hoof trimmers for this. We found it easier with a hoof pick. The pictures and video below show how to hold the sheep and how to actually cut the sheep's foot. It is very important to have a good clean and sharp pair of trimmers.

Pictures of sheep foot trimming

Once the hoof is relatively clean, you can inspect each foot, and check for any signs of infection, examine the skin between the claws and make a judgment about how much nail needs to be removed. The foot is delicate, so don’t get too carried away – you only need to remove any nail growth that is beyond the level at the bottom of the hoof, you’re basically just trying to make the foot even. Don’t panic if you do nick the foot by accident. Apply some blood clotting powder and keep an eye to make sure the wound is healing OK – some antibiotic spray may be needed if there’s any sign of infection taking hold.

Video demonstration of how to do sheep foot trimming

Job done!

After trimming the hooves, apply some foot spray and let the sheep back up, who will then usually give you an unthankful and indignant look before getting back to the usual business of chewing the grass. They may seem to limp off a little, if you have been overly zealous with the trimmers, just keep an eye on this it should improve over the next day or two, if not carefully re-inspect the sheep's feet to make sure that it is not becoming infected.

As with anything new sheep foot trimming seems a daunting task at first but, like all things, it does get easier and quicker the more you do it.

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