With all the mud in the barnyard, it makes hoof care really difficult. They need attention because the hooves are soft and growing, and the white line disease is bad. With the mud, it allows the mud to get packed up between the hoof wall and the frog. That means painful feet. Unfortuantely, it’s really hard to trim feet when they are wet and slick with mud. It generally means someone gets hurt (usually me) when the hoof shears slip.
Cutie
Still, it has to be done, so I’ve been trying to get them taken care of. Myson just had his feet trimmed.
Myson
I actually did quite a few last weekend when the weather was nice and it was just a little muddy, not like when I took the pictures yesterday.
Ava was easy to do since she’s one of my milking girls. I just let her into the milk room. Wanda was limping, so I made sure to get her done. Her feet were actually pretty good. She just had mud stuck up between the toes, so I got that cleaned out for her.
Wanda and Ava
Cinnamon and Litha were similar.
Cinnamon
Reva is another story. I tied her in the barn and it wasn’t even muddy.
Reva (and mom, Litha behind her)
I got her front foot done while wrestling with her because she was being a brat. Then I went to the back foot, and just as I snipped, she kicked. This time, she’s the one who got hurt. I think I’d rather it be me that gets cut. Anyhow, I bandaged her foot, but the mud and wet weather isn’t letting it heal. If it still bleeds next time I take the bandage off, she’ll get a sock and plastic boot added to the dressing.
I told her to stand still, but she didn’t believe me.
Teresa
