Hpacres440p
Well-known member
I know there are some other threads on here (older) dealing with long feet, but this is a practical/functional question. 5 year old cow, bred back and going to wean off calf soon. We're way in a drought, so traveling distance is now comprised of water to hay ring, with very hard dirt, few rocks-not much travel to trim toes.
She is currently producing nice slaughter steers, so not super worried about passing on bad feet (I know most will say "trim them behind the ears"). Haven't had issues with her feet until this year, and as you can see, her hind toes are way long, chipping away a bit at a time. I even made a mud pit yesterday to try to soften them a bit for easier self-trimming. Fronts are doing ok.
So, if I get her in a working alley, what would be the best way to knock the long toes off? Long-handled nippers that don't require lifting the leg? Hammer and chisel? Let them go on their own? She's a little gimpy, no smell or sign of foot rot. Eating and doing everything else ok.
Happy dry 4th!
She is currently producing nice slaughter steers, so not super worried about passing on bad feet (I know most will say "trim them behind the ears"). Haven't had issues with her feet until this year, and as you can see, her hind toes are way long, chipping away a bit at a time. I even made a mud pit yesterday to try to soften them a bit for easier self-trimming. Fronts are doing ok.
So, if I get her in a working alley, what would be the best way to knock the long toes off? Long-handled nippers that don't require lifting the leg? Hammer and chisel? Let them go on their own? She's a little gimpy, no smell or sign of foot rot. Eating and doing everything else ok.
Happy dry 4th!