How should you prepare for your appointment?

Please read thoroughly

Goats, Sheep, and Mini Pigs

The best way that you can assist in keeping your animals as calm and stress-free as possible for their trim is by having ALL animals needing a trim locked in a small, secure pen or stall. Please remove all hazards from the pen for everyone’s safety (water troughs, feed buckets, balls, toys, loose metal, etc.) Keep all dogs/cats away from the animals to prevent accidents from happening.

For goat and sheep herds of (10+, preferably for smaller herds as well), an able-bodied person, owner or helper must be there at the time of the appointment to catch and hold the animals. While we do have equipment that helps hold most animals, it can’t be used safely for some animals, and not all animals fit. I am a hoof trimmer, not a wrangler or cowgirl. This does not apply to pigs.

If your animals are not locked up, and/or you do not have a helper for goats and sheep, you will be billed hourly rate of ($150/hour for herds smaller than 30 - $200/hour for herds of 30+), or your appointment will be cancelled, and minimum is due in full. Your animals must be locked up even if your believe that they are friendly, well-behaved, well-trained, or that you can lead them in after we arrive. These guidelines are in place to keep your animals safe, minimize stress, and keep us on schedule for all clients.

Special rules for mini pigs

Withholding food:

Do not provide any food, snacks, treats, or grazing, for at least 3 hours before your appointment. If needed, skip their meal until after the appointment is over. They may have water, but there should be no wallows, in the pen they are locked in as this will make them slippery, which is a hazard for everyone involved. Please remove water bowls when we get there.

Why?

Why is withholding food important? Pigs tend to scream in protest at times during the appointment (sometimes the whole time) it is just what they do. Having food particles in their mouths and fresh food in their bellies while they’re screaming while being rolled onto and laid on their backs may cause them to aspirate/choke/vomit or get aspiration pneumonia and we will not take that risk.

Do not try to sedate, or attempt to “calm” your pig(s) prior to their trim. Do not give them alcohol, benadryl, etc. This is a completely sedative/drug free process.

Please do not apply any lotion, sunscreen, baby oil, or anything that will make your pig slippery, because this makes our job very dangerous.

In multi-pig households, each pig should be in an individual pen. This is important as some pigs can be very territorial and protective when their friend is being handled, or people that they don’t know approach them.

Please do not try to help us catch or flip your pig unless otherwise requested, which is rare. Please resist the urge to give your pig belly rubs, or console your pig, as this usually does not help, in many cases it makes the pig more anxious. We try our best to remain calm, and we kindly ask that you do the same, as pigs (and animals) can sense our energy, and will react upon it. If you are anxious or scared, your pig will be too.

Hot days/months

On hot days, our work area should be shaded, out of direct sun, and well ventilated. Pigs are prone to heat related health issues so being in shade or a cool area, helps reduce stress, and possible risks. Being in a shaded area also helps prevent heat-stress in goats and sheep.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send us a message.