Hoof Shears

Hoof Shears: Fast and Controlled on Soft Horn

In sheep and goats the horn grows faster than many would like, above all on soft pasture. With a pair of hoof shears you shorten it in a few cuts, without a machine and without lengthy preparation. The short blades slide neatly under the folded over wall, and you can see at every moment how much you are taking off. That keeps the job calm and controlled, even with fidgety animals.

Serrated or plain

The Burgon & Ball hoof shears for sheep and goats come in both versions. The serrated blade bites into smooth, hard horn and does not slip, while the plain one leaves a particularly smooth cut surface. The Kerbl Clawcut Pro is designed for sheep, goats and alpacas and still sits comfortably in the hand after a long run of animals. The Kerbl hoof shears for sheep are the solid choice for smaller flocks, and the FELCO hoof shears bring the firm build quality of proper tool making with them. If you are sorting out the fleece at the same time, the Drummer Boy and SuperShears sheep shears from Burgon & Ball are the hand shears for the job.

Handling and care

Sit the animal safely on its rump or hold it in a turnover crate, then it stays quiet and you have both hands free. Take the folded over wall back in small steps until the sole lies flat again, and stop as soon as the horn shows pink. After the job, get the muck and soil off, because dirt works into the joint and makes the action heavy. A drop of oil on joint and spring helps, and a sharp blade saves your hand. If footrot is suspected, disinfect the shears between animals so that you do not carry the organism through the flock.

Frequently asked questions

How often do sheep feet need trimming?
Two to four sessions a year is usual. On damp, soft ground the horn grows faster, on stony ground it wears down by itself. Take a quick look at every handling and trim as soon as the wall starts to fold over.

Shears or knife for small ruminants?
For the bulk of the work the shears are quicker, because the horn is a good deal softer than in cattle. You then use a hoof knife to open up pockets or to smooth the sole.

Can the shears be resharpened?
Yes, the blades can be brought back with a fine stone. Work flat along the existing bevel and only on the outer face. If the cut still feels blunt, the pivot screw is often simply too loose.

Hoof Shears for Sheep, Goats and Alpacas

Once the wall starts to fold over, shears are the quickest tool for the job. The Burgon & Ball hoof shears for sheep and goats come serrated for smooth, hard horn and plain for a particularly smooth cut surface. The Kerbl Clawcut Pro is matched to sheep, goats and alpacas and stays comfortable in the hand when a whole group is waiting. For smaller flocks the Kerbl hoof shears for sheep are plenty, and the FELCO hoof shears stand out for their firm tool making quality. If the fleece needs attention as well, you will find the Drummer Boy and SuperShears hand shears here. Keep joint and spring clean and oiled and any pair of shears will cut easily for years. And between animals, disinfect the blades whenever footrot is an issue in your flock.