How to Trim a Goat's Horns

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Bone saw
Commercial disbudding iron
Caustic horn paste

Step 1:
Feel the kid's head every day. Rubbing the top of the head helps to identify when new buds are forming on the goat. When a nub or bud is felt, it is time to disbud the goat's horns. The earlier the horn can be removed, the better.
Step 2:
Identify scurs. Scurs are partial horn growths but not the entire horn. These growths are very much like fingernails and must be trimmed when found. Use a bone saw to trim off in 1-inch segments.
Step 3:
Use a disbudding paste to remove the goat's horns. Different from trimming, disbudding paste uses a chemical compound to burn off the horn over time. This option is somewhat controversial due to the possible discomfort for the goat.
Step 4:
Trim off only 1-inch sections of the goat's horns at a time. Trimming more may strike an underlying blood vessel, causing severe bleeding. Clean up any blood immediately and tend to the wound if the animal is injured.
Step 5:
Heat up a commercial electric disbudding iron to trim the goat's horns. This iron is available at most farm supply stores and farmer's depots. Consult with a veterinarian about the best way to iron down the specific goat's horns. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter.

Tips & Warnings

Use a disbudding box to immobilize the goat. This box helps to calm and secure the animal during the horn trimming process.
Keep antiseptics and medical supplies on hand when trimming the goat's horns. Stop bleeding immediately to avoid infection.
Wear eye protection and gloves when disbudding or trimming a goat's horns.

Resources

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