Career Profile: Hoof trimmer (Livestock)

This role, usually focused on cattle, plays a hugely important part in supporting overall animal health and productivity. Hoof trimmers are needed because hooves grow continuously and they often don’t wear down evenly or at the same rate they grow. This can lead to overgrowth and subsequent lameness.

This will affect the animal’s mobility, wellbeing and productivity – growth in beef cattle or milk production in the dairy sector. In addition to the impact on animals, it can also be serious financial issue.

A good hoof trimmer is a highly trained, experienced and skilled individual so they can appraise, evaluate and alter the shape of the horn on a cow’s foot. A hoof trimmer will therefore have extensive knowledge of bovine leg and foot anatomy. They will also be familiar with a wide range of foot lesions and their respective treatments.

The role is physically demanding. It can involve handling up to 50 animals in one day. For safe hoof trimming, cattle must be correctly handled, so as not to compromise their welfare, within a purpose-built and well-maintained foot trimming device known as a crush. This machinery holds the livestock safely and securely in an appropriate position while their feet are trimmed using specialist tools and a standardised technique. The modern fully hydraulic handling system reduces the physical work of the trimmer, allowing them to concentrate on trimming and low-stress cattle handling.

Most hoof trimmers travel to their clients and generally work on the cattle between milkings – typicall after 8am and before 3pm. Having a good working relationship with farmers built on successful interventions and excellent listening is a key skill hoof trimmers possess. This is definitely a job where experience is the largest factor in success, however starting out with solid training through the relevant providers, such as Lantra or the Cattle Hoof Care Standards Board, and receiving mentorship from expert hoof trimmers will set you up for success as a cattle foot trimmer.

The role is tremendously satisfying and most trimmers will say that knowing the animals will be more comfortable and more productive after their work is their greatest reward.

This role will involve travelling from farm to farm and you will need to have your own transport and equipment if you are running a small business as a contractor. It should be noted here that all equipment and the handling system – if it’s your own – will have to be subjected to biosecurity measures between sites. If you work for a larger organisation, such as a veterinary group that offers this service, they may provide the relevant equipment.