If you've got a little homestead farm going on, chances are you have sheep or goats... or maybe both! Their a lot of fun to have around and like chickens, they can be considered the "gateway drug" to more serious farming.
Both sheep and goats can provide your family with meat, milk, and fiber. Some might say goats are better for eating while sheep have better fiber, but the point is that they can both provide it for you.
When we got into goats and sheep, the goats were supposed to be for milk and the sheep for fiber. I got lucky at first by being introduced to a local woman who ran a "spinner's guild". Their group was in search of raw wool to process and spin into yarn at their twice-a-year "Fiber Retreat".
If your going to keep either goats or sheep, learning some basic veterinary skills can save you a lot of money. The first DIY skill you need to learn is how to trim their hooves.
How often they will need this done depends on several factors, such as how rocky your soil is etc but plan on at least twice a year.
As a homesteader, your going to be spending a lot of time with your animals and will know when by the gait and appearance of your animal's feet. A lot of people, including homesteaders, don't really know what a goat or sheep hoof is supposed to look like in the first place! What you're looking for is "level to the ground".
They make all kinds of special tools like shears, files, and knives for the job, but in all honesty all you'll really need is a good sharp knife with a medium length blade. As you'll see in the slide show, I use an old Sodbuster.
I wrap my restraining hand up with a bit of duct tape, just to prevent a glancing cut from shaving off a finger.
Sheep are funny: if you roll them over on their back, they get very still. Sure, they might kick a little (because someone is messing with their feet) but they aren't nearly as feisty as goats in this situation. I catch them by their horns or wool and as I roll them over onto their backs I slip their heads between my knees so they are belly up.
Watch the slide show to see my "technique":
Hope you enjoy it! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook @FlatFootFarmandEnterprise also!