Pigstacio overgrowth trim
Here he is!
We were able to rope a friend in to video for us so we will be able to film both front and back. We are starting in after the flip.
Please feel free to ask questions!
On average, it takes me 6-10 minutes to finish a single foot on a pig.
We primarily use the Hoof Boss to take most of the length and depth off. Then we follow that up with the Milwaukee dremel to smooth the hoof wall and add the final touches.
This pig specifically has a lot of layer that is slightly flaky. The balance of the hoof is affected by the callous that is built up on the pad.
Ideally, when a pig walks, they make contact with the whole hoof, not just parts of the hoof. It is our job to adjust the hoof until that is achieved.
Please feel free to press and use 1.5x speed. This is a 6:32 minute long video of what we do.
Her Animals Hoof Care
Local to Houston
Servicing the triangle of Texas plus some surrounding areas.
A muddy trim!
This is our time to ask that any clients who have outdoor pigss have their pig secured in a pen out of the mud prior to trim.
We totally understand when it's hot pigs want and need to wallow. Trying to flip a wet pig is not only dangerous for the pig, but also for us.
It is also harder on our equipment to trim if hooves are dirty. A disc that could normally last me 3 months gets worn in half that.
Thankfully this little lady froze in place once we had a hold of her so there was no injury to any of us. Just LOTS of mud.
Her Animals Hoof Care
Videos always make me happy.
Being able to return and see what I did step by step is much easier to nitpick and perfect than a before and after photo.
Truly recording only happens when we either have an extra set of hands or the pig we are trimming is incredibly chill. Fronts are much easier to film than rear because Michael can hold the camera without needing both hands on the piggy.
We thought it would be a perfect time to touch base on our mottos.
> Safety of pig first, human safety second.
> Progress over perfection
> Comfort over pretty
> Less is more
For a lot of things I follow my gut instinct and what I was taught. I would rather not take enough and be able to go back in than take too much and have damage to work around.
I'm personally not at all happy with how many tusk trims I'm seeing that are taken to the gum. There is a natural discoloration on 95% of tusks that marks a safe and healthy trim line.
Both top and bottom tusks contain a pulp. The pulp in the top has a direct connection to the sinus cavity. IF you are trimming tusks there should almost always be at least a knuckles worth of growth left behind.
Trimming to the gumline runs major risks. The gum can grow over the stump of tusk, causing pain later on. The pulp could be exposed depending on the gumline along the tusk. An infection can take root if the gum or pulp is compromised.
Never, ever feel like you can't ask questions. I will HAPPILY answer what I know, research what I don't, or point you in the direction of someone who does.
I am a sponge for animal knowledge and I'm always learning more. Today was our first full day back at trimming and I have to admit it's kind of like starting at the beginning. Seven pigs was probably too many while still coughing, but we did it!
We hope everyone had a safe 4th of July and those that were in the path of Hurricane Beryl are safe.
We may have found our apartment over the long week! Excited to be back home tomorrow.
Houston routes should begin locally starting August 15th.
We will keep everyone posted. 🥰
Trimming Libra the sassafras piggy's toes! LIVE trimming Q&A.
FAST FORWARD to 27 minutes if you'd like to skip to the flip and trimming portion. All informational dumping happens between 2:30 to 25 minutes & 56:30 is the start of tool/gear overview.
Sidenote: both Libra & Ren10 are being treated for mites. Ren10 allows physical touch which has allowed me to give him sulfur treatments, Libra doesn't so her treatment is a bit long winded.
Shout out to Hoof Boss, Milwaukee Tool, Dewalt, HexArmor / SafetyGloves by HexArmor for all the great things we use to do our day to day jobs. Also, 5.11 Tactical for the pants. I will never not recommend this brand. While they've been torn by sheep & goat hooves, my skin has been protected. I'll be screen recording and posting a tool overview separately if you'd like to use.
I literally love her! 🥰 She reminds me so much of my fave big girl Dixie Do.
We had the absolute privilege of doing Charlie & Lulu in the same week. Charlie was formerly our largest piggy client, but Lulu's magnificent height knocks him out of the waters.
It's crazy what a year of doing larger "mini" pigs will do to your definition of a "big pig".
On a more serious note.
We want to say that if your pig can be safely flipped, we will absolutely provide hoof care. Pigs who are over 400lbs and/or are closer to 5.5+ feet in length present a higher safety risk.
The flip/roll has to be timed perfectly to prevent damage to the spine and legs when being maneuvered. That maneuvering, especially with our lovably larger pigs, is recommended to be done with a team because of the risks.
The animals safety is number one for us. We are actively trying to secure a lift or tilt chute for larger pigs, but the grants we are trying to get take a lot of time, patience, and have no guarantee of being approved.
We will never rope, tie, yank, drag, or otherwise risk the dislocation, herniation, or breaking of your pigs limbs and spine to complete a trim. While trims are a necessary "evil", they should not cause harm or irreparable damage to your animal.
♡ Tori & Michael
Her Animals Hoof Care
SCHEDULED ROUTES
These are our larger routes. The routes that we try to do as frequently as we can, but are based on how many people book.
Standalone trips are those that are made for less than the minimum number of stops.
Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio require a minimum of 3 people (one whole day of trimming).
Louisiana requires a minimum of 8-10, depending on the locations of those schedules.
We do not want to charge standalone trip fees for any route but we cannot afford to make trips for less than the minimum unless those fees are paid. We are a small business trying to survive in this economic climate. Those trip fees really do decide whether or not we travel. If there's a route you would love for us to make, we need to reach that minimum number.
Lubbock, San Angelo, El Paso and others further West of us cannot be made the way our Dallas and Houston routes are because we have to cover lodging as well. We are beyond blessed to have family who hosts us while in Dallas & Houston.
We put our heart and soul into what we do, and we want to continue to provide for as long as you'll have us. 🌻
♡ Tori & Michael
We are worried that few are seeing our posts! Could you comment or react to this to help us figure out what people are actually seeing?
When you support small, you're supporting a young family. YOU make the differences in the day to day. Your support is what keeps us going when things get tough.
Thank you to the commenters, the reactors, the sharers, the hype people, and let's not forget those who routinely book with us! 😘🥰 “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller.
♡ Tori & Michael
Join us as we trim Renny, our pet KuneKune. We will be going over the dos and donts, how to flip a pig, maintenance hoof care, and so much more!
