Her Animals Hoof Care - "Mini" Pig Trimming

Her Animals Hoof Care - "Mini" Pig Trimming Her Animal's Hoof Care provides specialized hoof care for pigs. No matter if you're a farm, homestead, or private owner.
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Services for goats/sheep available on case by case basis.

Not only is this incredibly accurate 😏 but this is also a fantastic representation of piglet toes! The goal for shape an...
01/30/2025

Not only is this incredibly accurate 😏 but this is also a fantastic representation of piglet toes!

The goal for shape and balance is to match their original shape as best as possible. This, right here, is what I mean when I say piglet toes.

Injury, growth pattern, lifestyle, nutrition, and even the way their toes are trimmed play key roles in their shape long-term.

Who stole your heart? Post pictures in the comments. 🥰

Life has been lifing a lot recently. It's left me extremely overwhelmed and lacking in my response times for scheduling....
01/29/2025

Life has been lifing a lot recently. It's left me extremely overwhelmed and lacking in my response times for scheduling.

I see you (like Tawny in photo). I'm tackling the responses as I have the sit down time. I promise I won't intentionally miss you. If you don't hear back by this Friday just shoot me another reminder that you're still in need. 🥰

We won't ever send mass texts, but sometimes those would be easier 🤣 Yesterday's car problem shifted our Gatesville rescheduled route again.

> Leander and surrounding can be done February 4th.
> The next N. Houston route is scheduled for February 6th.
> We're expanding our reach on the 7th to include Jonesboro & Gatesville areas.
> February 9th we will do a standalone route in Louisiana (Folsom/Bogalusa). Next full route is scheduled for April and is almost full for that half of S. Louisiana.
> Austin locals will be done on February 11th where I was wrong before. We will be working from Buda UP TO Crawford.
> February 13th is a S. Houston or Houston in general route; working north (Woodlands) to south (Galveston).
> Out of state the 17th-21st.
> Llano is going to be snagged on the 25th or can be grouped with Leander as we still have 2 extra slots remaining.

01/29/2025

𝐏𝐈𝐆 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐒𝐓 🤭
Farrier:
(Noun)
A craftsman who trims and shoes horses' hooves.

The word “farrier” is derived from the Latin root “ferrum” meaning “iron”. A farrier has skills closely related to blacksmithing in that they work with iron to shape shoes to fit any type of horse hoof—normal or defective. Most horseshoes are nailed in, while some are glued on.

Do we nail shoes on pigs? No!
Do we glue shoes on pigs? Well, that was a trial run but unfortunately that too was quite the feat.
Have we created a layer of protection on the underside of the hoof on thin, weaker hooves? Yes.

The reason we chose the name The Mini Pig Farrier was because of my background in website building, small business growth, and search engine keyword optimization.

Here’s a walkthrough of what our initial research and observations in mini pig groups found:

- An individual becomes a pig parent
- That pig parent learns they have an animal with hooves
- That pig parent thinks of what type of professional trims hooves

So they either A:
- Contact a vet
Or B:
- That pig parent contacts a farrier

If the vet doesn’t trim at their clinic, many times they’ll refer a livestock trimmer or mention to try a farrier

Flip back to the farrier part for a second:
- Most (not all) farriers either laugh at the idea of trimming pig hooves before saying “no” or flat out don’t respond back. Eek. That’s frustrating. And sadly we’ve heard those stories hundreds of times.

So, knowing the first part of the process in searching for a [pig] hoof trimmer, the keywords someone may search [pig hoof trimmer] [pig hoof trimming] [pig farrier] [farrier for pigs], The Mini Pig Farrier®️ name was born.

What many of our long standing clients and followers know is I’ve worked countless hours in between and during routes to get our name, our services, and educational content into the mini pig community ranked higher on search engines as a one-woman social media management and website builder guru. What many don’t know is this skill has been built over six years of fiddling as a hobby, building other small business sites, and investing in many training courses on website building, social media management, branding, graphics design, and advertising.

John always said I was the brains of the operation—I’m just now giving myself that credit. 🤓

So when someone says they’re looking for a “pig farrier”, they technically don’t exist. 🤯

Pig trimmers, however, do. ✅

The cool thing about this all is: we know from our name, we’ve created a buzzword phrase now used most commonly in the mini pig community.

Oh, and by the way, The Mini Pig Farrier IS a trademarked and legally protected name (thanks Eldredge Law Firm).

Toodles!
💚 Kate

P.S.
John did not proof the image posted, so if the next post takes a little longer to send out, it’s because cell signal is even more spotty from the dog house…

Let's talk about pig (and dog) behavior. Most pups, in particular, are too young to understand social cues that aren't i...
01/29/2025

Let's talk about pig (and dog) behavior.

Most pups, in particular, are too young to understand social cues that aren't inherent to the species.

If you hear the pup yelp once and turn away, that says to any other puppy that was too rough, and I need a break.

A pigs cues are much different. A pig will head swipe, charge, chomp/foam, and posture their body when they aren't playing. Chomping with hawk hair raised is a very good indicator that that pig is angry.

To break this down even further;
The dog felt as though their play session got out of hand.
The pig felt that they won that round and is now the leader of the herd.

Piglets are born fighting. The strongest piglet gets the best position at the milk bar. The strongest pig is the one that leads the herd. The strongest pig gets what they want.

This isn't behavior to encourage when it comes to humans and dogs. This behavior is only acceptable with other pigs. This is how they sort who is who in the hierarchy. This is how pigs who don't know one another become best friends.

What should be done during the height of dog/pig interaction was the owner walked towards pig, pressing gently and firmly into shoulder until the pig turned away. That would have been owner establishing top hog. Not only would that secure owners position as leader, but it would have quelled the behavior between both dog and pig to preserve their bond later on.

Dogs and pigs CAN get along for years before the dog finally has enough and snaps. It doesn't take a lot, and it's never meant to be dangerous, but it does end up being that way.

It's rarely the animals fault because dog behavior and pig behavior are completely different from one another. They're trying to coexist speaking two different languages and having two different methods of sorting hierarchy.

What a difference a year can make! The photos are of the same pig almost exactly a year apart. I'll be the first to admi...
01/28/2025

What a difference a year can make!

The photos are of the same pig almost exactly a year apart. I'll be the first to admit that the first trim haunted me every single time I scrolled past the photos.

There were more layers I could have taken on the front feet. There was more dremel work that could have been done around the pad of the hoof on all feet. None of it felt "complete" despite it being better than what she started with.

The incredibly high standard I hold myself to wouldn't allow me to sit with "any hoof care is better than no hoof care or progress over perfection." The level of detail I couldn't achieve because my dremel had died on the previous trim was absolutely maddening for a really long time.

All of this to say that my first attempts at trims without Uncle John critiquing over my shoulder every step of the way are absolutely nothing compared to the trims I do now nearly 3 years into it. And the fact is, while this trim was better, it still isn't what my mind sees as a completed trim because of the absolute smallest details like the extra heel on the medial toe on the front right hoof.

Her balance is wonderful. Her toes were much quicker to trim because I had more knowledge and experience. What took me an hour last time barely took me 45 minutes this time. She was making better contact with her toes this go around than she did last time.

The more you learn, the more you can apply to future trims. What was my best over a year ago is my mediocre now. Despite it being an agricultural service, hoof care to the betterment of the animal is an art craft. It takes time to hone it. Take the time.

"ANY HOOF CARE IS BETTER THAN NO HOOF CARE."
"PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION."

♡ Tori

What do you see? Are there areas you would apply the dremel? Where & why? Please feel free to doodle on the photo in com...
01/27/2025

What do you see? Are there areas you would apply the dremel? Where & why?

Please feel free to doodle on the photo in comments! I would love to see what you see.

Let's also note that both photos are before I used the dremel. There are a few areas I applied use of the dremel. Not only to smooth out the surfaces, but to balance areas that were too thin for Hoof Boss use again.

01/25/2025

Hey TMPF fam! Long time no see, I know. 🫣 I am still around, peeking into groups every now and again helping pig parents. I’ve noticed there is still so much misinformation still floating around regarding hoof and skin care. There are also some questionable hoof trim and dental practices being implemented by trimmers that are cringe- and vet-bill-worthy.

Every so often I come into conversation with someone not in the pig community who doesn’t know much about our past. When asked if I miss it, I say parts of it. The parts I miss include the data collection and the techniques we formed and evolved. Most importantly how all of this developed to educate the larger community as a whole, meeting some awesome people and critters across the USA.

So my question is, if I were to begin hosting monthly webinars or zoom calls to educate and offer Q&A surrounding certain topics, is this something that would be of interest? And if so, is there a particular day and time of the week that would be best to pop in live?

Think about it over the weekend and get back to me. I’ll be at Faire of Champions in Palestine, TX this weekend and next weekend if you wanna tell me in oerson. 🤪

Over and Snout,
Kate 💚

01/24/2025

This is the hydraulic lift we are interested in having fabricated for our bigger clients. We know there is a huge gap in hoof care for the larger kiddos. We would like to fill it.

Hydraulic Lift

#1 "Small"
Capable of 1000lbs
$7,000 w/trailer

#2 "Large"
Capable of 2500lbs
$10,000 w/trailer

• 10% down to start fabrication
• Delivery is $3/mile or pickup in New Mexico
• Sides of both sizes telescope to the appropriate width.
• Tow package with install is $500.
• Additional 3% raised for the rescue with patent on the lift

Total for "small" would be: $9,750.00
Total for "large" would be: $13,650.00

If this is something you'd like to see us achieve, please comment below! We would love to see if we could make this happen via donations/grant/loan.

For those just finding us, this is our newest route schedule for February.  We are completely booked for the remainder o...
01/24/2025

For those just finding us, this is our newest route schedule for February. We are completely booked for the remainder of January. Weather has been our biggest setback recently.

For 2/7 [BELTON], we have limited openings in a SMALL radius. We will only be working in a 15-mile radius of Belton.

2/11 [Austin&Waco], we will primarily focus on the Austin area unless we can fill in the gaps. Starting near Crawford and working our way down toward Buda.

2/25 [LLANO] was previously scheduled for 2/20, but we will not be in state during that time.

If you are interested in any of the routes above, please send us a text to 737-235-8072.

At minimum, we need a name & location when you're sending a text. Otherwise, we have no idea who we are talking to and what area you're located in.

♡ Tori & Michael
Her Animals Hoof Care

One of the largest misconceptions of pig hoof care is that they have a quick. They don't. Pigs have what is similar to o...
01/23/2025

One of the largest misconceptions of pig hoof care is that they have a quick. They don't.

Pigs have what is similar to our nail bed, but called a sole in layman's terms. You know how when you smash your finger in a door and the nail that grows out is a bit wonky? Imagine that, but with a pig hoof.

If you cut into blood on the pig hoof, you've cut into the soft tissue that protects the bone. The soft tissue acts as a shock absorber. It reduces the impact that happens with each step taken.

In the image below, there is a marked difference between how I trimmed each toe. The larger lateral toe, I balanced to the smaller medial toe.

The sole in the medial toe sits lower than the sole of the lateral toe. The first time I trimmed this pig, I took the layer of the medial too far.

When she would stand her medial toe pointed into the air instead of resting flat on the ground. This is where the balancing of hooves becomes an art form.

This trim, I took less layer off of the larger lateral toe so that it matched the balance of the smaller medial toe. It is with that balancing that both of her toes tend to wear the same instead of one being worn in a normal pattern versus one being worn into a curl towards the sky.

Photos nested in comments. While it is definitely personal choice, it is highly recommended that if you're working with ...
01/23/2025

Photos nested in comments.

While it is definitely personal choice, it is highly recommended that if you're working with livestock that you wear protective gear.

I get lazy with my face mask and protective eye wear, but I never ever skimp on gloves.

An accident I had with my personal goat taught me that working with livestock almost always required safety gear.

Michael had a recent run in with a pigs dew claw that was a layer of skin away from entering the realm of being degloved 😂

Learn from us. Cause we unfortunately don't heed warnings until we've paid the price.

The photo of my perpetrator; Petey Pete.

For the long term health of all companion pigs, spaying and neutering is almost (and should be) a requirement. Here are ...
01/22/2025

For the long term health of all companion pigs, spaying and neutering is almost (and should be) a requirement.

Here are 5 reasons why we are huge spay/neuter advocates:

1. There are TOO many unwanted companion/pet pigs out in the world. 9:10 pet pigs are rehomed at least 3x before their 1st birthday and many of them are rehomed due to behaviors that could have been prevented with spay/neuter.
2. If these animals are not fixed they have a high probability of contracting a reproductive cancer or tumor as they get older.
3. If pigs aren’t spayed or neutered they have AWFUL behavior. An unaltered female pig becomes a raging hormonal lunatic every 21-23 days and an unaltered male pig typically tries to mount anything he can get his front legs around. Both genders tend to have some kind of behavioral issue when left unaltered leading to pigs needing to be rehomed.
4. Intact pigs are known escape artists and ROAM. Males will roam to find a female in heat and females will roam to find an intact male. They have an intensely keen sense of smell that will lead them right to the closest partner.
5. The mismanagement of breeding that is happening is killing our pet pigs. Animals that used to live an average of up to 15-20 years are now only living 10-15 years.

In further discussion of the pros for each gender; we've quoted a few sources below.

♂️Males are very “active” and can be found mounting anything in sight. This could be you, your kids, the dog, bedding, other animals, etc. Males can become aggressive and are easily frustrated. They can become sexually mature as early as 8 weeks. Their tusks are testosterone-fed and will grow faster and will need trimming more frequently if left intact. Males also become aroused at the slightest excitement and will ej*****te. They also SMELL. Ask a farmer about boar taint.

♀️ Females have a heat cycle every 21-23 days when left intact. Their heat cycle is physically obvious in swelling and color (they do not bleed). They can become territorial and mean when they are in heat. They can attack their humans, their herd members, other animals, children… training in a heat cycle is nearly impossible and your pet pig will often not listen. Intact females are often destructive and also mark their territory with urine. Females can become sexually mature as early as 12-16 weeks old! Uterine tumors are the number one cause of death in intact females. These tumors can become massive quickly and are often inoperable.

It is safer to spay and neuter before your pig matures in size. Pigs are incredibly sensitive to anesthetic and have a higher likelihood of hard recovery the older they are.

One of the few they seem to do the best on is ISO gas and even that at a certain age/weight can render them out of the norm for days after use. The more fat a pig has, the harder it is to sedate properly, and the harder it is to properly suture the site closed and keep it closed.

Of the 53 total pigs I sent in for spay/neuter, I lost 3. One with a heart defect that wasn't found until in active surgery and 2 who had an unknown infection until we were playing catch up. All three of those pigs came from the same unhealthy, overcrowded, and mucky conditions.

Spaying & neutering is preventative care for the long-term health of your companion pig.

01/22/2025

One of our first trims back at it was our largest client, Lulu, whose estimated weight sits in the mid 500's.

She is one that if she wanted to, she absolutely could get up. It is a blessing that once she's flipped, she essentially lays in her mom's lap and allows us to trim her toes. Downside, mom takes a hoof confetti shower the entire time we work on her darling piggies toes.

This video is almost start to finish for one set of toes. A little more than 5 minutes to trim distal & proximal phalanx using The Hoof Boss and following that up with the dremel.

It is uncommon for a pig of Lulu's size to be flipped in order to trim. The concern with her size is if she's not rolled gently, her weight could cause damage to her shoulders, and if she's not rolled tandem front and back, the spine can be tweaked and misaligned.

At no point would we recommend a single trimmer or for a single person to "flip" her. She is of the size that where she is rolled, she is trimmed. Not only is it unwise to move her, but it would be unsafe for her joints due to her weight.

Lulu is one of very few her size that we feel comfortable trimming. Not because we can't, but a larger pig who is hyperventilating can have an increased risk of heart attack. A larger pig who has had a bad experience before can thrash and harm themselves. A larger pig who is terrified of having their toes done is a great danger to themselves and to the people involved.

If your pig has had unsafe or harmful trims done prior, they remember that. They remember the last time someone handled them. Mishandling or harming them at one of their most vulnerable states creates a long-term mental scar that we are actively working to prevent every time we trim.

Hoof care is not just about the finished product. Hoof care is about making a necessary thing less scary, less painful, and less harmful. If your pig is terrified of having their hooves trimmed, it may be time to ask why.

It's National Hugging Day. All you piggy parents, hug your pigren. Even a cuddle will do 🥰Throwbacks with Talia (left) &...
01/21/2025

It's National Hugging Day.
All you piggy parents, hug your pigren. Even a cuddle will do 🥰

Throwbacks with Talia (left) & Sassy (right).

Please be careful in the next few days! If you don't have to go anywhere, don't. Extra straw for the piggy babes. Keepin...
01/19/2025

Please be careful in the next few days! If you don't have to go anywhere, don't.

Extra straw for the piggy babes. Keeping them hydrated is the most important part when it comes to inclement weather.

During snow storms in KS I would either heat water on the stove or use warm water while our pipes were thawed. Adding a tablespoon of molasses per gallon of water will help entice the stubborn piggos to drink more.

If they're outside you can add soaked no sugar beet pulp shreds or alfalfa pellets as additional fiber sources to help them keep their body warm.

This is going to shock a lot of livestock in and around southern Louisiana/Houston because we've been relatively warm for the past couple weeks. Don't be alarmed if they essentially hibernate, but do regular checks to ensure they are okay.

She is truly one of my favorite clients for the fact she's a rarity in the pig world. Parents took her in for spay, but ...
01/19/2025

She is truly one of my favorite clients for the fact she's a rarity in the pig world.

Parents took her in for spay, but there was no uterus to remove! She is externally a female and internally had te**es.

As it currently stands, our only female pig client requires a regular tusk trim.

Our most elusive when it comes time to flip. She is just as dramatic as most boys, but equally as sassy as all our ladies.

We love her 🩵

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Eudora, KS

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Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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