How often to trim: Every six weeks. We do full-body health checks every six weeks on all of our animals, and we trim the goat hooves at each health check. It helps them (and you) get accustomed to it to do it this often.
Tip - less is more: You're better off just trimming a little bit than a lot because you don't want to make them bleed. If you do it every six weeks, then a little each time is all you should need to do. However, with goats who have long, curled hooves, then you may need to trim a lot.
Tip - be prepared with wrap, supplies: You want to have first-aid supplies handy if you do make the foot bleed. Wonder-dust will stop the bleeding. Chlorohexadine solution (or hydrogen peroxide) can disinfect the wound. And veterinary wrap with a little gauze will wrap the wound to keep it from getting dirty until it can heal.
Tools: You will need a good pair of hoof shears. A hoof pick and a toothbrush to remove dirt and dust. You will also need a hand held carpenter's plane or a hoof rasp, the kind that looks a little like a cheese grater.
Basic How to for hoof trimming;
1. Have another person hold the goat or tie him securely to a post.
2. Pick up one foot. Bending gently back at the knee and then then ankle
3. Clean dirt out of the hoof with a hoof pick. Use a toothbrush to clean i small crevices.
4. Use shears and slowly remove pieces of overgrown hoof. Use a sharp knife to trim the bottom of the hoof. Cut one thin slice at a time. Stop when the hoof bottom looks pink.
5. Use a hoof rasp to make a smooth finish on the hoof.
(Note; We had our vet show us how to do the trimming so that we were certain we were doing it correctly.)