Another exciting day at the rescue means one thing: hoof trimming day!

Okay, maybe "exciting" depends on whether you're a human or a goat. We enjoy it, and the goats...well, let's just say they have mixed feelings.

Hoof trimming days require a little preparation. A while back, we built our own trimming stanchion out of a pallet and some lumber. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done. The goal is simple: convince each goat to step onto the stanchion so we can give their hooves a much-needed trim.

We start first thing in the morning after breakfast. Two of our goats practically sprint to the stanchion because they know a bucket of food is waiting for them. They hop right up and act like they've won the lottery.

That's especially helpful because they're LaMancha goats, whose adorable tiny ears make it nearly impossible to keep a halter on them. Fortunately, food is a powerful motivator.

Two more goats require a little negotiation. A few treats, some gentle encouragement, and a halter usually do the trick. Once the halter is on, they tend to follow wherever their heads are being led—which works out nicely for us.

Then there are the three little boys.

They have decided that hoof trimming is not on their list of favorite activities, despite the fact that it doesn't hurt at all. Their strategy is simple: avoid capture at all costs.

Our strategy is also simple: corner them in one of the stalls.

Once a little goat roundup is complete, I hold the squirmy customer while Lisa expertly slips on the halter. After that, it's off to the stanchion for a quick trim, a few treats, and plenty of reassurance that the whole ordeal wasn't nearly as bad as they imagined.

By the end of the morning, everyone's hooves are trimmed, everyone's received a snack, and the goats can return to the important business of eating, playing, and plotting how to avoid the next hoof trimming day.

Just another fun day at Sutter B's Farm and Rescue!