When a Newborn Goat Walks on Pasterns

Supposedly a newborn goat that walks on pasterns doesn’t need its legs splinted. The theory is that the kid will grow out of it. But why take a chance?

Causes of Weak Pasterns

One of the two main causes of weak pasterns is pre-birth kids being too crowded in the doe’s uterus. Jasper, the kid pictured above, was born one of triplets, so conditions got pretty crowded by the time he was born. However, crowding more typically causes a problem to the front legs, rather than the rear legs.

The second main cause of weak pasterns, particularly related to the back legs, is selenium deficiency. In our early days of goat keeping we saw signs of selenium deficiency. Since then we have religiously given our pregnant does a selenium shot, 2.5cc Bo-Se per 100 pounds, 30 days before they are due to kid.

When the kids are born, we follow up with 0.5cc Bo-Se per kid. Since following this protocol, we haven’t seen any issues related to selenium deficiency.

So, as to why Jasper was born not wanting to walk on his rear hooves is anybody’s guess. But he was still walking on his pasterns the morning after he was born. We weren’t about to let him continue walking that way, for fear his muscles and tendons wouldn’t properly strengthen.

He could stand when we set him up, and he even took a tentative step or two. But then his hooves flipped back and he plodded along on his pasterns. Obviously nothing was broken, so we decided to apply splints to show his legs how they’re supposed to work.

How to Splint a Newborn Goat

Splinting is pretty simple when you’re working with a baby goat. All you need is a popsicle stick cut in half (or something of similar size and stiffness), some VetWrap (or similar soft dressing), and surgical or electrical tape.

Wrap the leg with a couple of rounds of VetWrap to cushion the stick. Place a half popsicle stick on one side of the leg, flat end level with the bottom of the hoof. Wrap once around, then place the other half stick on the other side of the leg. Continue wrapping a couple more rounds. Cut the VetWrap and tape it in place. Take care not to wrap or tape too tight, which can cut off circulation.

Theoretically VetWrap doesn’t need to be taped because it sticks to itself. But whoever came up with that theory doesn’t know how easily a mama goat can unwrap her baby’s splint.

No Longer Walking on Pasterns

Jasper was born on a Wednesday. The splints were applied on Thursday morning. Immediately Jasper started walking properly, though a bit stiffly.

On Sunday morning we removed the splints, both to make sure they weren’t getting too tight, and to see if Jasper could get along without them. No longer was he walking on his pasterns. The splints surely helped; the Bo-Se didn’t hurt, either. Within a few days Jasper was bouncing around the barn with his siblings.