.png)
Horns N Hooves
🐄 Horns and Hooves: The Highland Cattle Podcast
Are you tired of sorting through bad advice about raising Highland and Highland Cross cattle? Do you need practical, proven strategies to make smart decisions for your farm? You've come to the right place!
Welcome to Horns and Hooves, the podcast dedicated to being your go-to source for all things Highland and Highland Cross cattle.
Join your hosts, Lori Racicky (from Creekside Highland Haven) and Taylor Hauser (from Hausers Homestead). We started this podcast because we learned the hard way - through our own mistakes and by trusting the wrong advice. We know what it's like to feel all alone, juggling costly decisions and second-guessing every move.
The good news is: You don't have to anymore!
What We Cover:
We dive into topics that truly matter to the everyday cattle owner, offering real stories and honest advice from people who live it. We keep it real and share what works, learning from experience, not nonsense.
- Farm Economics: Expert tips on managing feed costs and making financially savvy choices.
- Buying & Selling: Strategies for navigating the complexity of livestock auctions and sales.
- The Hard Truths: We tackle the subjects others avoid, like getting straight answers about cattle sizes, temperament, and quality.
- Community Support: Our mission is to build a strong community where everybody feels welcome, no matter how long you've been in the game.
Our goal is to cut through the noise and give you the practical takeaways you need to raise a healthy, successful herd.
Hit that subscribe button and give us a five-star rating to help our community grow!
Follow Us on Social Media: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
Horns N Hooves
Genetics, Nutrition, and Structural Soundness with Adam Marshall
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of Horns and Hooves, professional hoof trimmer Adam Marshall joins the show to discuss the critical importance of hoof health and structural confirmation in miniature cattle and Highland crosses.
Adam shares his expertise on how genetics, environment, and nutrition all play a vital role in keeping your herd sound, famously noting that "it all goes hand in hand" when balancing body confirmation with foot health. Listeners will learn why miniature breeds are prone to specific issues like "corkscrew claw" and how modern feeding habits might be growing hooves faster than nature intended.
Key Takeaways
Hoof health is driven by the trifecta of genetics, environment, and nutrition, with environment often being the most impactful factor for domestic cattle. To promote natural wear, owners should force movement by placing water and feed at opposite ends of the pasture. Additionally, be wary of high-energy treats; "hotter" rations lead to faster, often problematic hoof growth.
Episode Highlights
Adam explains why sand often acts more like mud than sandpaper, failing to provide the natural abrasion needed for Highland hooves.
The discussion also covers serious health warnings regarding contagious hoof warts and the "sugar wrap" method for drawing out infections.
Finally, Adam provides practical advice for those looking to hire a trimmer, emphasizing the need for specialized equipment that can safely handle horned or miniature livestock.
Timestamps
00:20 Introduction of Guest Adam Marshall
01:24 The Link Between Genetics and Foot Confirmation
04:41 Environmental Factors and Promoting Natural Wear
05:27 Why High-Energy Treats Can Harm Hoof Health
09:50 Identifying Genetic Issues Like Corkscrew Claw
12:18 Managing Contagious Warts and Hoof Rot
18:40 Differences Between Maintenance and Show Trims
22:30 Maximize Your Chute Time with Extra Services
Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories!
Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com
Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/