How to trim toe nails easily!  There are a lot of photos on this page.  It may load slowly, but it is worth the wait!

First let us start with a little anatomy

Positioning is important, both your position and the animals position.  I think it is easiest to begin with 2 people.  Begin by tying the animal to a solid wall, gate, or fence post.  It is best to have a solid structure that you can place one side of the animal against to reduce movement.  Placing the animal into a chute can be a help or a hindrance, depending on the chute.  Some chutes do not allow enough room to comfortably work or to properly position yourself to easily trim nails.  We have a chute but do not use it for toe nail trimming or routine maintenance. 

Standing method:

Tie the animal on a short lead with a quick release knot.  Have one person stand at the animals’ shoulder, with one arm around the base of the animals’ neck and the other firmly grasping the lead where it attaches to the halter (Photo 1). 

I always begin on the animals left shoulder and work my way around the animal to the opposite shoulder.  Left shoulder – left hind limb – right hind limb – right shoulder.  To trim the front nails the person trimming should begin by standing on the left shoulder of the animal and face towards the rear of the animal.  Place your left hip slightly in front of the animals left shoulder and your left foot just in front of the animals foot.  Spread your feet a little more than hip width apart and bend slightly at the knees (Photo2).  This position will stabilize you.  Reach down with your left hand and gently sweep the animals leg back at the foreshank (Photo 3).  As the animal raises the leg, slide your hand down to the pastern and turn the toe of the foot towards the sky (Photo 4).  With the clippers in your right hand you can clip the nail flush with the pad (Photo 5). 

 TIPS:  Make this quick, if you are speedy the animal won’t object.  If you are too slow the animal will begin to object to the restraint.  SUCCESS!

Now, on to the rear feet.  Have one person stand at the animals left shoulder to provide additional support to the animal (Photo 1).  Again position yourself with your left hip slightly in front of the left rear leg and your foot under the animal (Photo 6).  Bend you knees slightly and bend forward such that the animals’ haunch is in your armpit (Photo 7).  OK, I realize this sounds like you are really close to the llama & you are!  From this position I have not been kicked because the animal can’t obtain any range to strike from.  I place my left arm down the back of the animal, between the legs (Photo 8) & simply pick up the tarsus & flip the pad of the foot up towards the sky (Photo 9).  With the clippers in your right hand you can clip the nail flush with the pad (Photo 10).  REMEMBER BE QUICK!  2 down, 2 to go!

OK, on to the right rear leg – depending on your speed, flexibility and comfort you can 1) remain in the same position as for trimming the left rear nails & reach over, lift the right foot & trim the right nails in the same fashion as the left nails (Photo 11-13) or 2) you can reposition yourself on the animals right side (Photo 14-15).  Don’t slow down now!  3 down 1 to go! 

 I like to finish on the front right leg of the animal & my animals have quickly learned the routine.  I think that consistency is important.  Congratulations!  That wasn’t so hard!

Cushed Method: Photos are coming!  I just have to find a llama to lie down for nails.

So what do you do if the llama lies down?  Fret not; I have a simple little technique for trimming nails that doesn’t stress the llama.  The key to trimming a llama in the cush position is timing – you want to go slowly here, not fast.  Again I work around the animal in the same fashion beginning at the front left leg.  With the animal in a cush position I can kneel beside the llama, facing the opposite direction.  I gently pull the foot out towards the side & trim the nails.  This is slightly more difficult because you can’t get the foot off the ground, nor can you pull it out past the point of alignment with the limb.  If you pull the foot out too far the animal will resist and will then put the foot more on the midline & not in a normal position.  If this happens give the animal a break, allow them to stand up & then try again. 

 So, on to the back feet – these are WAY easier to do than the front feet on a cushed llama.  Again, have one person on the shoulder of the animal – not sitting on it, just providing visual and emotional support for the llama.  While kneeling at the animals back end, but on the same side that I want to trim, I slide gently grasp the hock and slowly elevate it until it is almost perpendicular to the ground.  With my other hand I gently grasp the fetlock and foot, turn the pad of the foot up & then pulling back slowly until I have easy access to the nails for trimming.  After I have completed the trimming, I gently replace the leg in the tucked position under the animal.  Repeat for the other side.  SUCCESS!      

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Last modified: 07/22/08