you can always try a file, the ferriers files are good and sharp. It will take time to train the pig.

There is always the expensive router: the vet.

Training the pig is the most important part.
Cheat, use his favorite foods.
Kitty

Considering the age and size of the "patient", I would get one of the clicker training books, and use those principles to teach Hormel to let you handle his legs and feet and then to file the hooves. It may take a little more time, but will be easier on all concerned not to have a wrestling match. And, the job will be easier the next time. Teach in small increments, and if he's really good about one lesson, quit there, while you are ahead! Since he's gone 2 years without trimming, another few weeks won't kill him.

If you know a farrier, ask for a file he considers worn out - it will be plenty sharp enough for your sometime job, just not for his full-time work. If farriers aren't among your acquaintances, then any feed store or tack store should have blacksmith files, but they are pricey as I recall. If you can, put a handle on it - that narrow tang has sharp edges. And wear gloves - new files are SHARP!

ouch,if the pig has not yet had his hooves done,it will take alot of training and patience!! You may have to find a good vet and have him tranquilized for this. They HATE having their hooves done at the best of times,even the ones who have it done regularily. Good luck,maybe you can give him a shot of jack daniels first! (only kidding)

I too have pet pigs and had this very problem. I finally ordered one of those trimmers offered online and cut the pigs' hooves myself. It wasn't very hard. Pigs love special treats, so just have one person distract him and keep feeding him a treat he really likes, and have the other person down on the ground cutting the hooves.

While the extent of trimming needed for the first trimming may indeed dictate that the vet sedates the pig, animals don't learn much at all, if anything, while tranquilized or sedated. It won't make doing the job the next time around any easier, except in that the hooves are shorter.

I would suggest that you either use the distraction of treats, as Siouxsies advises, maybe doing the job over several days, or you spend the necessary time to train Hormel to let you do it, using clicker/target training. The latter would take more time initially, perhaps, but would be quicker in the long run.

I have a potbelly called Emma. She had never had her hooves tirmmed. Can someone PLEASE e-mail a 'pic' of the tool I should use. I have tried so many people in SA, but know one seems to have pigs in my area.
Many thanks.
Dalene