Being Ready for Your Appointment

Withholding of food:

- Do not provide any food for at least 3 hours prior to your appointment time. If needed, skip their meal until after the appointment is completed.

This also means no treats, grazing on grass or foraging of any kind. Nothing but water. 

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Why?

Pigs do tend to scream in protest at times during the appointment (sometimes the whole time) it is just what they do. Having food particles in their mouths and fresh food in their bellies while they’re screaming while being rolled onto and laid on their backs may cause them to aspirate/choke/Vomit or get aspiration pneumonia and Sarah of Hoofin It will not take that risk. 

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Absolutely NO alcohol, NO Benadryl,  NO anything should be provided to any pig(s)

in attempt to “calm” or sedate  them prior to their trim. This is a completely drug/sedative/inhibitor free process.

 

What if...

If Sarah arrives and your pig is actively eating or grazing or being provided treats for luring, the appointment will be ended and the trip fee cannot be refunded. As stated earlier in the guidelines, pigs must not have had access to food, treats, grazing, foraging, or nibbling for at least three (3) hours prior to the appointment.

There is no lenience with this as it poses an imminent health hazard to your pig(s) and Sarah of Hoofin It will not risk the health and safety of any animal, for any reason.

 

In the event that the appointment must be canceled due to a pig actively eating, grazing, or being fed treats, a cancellation fee equal to the cost of one hoof trim ($110) will be applied in addition to the forfeited trip fee. This policy reflects the time lost and disruption caused to the schedule, and is in place to ensure fairness and maintain route efficiency for all clients. 

 

Slippery Piggies:

Do not put any lotion, sunscreen, baby oil, conditioner, or any other substance on your pig(s) that will make them slippery as this makes the whole process dangerous for the piggies and Sarah. 

 

Work Area:

The work can be easily done in a laundry room, a sun room, a bathroom, a small outside pen, horse stall in barn or anywhere else that is secured and leaves little to no room for piggy to run off and hide as the goal keep the pig(s) from becoming stressed or injured.

Laminate or slick floors and smaller spaces are optimal. Please be sure the intended work area is free of straw, shavings, mud or any bedding materials such as pillows and blankets as these cause a hazard. 

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A contained, covered and out of the elements work area of 5x5 is ideal for any time of year. 

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Hot Times/Days of the Year:

For warm/hot times of the year: Work area should be out of direct sunlight and in a well ventilated space. Shaded or completely out of the sun is preferred for the health and safety of your pig(s) and your trimmer. Garages work well, fans help (for non air-conditioned spaces), pop up shades set up in advance of appointment for outdoor spaces. Pigs are prone to heat related health issues and being upside down in extreme heat/direct sunlight not only poses risks for your pig(s) but also for Sarah. Indoors with AC is preferred if at all possible. 

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Cool/Cold/Wet/Rain/Snow:

For cool/cold times of the year: Work area guidelines from above can also work for the cooler times of the year. Be sure the work area is as draft free as possible and that the ground is clear of bedding/straw. Work area should also be out of the rain/snow, free of mud, standing water, ice and snow. 

 

Multi-pig Households:

If there are multiple pigs at your location, there will need to be a way to separate one at a time for their services. No exceptions. This is a necessary safety precaution for Sarah and the pig she is working on. This also means having any other animals (dog/cat) in a separate, secured area so they do not get in the mix. 

 

If you have any questions or need guidance regarding this, please send me a text directly at (833) 240-3438. This telephone number only works for text messages, it cannot receive phone calls.  

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Containment Must Be Done Before My Arrival

Your pig must already be contained in the designated work area before I arrive — even if:

• It’s your pig’s first appointment,

• You feel your pig is well-behaved or well-trained, or

• You believe you can lead them in after I arrive.

 

This is non‑negotiable and applies to every appointment.

 

Over the years, I’ve watched the same situation unfold at different homes: owners are genuinely surprised when their normally calm, cooperative pig refuses to follow them into the trim area once I arrive.

 

Pigs are extremely perceptive animals. They can sense changes in our electromagnetic fields (the subtle energy and tension you carry in your body). On appointment day, your energy is different — you’re preparing for an unusual event, you’re anticipating the trim, you’re interacting with a stranger in your space. Your pig picks up on all of this instantly, which changes their behavior.

 

What you might do with your pig successfully every other day — like calmly leading them into a room — often does not work on trim day. This is a normal pig reaction, not a reflection of your training or bond.

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The Bottom Line

• Contain your pig(s) before I arrive.

• If your pig is not contained, I will not attempt to herd, lure, or chase them into the work area.

• If containment assistance is required after I arrive, a $100 per‑pig containment fee will apply, or the appointment may be canceled according to the policies above.

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These guidelines are in place to keep your pig safe, minimize stress, and ensure I can stay on schedule for all clients. Thank you for preparing ahead of time — it makes the appointment smoother for everyone.

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What to Expect During the Appointment

During the trim, I ask that owners remain completely hands-off. While it might feel instinctive to reach out and pet or console your pig — especially if they’re protesting — I need to kindly ask that you resist the urge.

 

Pigs are in a very vulnerable position during the trim, and they are already being handled in ways that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable for them. Any additional physical input — even gentle touch — can make them more uneasy and harder to manage. More importantly, if they feel a hand on their belly, side, or anywhere else, they may try to push off or roll over, which can throw off my balance and create a real safety hazard.

 

For this reason, I need to be in full control of the handling, with no external physical input from others during the trim. It helps ensure everyone’s safety — including your pig’s.

 

While speaking to your pig isn’t dangerous, I’ve found that vocal attempts to comfort them (“it’s okay,” “you’re fine,” etc.) don’t tend to help — and sometimes actually escalate the struggle. Most pigs settle in best when the space remains calm, quiet, and steady. If someone present is especially anxious or upset, I kindly ask that they stand at least five feet away during the trim. Pigs are incredibly sensitive to emotional energy and body language — they feed off the energy in the space. I do my best to stay cool, calm, and collected at all times, and the more that energy is matched, the smoother the appointment goes.

 

​Bathroom accidents can happen — and they’re nothing to worry about. It’s very common for pigs to poop or pee during the trim:

 

• Female pigs poop and pee from the rear.

• Male pigs poop from the rear but pee from the belly area, and it usually dribbles out like an unpleasant little water feature (unpleasant only because it’s pee, not water).

 

To keep things clean and easy to manage, please have the following ready:

 

• Puppy potty training pads (especially important for males)

• One or two large, sacrificial towels — not paper towels

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This simple prep goes a long way in keeping the trim area clean and the appointment on track. Thanks so much for your cooperation and preparation — it makes a world of difference.

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Please pay close attention to these essential instructions to ensure a smooth appointment day. It's crucial that your pig is not eating or grazing and is in a contained, accessible area for the appointment. If I arrive and find that your pig is eating, not adequately contained, or the situation is unsafe for any reason, I will unfortunately have to end the appointment without providing the service. While the travel fee is non-refundable, you will not be charged for any services not rendered though

 

Also, it's important to have a suitable workspace ready that's appropriate for the weather on the day of the appointment. By submitting the trip fee, you're agreeing to provide this necessary workspace. Please note that if the workspace is unsuitable, the trip fee cannot be refunded.

 

These steps are vital for the safety and effectiveness of the service I provide. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

 

Very Important!

I, Sarah, do not chase pigs. Please be prepared and have your pig in a contained area prior to my arrival. If your pig(s) are not contained and I have to coral/chase/herd or otherwise do the containing then there will be a $100 additional fee incurred per pig.

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**Upon my arrival, if there is no immediate answer or if your pig is not yet contained, a grace period of 10 minutes will be observed. This allows you some extra time to arrive if you’re not home yet, or to answer the door, and provides an opportunity to secure your pig if necessary. Additionally, it’s important that your pig is not covered in mud or wet , as mud and being wet significantly increases slipperiness, posing a major safety hazard for both the pig and myself. If, after this 10-minute window, I have not received a response, the pig remains uncontained, or the pig is too muddy/wet to safely handle, I will need to proceed to my next scheduled appointment to maintain my tight schedule. Please understand, in these situations, a $110 charge, equivalent to  a standard hoof trim fee, will be incurred, and the trip fee is always non-refundable. This policy helps ensure that all my clients receive the prompt and efficient service they expect, while accommodating the unexpected delays and necessary conditions for a safe appointment.

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**Please remember: Service fees are separate from the trip fee. Service fees are only due on the day of appointment after the service(s) have been provided. List of service fees can be found on the Services and Fees page of this website.