How to Make a Leg Hook for Catching Goats

A leg hook comes in handy for animals that are hard to get your hands on. Put an end to chasing your goats and make your own leg catcher with these simple, step-by-step directions.

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On our goat farm, some goats are much easier to catch than others. Something as simple as a hoof trim, medication administration, or just a wellness check can turn into quite a chore if you have to chase them around a three-acre pasture.

There are leg hooks that you can purchase, but they looked so simple, we figured we would just make one ourselves. Here is how we did it.

Materials Needed for Making a Leg Hook for Catching Goats

• 4 foot cold rolled steel bar
• Bench vise
• Pliers
• Measuring tape
• Short piece of pipe
• Paracord

Directions for Making a Leg Hook for Catching Goats

1. Start with the handle. Measure about 4 inches and make a mark. This is where your first bend will be.
2. Clamp the steel into a bench vise. Bend at the 4 inch mark to a 90 degree angle. This will be what wraps around to make your handle. (See red area on drawing below)

3. Now measure another 8 inches up the bar. Again, clamp this into your vise and bend it perpendicular to the shaft of the leg hook. (See blue area on drawing below)

4. You will now take your 4 inch tab from your first bend and wrap it around the shaft so that you have made a loop for your handle. This can be done with pliers and clamping it into your bench vise to get it completely around the shaft.

5. Now we will work from the other end to make the actual leg hook. Measure 8 inches down and make a mark. Clamp the steel in your bench vise and use the pipe to bend back toward the handle until it is again perpendicular to the shaft. (See orange area on drawing below)

6. To make the leg easier to get into the hook, it is best to flare out the opening. On the end of the hook, take the last 2 inches and bend away from the shaft a bit. How much is up to you. (See green area on drawing below)

7. That’s it! If the leg wants to slip out, or it is too tight, you can play with the size of the opening on the hook by bending it toward or away from the shaft to find what works for you.
8. On ours, we also wrapped the handle with paracord which can be picked up pretty cheap from the hardware store. It gives you something to grip onto when using the hook.

How to Use a Leg Hook for Catching Goats

To use the leg hook, you will want to calmly come up behind the goat and use the hook as an extension of your arm. Hook one of the goat’s back legs to immobilize it temporarily and have another person secure the animal by its collar or horns.

Be careful when using the hook, so you don’t injure an animal or person. The hook gets heavy when used for long periods of time, so confining the goats to a smaller space before attempting to catch them may be helpful.

Kiel

Butcher, coach, and handyman— there is nothing this man can’t do or fix. He loves the outdoors, playing with his kids, as well as hunting and cooking homegrown or wild meats!