The Scottish cow hoof trimmer watched by millions

When Graeme Parker began filming himself at work little did he suspect the worldwide phenomenon he would change into.

From a gorgeous nook of south-west Scotland, he’s now often greeted by strangers on the road when he visits the USA.

It’s all attributable to what would look like probably the most unlikely materials to seize social media’s creativeness.

Because the Hoof GP, his movies of trimming the hooves of cows are actually seen by greater than 100 million individuals a month.

The 41-year-old grew up on the household farm in Wigtownshire however – after his father’s dying when he was an adolescent – he ended up going into hospitality and transferring round Scotland.

“My mom remarried a hoof trimmer, he grew to become unwell and I wasn’t having fun with the place that I used to be operating,” he stated.

“So I got here again to take care of his enterprise.”

It doesn’t sound all that glamorous a profession.

“I used to be freeze branding cows – so mainly placing numbers on cows’ bums throughout Scotland, the Highlands, the islands – I completely cherished it, I actually, actually did,” he stated.

“My clients would all the time always inform me – you have to be hoof trimming since you’ve received an eye fixed for element.”

“And I stated: ‘Who on Earth would need to be on the unsuitable finish of the cow, trimming their ft? It’s a soiled job, I will by no means, ever trim a cow’s foot’.”

Issues have modified fairly rapidly.

“Quick ahead a couple of years and I am now most likely the best-known particular person on the planet for trimming cows’ ft,” he stated.

“It was reluctant to start with however I completely love what I do now.”

The filming was initially meant to share with the native agricultural group.

“To start with, it was nothing to do with the general public, it wasn’t for public consumption,” he stated.

He used to take pictures to point out his work to farmers however it grew to become clear it could be simpler to stay a video on YouTube and share the hyperlink.

“On the time there have been hoof trimming movies on YouTube however they had been all of a cow’s foot that seemed virtually excellent being made to look a bit extra excellent,” he stated.

“No one wished to point out lameness and a part of that’s a part of the issue, I believe inside agriculture, individuals are scared to point out the truth of it.

“The truth of it’s there are issues, however everyone tries to repair these issues.”

He rapidly began to grasp that the questions he was being requested on-line weren’t coming from the agricultural sector.

“The movies grew,” he defined. “Throughout the first month we had about 1,000 subscribers – that was 5 years in the past.

“Now there are 6.8 million individuals who observe us religiously throughout all social media channels, and we get wherever from 120 to 160 or 170 million views per 30 days.”

It has change into a enterprise that employs 5 individuals and has a worldwide attain.

“Issues have gotten fairly huge, however I am nonetheless a hoof trimmer who hoof trims and that’s my job,” he stated.

“All the opposite stuff, I all the time assume, I simply form of play at.”

He by no means for a minute imagined it could be so widespread and its attain would go to date.

“I’ve met individuals who have these incredible tales connected to the Hoof GP who’re fully faraway from my life,” he stated.

He’s eager for individuals to see past the picture displayed on social media, nevertheless, and is now writing a ebook.

Graeme additionally makes use of his work to advertise the south-west of Scotland.

“I describe the place we stay as an island,” he stated.

“Clearly it is not an island, however the Machars of Wigtownshire are surrounded on three sides by water and to the north there is a financial institution of hills which form of separates you from everyone.

“So we have that form of island group really feel about it with not one of the drawbacks, we needn’t get a ship to go wherever.”

On the coronary heart of all of it, is the day job.

“It’s multi-faceted how good hoof trimming can influence a cow’s life and a farmer’s life,” he stated.

“On the finish of the day, I care about these animals. I actually care about their well being.

“I need them to be snug.”

That additionally helps with the underside line.

“However, forgetting all of that, that is an trade that we’re working in – it is a industrial trade and these cows are there to become profitable,” he added.

“The more healthy these cows are, the higher they’re at getting cash.

“It is good for the cow, it is good for us, it is good for the top client.

“It is simply higher for everyone if cows’ ft are as snug as potential.”