Trimming Sheep Hoofs How to -
This isn't a subject that most Blackbelly owners seem to be so concerned with but there is a greater amount of concern with other types of sheep being that many are susceptible to hoof rot. This might be considered as an enormously serious case of athlete's foot which can cripple a sheep; bad news if you need to get food and you can't walk to get it. There are treatments for the problem but the best treatment is prevention using proper care.
I feed my sheep in a small enclosed area that remains open most of the time except when I get them all there at once for feeding. I like to watch the sheep as they jostle for position at the food trough and at the same time I look for problems. Are they eating right? Do they limp? Are they wounded? How are their eyes? And when it's not raining and the ground is dry, how are their feet?
I surveyed a couple of sites on the web as well as read a book or two that had some information about this subject, but I just never got comfort "reading" because there's nothing like actually "doing" it. Getting yourself to wrestle with the sheep and finally cutting into the hoof might be challenging the first time you try it because you don't exactly know what to expect. I hope a few more pictures will help out.
Even though it doesn't look like it the hoof itself is actually very soft; about as hard as cutting the soft rubber trim from a car or a thick pink eraser you might have used in school. It might look hard and ridged, but it's probably softer than your own fingernail. As you cut a little deeper into the hoof it's slight gray to white and not the black you see on the outside.
So what does a bad hoof like? Here's an example of a before and after shot taken the same day.
Before After
If you'll notice from the picture on the left, the hoof is peeled up and away from the ground, it's split or cracked, and perhaps your sheep may even limp a little if you've watched carefully. This ewe wasn't hurting at all, but the last time I trimmed her hoofs I forgot this one; perfect timing for a photo op.
What's the process?
1) You'll need to purchase a hoof rot shear (shown at the top of the page). The cost runs about $18 - $25 depending on the brand and quality but it will last you a long time if you keep it clean and dry. It's similar to a very sharp gardening pruner with what looks like anodized blades to help keep them from rusting. It has straight blades like a scissor and isn't curved like gardeners pruning shears typically are.
2) Once you have the shears you'll need to catch your sheep, grabbing it around it's chest like a bear hug, lift it up off its feet, and gently sit down with it laying the ewe or ram on its hind quarter near where you placed the shears. If you need a stool, make it a low one.
I've wrestled both rams and ewes in the same way and surprisingly they both behave the same even though the males weigh more and might be a little more intimidating with the horns at your face. But to my surprise they don't throw their heads around so you don't need to be overly worried about the horns, the rams calm down rather rapidly once they are on their back. Up to a point you can work at ease with your sheep while they're on their back but there will be a point where they're going to fight since it's completely unnatural for them to lay like this. And being that you have them on their back already, inspect their underbellies for anything unusual looking. You never know what you might see (Parasites, sores, etc...).
3) Grab a hoof, and start trimming the sides. You have an example of a trimmed hoof at the top of the page but a younger lamb (2-3 months old) will also serve as a good example of a properly trimmed hoof. 
Trim as much as you need in order to get the right depth off the sides. Experience will eventually help you recognize when to stop and what looks right.
4) Cut the tips the same way and don't worry if you see the color of the under layer as a little white or gray (See the picture below) as you cut. On occasion you might cut too deep and you will draw a small amount of blood. All I can say about that is that we've all done it at least once and next time try to be more careful. The sheep will be fine and won't hold a grudge.
And once again, if you don't cut enough the first time, go back and take a little more.
If you've never done this before it will probably take you about twice as long as it normally would. The animal is going to get a little squirrelly on you and start kicking its hind legs to get up again; just be persistent and finish the job. The next sheep will be faster, the next will be faster yet.