My sisters pet goat was put down yesterday and the horns cut off near the base of the skull (above hair line). Could someone help me with how to clean and preserve the horns for mounting in a picture frame as a memorial for her to keep. I have no idea where to start or what chemicals/methods to use as I dont want to ruin the horns. Thanks for any ideas
Scott
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The core (Bone inside horn) has to be removed and cleaned.The horns have to be cooked in hot water or microwave so the horns can be removed from the core Then tissue inside is cleaned off. Another way is to rot them off by putting them in a heavy dark plastic bag and sealing it closed. If it was a male goat they smell anyway. Set it in the sun 3-4 days to a week. Check it and pull on the horns. Bang them down on a hard surface if nessesary. They will smell some, but the horns will come apart from the core. Clean the tissue off. wash well in a good deorderizer and soap solution. Rub with borax (It can be found in the laundry soap isle at the store) and let it dry well. You mentioned putting it in a frame, this can be done at this time, as long as it is dry. Note: If you cut the horns off at the horn & base line. You may need to run a screw into the core to have something to hang onto when pulling them apart. good luck
Thanks for that Dean. The horns are in a plastic bag already for transport reasons so thats fortunate. The rest sounds like it will be fun but at least now I have an idea of what to do.
Thanks again
Scott