Bovine Handling and Restraint

1. Bovine Handling and Restraint Handling and Restraint Mr. Robinson Edward.Robinson@pennfoster.eduor edrobinson02@sbcglobal.net

3. Approaching and Capturing Cattle • Cattle tend to be less fearful than horses so you can usually approach them without much fear. • Some cows will be indifferent to your approach, others will be aggressive and still others will be indifferent to your approach and then aggressively attempt to escape.

5. Handling and Restraining Cattle • There are several ways to restrain cattle. • 1. Chutes and stanchions • 2. Halters • 3. Nose tongs or leads • 4. Hobbles • 5. Tail Jack and tail tie • 6. Casting

6. Halters

7. Nose Tongs 1 2

8. Hobbles • Hobbles can prevent an animal from kicking. • Various types of hobbles are available. • Milking hobbles look like leg irons with two metal bands connected by a length of chain. • The hobbles are placed on the animal’s rear legs, just above the hock (ankle). • The chain should pass in front of the legs. • You can also use rope to improvise hobbles.

9. Tail Jack

10. Tail Tie 2 1 3

11. Casting • The casting rope is used to place the animal on its side on the ground. • There are several ways to use a casting rope. • All of them require the animal to wear a strong halter or nose lead.

13. Calf Handling and Restraint • A calf can be restrained fairly easily once separated from its mother. • However, you must be careful as the cows are very protective of their calves. • A mother may charge if she senses that her calf is in danger.

14. Transporting Cattle • Cattle usually travel on large trucks or trailers fully loaded to prevent movement that can injure the animals. • A few loosely loaded animals are more likely to become active and injure themselves during the trip. • This also makes the truck impossible to drive with the movement. • Cows (dairy show cows) are normally transported in small trailers like horse trailers.

15. Any questions?