Cattle Restraint

What are potential dangers when working with cattle

We should be aware how far animal is able to swing head from side to side and forward reach

Horned animals can hurt us by thrusting the head forward and sideways

Butting can be done - be careful

Bovine ca use their body to pin the handler

Why are the hind feet of bovine really dangerous

They can kick straight backwards AND side to side

How to approach a cow

Avoid sudden movement

Talk to them with low voice

Safest place to stand next to a cow is at their shoulder

Blind zones - include directly behind them and a few degrees to the left and right of rump

What are things NOT to do when approaching a cow

Do not approach cows from the direct front - might make them charge

Don’t stand in their blind zone and create a loud noise, they will run away

How do you herd a cow

Handler should walk past the point of the shoulder → they go forward (aka the point of balance)

Restraint for dairy cows (females)

Usually accustomed to being handled so they are the easiest to work with

Restraint done with stanchions or by tying them to a fence

Restraint for dairy bulls (male)

Require special restraint techniques because they are so unpredictable

Nose rings and halter can be used for these guys

Restraint for beef cows

They get frightened easily b/c they have little interactions with humans

Restrained using chutes with head gates and alleyways

Restraint for beef bulls

Similar to beef cows but special attention must be paid around bulls when they are near cows in heat

What are some physical restraint for cows

Rope halters

Nose tongs

Hobbles

Tail restraint

What is tail restraint used for

Venipuncture or rectal exams

What do hydraulic lift tables do

Put cows into lateral recumbency

If a cow ever needs to be put on lateral recumbency, what side should they be laying on

Right lateral

How to restrain calves

Place on hand under neck and grasping the tail head or placing the other hand around hindquarters

How to put calf into lateral recumbency

Flanking or legging the calf

After calf is down, three legged tie should be applied

Then, put one knee on calf’s neck and other knee in front of the closest hind leg to hold it down

Make sure to never turn your back on their mother*