I agree with all the above and have tried most. Halter trained animals are best but this is not always practical. I have them quiet enough now to follow when I call. This works on most occasions except when I am wanting them in the yard for a vet's visit. Do they sense from my attitude that something is going to happen?
Another tip you might find helpful is if they are used to grazing behind an electric fence. Two people with a length of white cord or redundant electric fence wire between them can herd cattle and in my case even one person with one end of the string tied to a gate post can usually manoeuvre a herd into a yard. (with respect to Duncan-keep the vet out of sight!)
problem cows!! - bad cows!!
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Its a lot easier to have yards and a head bail to get the cows or bull into. Our senior bull has never been shown, but I can easily get him in the yards, then up the race and into the head bail. Once I've got the halter and long line on him, its just a matter of me pulling him into the horse float and my Husband encouraging with a stick at the back of the bull. I walk into the double horse float, keeping the divider between where I walk and where the bull will walk, then thread the long line through the tie up loop and around the central pole a few times. This way, I can tighten the rope every time he steps forward. I put hay into the float before hand and he likes hay, so more often than not, will walk straight in to get it. I then loosely tie up the rope and go out through the side door.
I've used this method to move 6 different bulls so far. Only three of which had been halter trained. One of which had never had a halter on previously and was not a Dexter. I'd much rather move a Dexter than a Gelbriegh bull. Even if it was just a yearling.
The show bulls are so much easier to move. They may not like being caught, but once haltered, invariably give up and walk where you want them to. I still use a long line though, just incase they decide to pull away. If I'm forced to release the rope, I can easily pick the end up and start again. It normally only takes 15 - 30 mins to get the bull in the trailer.
The bull calf which had recently been shown was just lead into the float with a normal lead. It was so nice to be able to lead him so easily, but even he had to be put in the yard race to get his halter on. He liked his freedom too much. :laugh:
I've used the same method with two cows. I got the older cow into the float first and tied her up, then the heifer walked into the other side, by herself. Prefering not to be left alone.
Without yards, it just wouldn't be possible for us to get our cows into the float. They really are a great time saver. Especially if your trailer is at the end of a funnel like ours is. We've set up our yards like this, as its difficult for us to get a cattle truck to come and pick up one or two animals. They say its uneconomical. So we have to transport our animals ourselves.
I've used this method to move 6 different bulls so far. Only three of which had been halter trained. One of which had never had a halter on previously and was not a Dexter. I'd much rather move a Dexter than a Gelbriegh bull. Even if it was just a yearling.
The show bulls are so much easier to move. They may not like being caught, but once haltered, invariably give up and walk where you want them to. I still use a long line though, just incase they decide to pull away. If I'm forced to release the rope, I can easily pick the end up and start again. It normally only takes 15 - 30 mins to get the bull in the trailer.
The bull calf which had recently been shown was just lead into the float with a normal lead. It was so nice to be able to lead him so easily, but even he had to be put in the yard race to get his halter on. He liked his freedom too much. :laugh:
I've used the same method with two cows. I got the older cow into the float first and tied her up, then the heifer walked into the other side, by herself. Prefering not to be left alone.
Without yards, it just wouldn't be possible for us to get our cows into the float. They really are a great time saver. Especially if your trailer is at the end of a funnel like ours is. We've set up our yards like this, as its difficult for us to get a cattle truck to come and pick up one or two animals. They say its uneconomical. So we have to transport our animals ourselves.
Inger
NZ
NZ