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Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 5:09 pm
by Sylvia
This morning we were putting some of the herd out from winter housing, the first time we have done this but we had 2 experienced cattle people helping. The bedding in the pens had built up and the animals had to step down onto the concrete centre runway. Our bull was first out. He jumped, slipped and fell and broke his hind leg. We had to have him put down. He had only been here just under 12 months, had never done anything to worry us and his very good calves have been appearing with ease since February.
Such a terrible waste of a good, young, fit animal and all my Dexter plans thrown into such disarray at present I can't think what to do. Absolutely devastating.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 6:06 pm
by Duncan MacIntyre
Very sorry to hear of the accident, it is soul destroying when something like that happens. If we could forsee accidents of course they would not happen, very often we are just doing something which we or others do all the time and something unexpected happens. There is not always anyone or anything to blame, it just happens, but it is sometimes difficicult to accept that there is no reason for it. Cattle bones are generally very strong, but an awkward fall seems to put too much strain on in a way which nature did not intend.
I think livestock keepers often just have to say to themselves after something like this, "well this is where we are, what is the most logical step forward" and sometimes breeding plans have to be changed unexpectedly. This is especially so with small herds, where one individual animal has a great impact on the plans. The unexpected loss of Burnside Holly because of an intractable vaginal prolapse was such a turning point for me, and now the herd has gone in a totally different direction from where I originally intended, but I can't go there so I have to go somewhere else.
I am sure lots of readers will feel for you at this time, we certainly do at Burnside.
With our good wishes,
Duncan
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 9:09 pm
by Jo Kemp
A complete nightmare, so sorry - but I am sure you are not alone - accidents happen in every herd. The sire (through semen) of one of my heifers was unloaded from a trailer and slipped, similarly to your chap and he too had to be put down. I also heard of a cow having her neck broken when using a ring feeder. I immediately removed the ring feeder I had!
Be thankful you have youngsters from your bull and remember him with affection. He is present in your herd through them.
Regards, Jo
Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 2:27 am
by johnp
Sylvia
So sorry to hear of the accident. For some reason, I have a real soft spot for cattle and any suffering they encounter is felt sharply. With Dexters, I have described them once as having "ancient eyes and children's spirits" - there is something very fundamental and basic about them as creatures, yet something very playful and spirited.
John
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 1:44 pm
by tim z
Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 4:44 pm
by Kathy Millar
Sylvia, what a tragedy. Horrible to see but you were there and the poor thing didn't suffer too long and that's what counts the most. Very glad to hear you have calves from him. 
All the best,
Kathy
