Halter training - again!

Peter thornton · Post by **Peter thornton** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:07 pm

Have started to halter train a three year old cow - who has never been on a halter before. Need to get it presentable for York - those there may see some fun in the ring!

I started a week ago and have just got to the stage where she will eat out of my hand and let me touch her head. Slow going but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end (for the next owner!!)

I'm also training another cow a little younger, but again, never been on a halter. I've got hold of a halter called a "leave on halter" from Peasridge. This is a smart nylon halter which can be left on the animal. It has a loop either side, making it easy to catch hold of. I'm finding this very useful. Not sure I'd be happy to leave it on if the animal was roaming the fellside in case it got caught on something but I recommend it to anyone halter training inside.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:16 am

When I am training an animal to go on halter I do not place any importance at all on whether it will eat out of my hand, and I do not very often touch their heads. Just get the beast in a corner or put a noose on its neck, get the halter on and persuade it to walk. If it goes wild due to the sensation of the halter tie it up to a post or good rail and leave it for a while, making sure from a distance that there is no danger of injury. The untie it and begin walking, even if it is just a few steps.
Don't mess about making a pet of it.

Duncan

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:08 pm

Hi Peter; I am currently halter traing a little heifer, to lead and to tie off for milking. We put her in a box stall, so that we could check and make sure that she doesn't hurt herself and then tied a lead shank to the bottom of her halter, trailing on the ground so that she tripps on it and starts to feel the control of the halter. Next she was tied off, at first long enough rope that she could lie down and then short so that her head is held up. When she calmed down in each stage we groom her and touch her udder. So far this has gone well and she does love to be brushed! Also she responds to us holding her lead shank as if it were the barn and she 'couldn't' move away. Next to start leading her we were advised to have her tied to the draw bar of the tractor, (immovable object) and lead her around while holding another shank and walking beside her again until she accepts it as inevitable that she can't go her one way. Hope this helps both of us! Liz

evolen · Post by **evolen** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 6:26 am

Hi,
We have a new method for halfter training in Switzerland! Armon Flieri, a Angus Breeder has adapted the "Horse wisperer" Method to cattle.
It sounds silly but it works! It takes you about a half an hour in a roundpen.
Have a look at the attached links:
http://www.swissangus.ch/archiv/flieri2730.pdf
http://www.swissangus.ch/archiv/flieri2829.pdf

good luck

Adrian

jeanthomas · Post by **jeanthomas** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:21 am

Thank you Adrian, just had a look at your suggested web sites. It made me laugh but it is an interesting concept. It just occurs to me what a wonderful instrument this discussion board is - ideas from like minded people all over the world - truly amazing.:D