Bovine Handling & Restraint Flashcards
Cattle have a ___ zone & point of ____
- flight zone
- point of balance
T/F: Working with cattle, you should always be behind them and is it okay to work fast
False! Never work from behind a cattle as it is it’s blind spot. Work from their sides!
Handling should be slow, methodical, intentional, & precise.
What is a flight zone?
Cattle will circle around handlers while maintaining a safe distance keeping the people in site.
Their “personal space”
Point of balance is at the ___ for cattle
Shoulder
T/F: Beef animals are rarely handled by humans, and therefore resist handling and restraint. They are highly suspicious of pens and chutes
True
T/F: Diary breeds, particularly female, are handled frequently, with lactating cows being milked twice daily and receiving food in a controlled setting.
True
What are four safety things to keep in mind while working with bulls/cows?
- Regardless of breed, bulls are unpredictable & aggressive.
- Dairy bulls are regarded as some of the most dangerous domestic animals to handle and restrain.
- Even cows with calves are often aggressive in their protection of young
- Cattle will gov over or through any object that stand in the way of rejoining their herd
T/F: use of electric pods can be used straightaway to move herd/animals
False. Only use this method if all else has failed
How does a chute work? How do you get a bovine into it?
The animal is encouraged to enter the chute by giving an impression that is can walk thru it. As they try, the mechanisms traps the neck between two vertical bars that prevent head & shoulders from fitting thru.
What is a danger to animal and humans when using a chute?
The violent throwing of their head. This is their primary method of defense.
A rope halter accomplishes ___ of the ___ once the animal is in the chute.
- Control
- Head
Describe how to properly place a rope halter
The nose loop is placed first and the larger loop across the poll (behind the ears).
The nose bar should be well away from the eyes and the nostrils.
When placed, it should tighten under the chin when long end is pulled.
T/F: Tails should not be used to move or lift a recumbent bovine
True. Tails are fragile and vertebrae are easily broken
What is “tail jack”?
- Can be used for short periods of restraint
- Stand behind the cow to the side, grasp tail at base w/both hands, lift tail directly up to midline & over the back
What is “tailing”?
Variation to encourage forward movement. Tail can be directed off to the side but avoid excessive pressure.
Flank rope places pressure on the ___ to discourage ___. Never place directly on the ___ or ___.
- Flanks
- Kicking
- Udder
- Prepuce
Milking hobbles are devices used for what?
Prevent kicking
Bovine put lots of weight on their ___ limbs so it can be hard to lift them. A ___ can be used to elevate said limb.
- Front
- Rope
What is casting?
Method of forcing an animal to the ground, usually with ropes that apply firm, constant pressure to sensitive points on the body
When casting, control of the ___ is first and never trap ___, ____, or ___ in the ropes! Risk of bloat can be min by placing them in ___ ___ recumbency. This position the ____ for observations of bloat!
- Head
- Udder, prepuce, or scrotum
- Right lateral
- Rumen
