Blood, and maybe steel-toed boots good idea?

DJ in WA · #1 01/01/13, 09:33 PM

So I was just out in the cow shed feeding my 900 pound pet heifer, putting some grain in her feeder, and she reaches over and plants her foot on my foot, which was enclosed in a Muck rubber boot.

My yell could be heard for miles around (except there was noone to hear it).

I have a gnarly big toe nail on that foot, due to losing a toenail years ago playing basketball. Sure enough, she ripped that thing off by the roots. I'm sitting here in a recliner with it elevated with an old towel under it waiting for the bleeding and throbbing to stop.

I took a neat photo of it if anyone wants to see it.

Anyway, makes me ponder the wisdom of steel toed boots, though I've heard they have their problems.

Or the obvious solution of staying out of reach of cows.

Big Dave · #2 01/01/13, 09:34 PM

Pictures Please

DaveNay · #3 01/01/13, 09:38 PM

I don't know about cows, but when a horse does that they just look at you and laugh as you scream.

vicker · #4 01/01/13, 09:46 PM

I always work under the premise that you are responsible for your own digits. I think you just need to watch you feet. Steel toes aren't going to help if it steps on your instep, and metatarsal protectors sound a bit over the top.

Travis in Louisiana · #5 01/01/13, 09:50 PM

The steel-toed boots would work, some; BUT, here at the plant, a 450 pound valve fell on a persons steel-toed boot and it bent the steel into her foot, also breaking it, so with this info, it may not do any good.

Chief Cook · #6 01/01/13, 09:52 PM

Ouch! So sorry to hear of your misfortune. Hope your foot heals quickly. Your pet heifer probably feels bad for her mis-step. Yeah right, I'll bet she gave you the "look" and moved about a half inch. But really, I do hope you heal right up.

Maura · #7 01/01/13, 09:52 PM

Your pet heifer needs to learn to stay out of your space. This can be trained using positive training, but most people just kick them. It's too late to kick, and now you can't, but you can work with her to give you a certain amount of space.

DJ in WA · #8 01/01/13, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNay

I don't know about cows, but when a horse does that they just look at you and laugh as you scream.

LOL,
As I think this through......

Next time I will exercise discipline, and calmly remove her hoof from my foot.

Because screaming caused her to dart, and rotate her foot, grinding it into mine. In addition, I was jerking my foot away, increasing the friction.

Yep, next time it will be different...... Just saved money not buying better boots.

DJ in WA · #9 01/01/13, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maura

Your pet heifer needs to learn to stay out of your space. This can be trained using positive training, but most people just kick them. It's too late to kick, and now you can't, but you can work with her to give you a certain amount of space.

Actually, I went into her space, as she was eating in her feeder, and I went into the next slot to place grain, and she reached over with head and feet. Pretty hard to never be near her when feeding and milking, etc, but obviously this will make me more aware of my feet.

Were it not for my deformed and raised toenail that was more easily ripped off, wouldn't have been as interesting.

Sawmill Jim · #10 01/01/13, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis in Louisiana

The steel-toed boots would work, some; BUT, here at the plant, a 450 pound valve fell on a persons steel-toed boot and it bent the steel into her foot, also breaking it, so with this info, it may not do any good.

How much foot would been left without those boots ?

They make steel toed muck boots . If the ground was soft might just push your foot in the mud . I even have a pair of steel toed tennis shoes

DJ in WA · #11 01/01/13, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

How much foot would been left without those boots ?

They make steel toed muck boots . If the ground was soft might just push your foot in the mud . I even have a pair of steel toed tennis shoes

I was just looking at the Muck boot website and realized how wimpy are the "Jobber" ones that I have. Got them cuz they're short and easy on and off. Even if I got the Chore boots without steel toes I'd be better off.

And here's a link to a photo. That's the toenail to the right.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps64b4275d.jpg

Sawmill Jim · #12 01/01/13, 11:08 PM

I'm always putting my feet in a bad spot . I need steel toed house shoes .

rambler · #13 01/01/13, 11:21 PM

When I was a kid I was milking the family cow, squirting the kittens of course.

Well one little black kitten got too close, the cow shifted her feet, and all I saw was a short little black tail any more sticking out from under the hoof. It was a real little kitten, just walking around first size......

I stood up and did a shoulder block into the cows hip as fast as I could think, not sure what I'd see.

Little black kitty looked up at me, meowed, happy as before. No worries.

The soft bedding, the cow never got her weight all down on that leg, whatever.

I got the kitties farther away from us.

Paul

CaliannG · #14 01/02/13, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ in WA

...... wouldn't have been as interesting.

DJ, you have a very different idea of what I would call "interesting", although I do imagine that that heifer had your complete and undivided attention.

For myself, I have steel-toed everything nearly. Boots, rubber boots, tennis shoes. Used to work as a crane operator so I have steel-toes for every occasion...but they have come in right handy on the homestead.

The horses know to give me some space. The goats know the same thing but don't. You never know what is going to happen anyway and I have to say, I have been grateful for those steel toes a time or two.

sammyd · #15 01/02/13, 01:40 AM

I wear steel toed boots most of the time and lately started wearing ones with met guards.
You never know where the animal will be stepping...

where I want to · #16 01/02/13, 01:48 AM

With time you will develop an instinctual response to a large animal moving in your direction- your toes will automatically curl as far as they can away from the animal. It's PSTD- post-smashed toes deflection.

The worst one I ever had was holding a friend's mare who had her foal loose next to her- the mare was so preoccupied with the foal she never noticed my drumming on her shoulder with both fists to get her to move her foot off mine.

CaliannG · #17 01/02/13, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where I want to

It's PSTD- post-smashed toes deflection.

defenestrate · #18 01/02/13, 02:33 AM

In my experience the main issues with steel toed boots is that the toe can be a little small leading to beating up toes, or that they can rust if they get too wet (I had a great pair of air force flight line boots that had the latter problem). It is prudent to try boots on and make sure you have ample toe room with them laced up. The right sized boot should leave fairly ample toe room. They aren't perfect but they do a lot of protecting and I would recommend them for applications like this.

pheasantplucker · #19 01/02/13, 05:24 AM

I don't think steel toe boots are a good solution for several reasons:
1. You'd have to buy four of them...that could get expensive.
2. Your heifer probably won't wear them.
3. If your heifer does wear them and steps on your foot again, that is probably gonna hurt even worse!

geo in mi · #20 01/02/13, 06:07 AM

I'm trying to visualize a feeding setup that makes you place feed into anywhere except in front of the cow, face to face....... If that isn't possible, then you have to learn to move with the animal, by placing a hand or elbow on its leg or flank.....any cow will be figidgety when you have food in your hand or when it thinks you are taking the food away..

geo