First cow

[MikeJoel]

Got the first cow five days ago.
We kept it in the barn for the first couple of days.
We have a horse too, in the same barn. This is a not very nice horse. The horse hoards hay and grain. After a while the cow seemed to like the horse quite a bit and the horse seemed to be being nice to the cow.

We took the cow out on a lead to let here get used to the area.
Later the cow broke out of a door to get out with the horse and it and the horse acted well together so we let her start going out.

We found that as long as they were not fed outside together there was no problems. If fed together outside the horse would force the cow out and nip and act as if it would kick it. So we separate the two at feeding.

We have double doors so we can close the upper door and the lower door seemed allows access to the cow only to her area (today we found the horse had learned to almost kneel to get under).

After tying the horse and cow into their stalls (the doors were tied because the the locks turned out not to be strong enough) I found the cow free and the horse still tied.

I also found that on one of the cow's teats were two cuts, one about 1/2 inch the other a v shape about 1 and 1/2 inch in total. I didn't have iodine and so put a little Mercurochrome.

The cow is due to calve any day now (she seems to be bagging up), remember this is our first.
So what should I do?

Also please I have been trying to find a definite idea to feeding amounts.
Thank you
Michael

[Jena]

When it comes to horses and cows, the cows will lose, especially calves.

Horses have a strict social dominance thing that goes on. Cows do too, to a point, but horses are constantly working on maintaining that social order, which they do by biting and kicking. Cows do it by pushing and shoving and not as much.

I've had horses and cows in the same pasture, but that was in a large pasture where everyone was on grass alone. No feeding, no fights and plenty of room to avoid each other. I would not keep them in the same pasture on hay. Too much fighting.

I'd seperate them permanently and do it before the cow calves.

Jena

[MikeJoel]

So far the cow seems to be submissive. It is almost sick the way it follows licks and rubs the horse.

The other day the cow smashed a wooden fence to get out with the horse when the horse was taken out. Today it threw a fit when I had it tied up.

It is strange since it really seems to be a gentle cow. It like I assume most cows don't particularly want to go where you want to but as long as you get a rope on the halter you can take it. Also I have been sitting in on it at feeding (like I was milking but patting and talking to it) to try to get it used to me by the time milking time comes.

When you say to separate them before the calf comes, do you mean for the cows protection or because the cow will want to fight the horse once the calf is born?

Also these cuts in the teat, should I be concerned about it? Will this prevent a nursing calf and milking after the calf is removed. I seem to remember reading somewhere there used to be little tips that could be inserted into the nipple of a cut teat to make milking less painful for it.

By the way we try not to use antibiotics.

Michael

[JeffNY]

The horse could kill the calf. A horse might be this pretty animal, that has some majestic nature to it, however they have a nasty side to them sometimes. Not all horses are nasty, and some are in with goats. However some are not so nice, and have a side to them, especially those who are alone, then introduced with something. We have a donkey, she has been with other critters before, she has been good, doesn't chase the calves, and beef cows. Her son, who was born last August is not so nice, he chases the calves, or atleast did, and bit at them. Once I got after him, more or less chased him down a few times, he stopped. He doesn't seem to bother them like he was, plays with the older calves. Once that cow calves, keep the calf away from the horse, do not let the calf with the horse or you might find it dead. If the horse is exhibiting that behaviour, who knows what it actually might do.


For cut teats, use vitamin E, and get some bag balm. Start NOW so the teats can start to heal.

Jeff

[Hammer4]

The horse and the cow are both herd animals, they are trying to form a herd with each other.

I agree on seperating them before the calf comes, I run our cattle and horses together year round, except at calving time. I seperate the cows ( and calf when it comes ) until the calf is a month old or so and can get around well. Our horses are good around the cattle, they don't run them or nip them or anything. The horses will put their head down with their ears back if the cattle are in the horses path or where the horses want to be, the horses are the dominant animal.

In your case I would consider getting a companion horse/donkey for your horse and keep your cow seperate until she calves and has her calf for company.

It is normally a good idea to not have just one horse or one cow, they need others to form their herd. Maybe you can foster a rescue horse or donkey, something like that.

[momanto]

bump- how are things coming along?

mom

[MikeJoel]

Nothing yet.
She is showing signs though so hopefully soon.

Mike