I need a new plan.

[us4davis]

Ok, so I kinda have a slight problem...
Someone donated a steer to me the first week in December. My plan was to show him as a prospect steer in the spring. And then show and sell him at the state fair in the fall. He is currently about 10 months old. Well, we just recently found out that he can't have horns when he shows. I will mention that this is my first cow ever, so I wasn't even thinking when we got him( he was 7 months). He has horns but they are blunt, and are about 5 inches. So anywhos we called the show office and they said that he had to have 2 inches. My mama read a post on here about cutting off his horns. We attempted to trim his horns dow today they wouldn't be 2 inches but they would be 3. Better than 5. Well all that we got out of that was lots of bleeding. We did stop it and that is better though. So the show is Monday evening and I am going to take him anyway. But after that I don't know what I am going to do with him. It would be sooooooo expensive to have him professionally dehorned. Plus there's finding a vet who would do them, and there's finding a vet in my area!!! I live in the middle of nowhere like lots of people but we don't even have a livestock vet!!!!! So any suggestions on what to do with him??? My family is attached to him so eating him is not an option. ( I would though!) But there are people who have asked me if I wanted to sell him. But I have to think ahead on this. I have no idea what to do!!!! Thanks in advance, And sorry for making this post sooooooo long!!

Abbi

[JeffNY]

There is a tool to take their horns off completely at that age. We did a few that were 12 months old. We used a tool called the "Giatine", it looked like one, and was very interesting. It is quick, but works. Can't remember what we paid, but it wasn't all that bad to do 4.


Hopefully they wont give you grief, many of these show places, not all, but many are so darn political, and if your animal has a chance to win, they can be even more of a pain. Unless they break out their ruler, shouldn't be an issue. Good luck.


Jeff

[us4davis]

Thanks a bunch

[us4davis]

Where did you find it at??? I can't find it anywhere!!

Thanks,

Abbi

[pancho]

If you decide to try dehorning him and showing him monday you mught rethink it. They will probably not let you show the steer or even keep him near the other animals. It may be a wasted trip and put even more stress on him after the dehorning.

[bumpus]

.
The steer has already been stressed and if you cut off the rest of the horns he will stress even more.

You also do not want to hall him in a trailer because that will stress him even and he could die.

If you are going to cut the horns cut them off completely because the will still grow. The meat inside of the horn is a raw nerve and causes a lot of pain whaen cut off, and can bleed a lot. Know what you are doing.

If your not going to eat him I would sell him now.

If flies are out in your area they will lay magots on the raw meat this time of year and cause another problem.


bumpus
.

[us4davis]

Thanks, I think that I need to make it clear though that we are not planning on dehorning him before Monday.We took off about 1/4 of an inch so we didn't get to far down it didn't bleed as much as we thought it would though. It just seemed like alot because it was everywhere!!! But hopefuly sometime after the show I will be able to dehorn him?? I don't know yet. I know that this causes a ton of stress on them, and can be risky for infection. So I am not sure about that. He is not extremly big right now though. According to the weight tape about 650. And he is as Hereford( don't know if this makes any difference?? If I am not able to dehorn him after the show, then I will be looking for another cow to show at the state fair. Hopefully!!! Maybe mama and daddy will let me!!!

Thanks for all of the help,
Abbi

[Philip]

If he's only for home consumption, why bother ? If not, at his age he should be properly done by a vet with anaesthetic. Its a gory job anyway but NOT a job an amateur should attempt. I'll happily attempt most jobs, but not one like that ! It is painful to the beast and extremely dangerous for you if you don't have a crush and head bail. An enraged steer his age can cause a lot of damage to person and property - beware !!

[cindy04]

This is a VERY painful procedure at this age for your steer. You may want to rethink going through with this.

[lgslgs]

If you are attached to him, consider training him up as an ox and letting him earn his keep at your place - or train him well and sell him to someone who can use him.

Lynda