training heifer to accept hobbles

[vaponydoc]

Hi, all,

There is so much good advice on the forum on working with first calf heifers and getting them used to the milking routine.

I have a specific question for our heifer who is due to calve in about ten days. I would really like to have her used to being hobbled and wonder if anyone has advice on acclimating her to that. She is used to coming into the stocks and being handled but her mom was a kicker and I don't want a repeat of that experience!

Thanks,
Anna

[francismilker]

Honestly, I can't tell you how to "train" her. But, I can say I've used some homeade hobbles in the past and I install them as follows:

1. have a seat on milk stool
2. reach under udder and connect hobble to far leg. (if she's gonna kick at you, at least it will be a leg away from you.)
3. stand up and turn your backside to her to install the hobble closest to you. (if she kicks with this leg it's good to have her kick you away from her.)

Have a great rodeo!

[springvalley]

I have no use for hobbles, they get in the way, are not good to use(for you or her), and once you start to use them on a cow they expect to have them on each time you milk. I have allways found just messing with the heifers and their udders, they get use to you being down there doing things. I also scratch their belly when I start milking them and they really like that. I have had a few stuborn ones, but they come around after awhile. I had a heifer I couldn`t leave for six weeks while milking, she came around and is one of my best cows now. So just mess with your heifer, and pitch the hobbles. >Thanks marc

[gone-a-milkin]

I would try her w/o hobbles first, maybe she wont be like her mama.

That said, I disagree that if you use them at first, you will always need them.
Usually 3 milkings MAX is all I have needed to use them. By that time a young heifer will understand what is happening and know there is grain involved.
Unless she is completely insane , which is uncommon.

Another thing that works well is to lift the tail, just below the tailhead. It takes 2 people, but lots of times that will quiet a silly heifer right down, being unbalanced like that.

Good luck with her and be patient. Dont lose your cool.

[matt_man]

I would use a kick stop over hobbles but I agree that I would try without first.

I've had 2 first time heifers calve in the last two weeks and neither one even lifted a leg.