training cow to lead

tblazi · #1 02/20/13, 07:54 AM

I've trained my 9mo. jersey to lead but, when I go to touch her on her side she will often face me with a lowered head and swing it back and forth, turning her rump away from me. She has horns and I would like to teach her that she should keep her horns away from me. Any ideas?

SpaceCadet12364 · #2 02/20/13, 09:03 AM

Know you build trust. By brushing, touching and scratching and treats. Find a treat she likes like alfalfa cubes, range cubes, apples, bread,something. You get what you want touching her, she gets what she wants a treat. She may even think a brushing is a treat. Ours break out a brush they form a line.

Copperhead · #3 02/20/13, 01:47 PM

Definitely feed the grain only as a treat and only when you want to work with her. When her nose is in the bucket, break out the brush and get to work. Of course, short-roping her in a corner will help get the process started. Just watch to make sure she doesn't learn to kick!

Like SpaceCadet, I got more mileage out of a curry comb than feed, but I was starting with 600lb Angus heifers that had been free ranging their entire life.

Think of the head lowered and swinging back and forth as an invitation to slip a noose over her head and be haltered

pancho · #4 02/20/13, 02:03 PM

You could do it the way my father did it.
He locked me in a stall with a heifer and wouldn't open the door until I could lead her out.

haypoint · #5 02/20/13, 02:16 PM

While you are giving your lesson, she is giving you hers. She is warning you to leave her alone or she is going to ram you and throw you over her head. She is also teaching you to be afraid of those horns because one day he intends on using them on you.

I have been in an open field with a ton bull (no horns) and when he faced me, with his rump away from me, head down and swinging back and forth, I instinctually understood the rest of the lesson he was about to teach me.
I discussed this exact problem with a Livestock animal Behaviorist and her suggestion was to carry a two by four and bonk her on the horn the next time she tries this stunt.

Cheryl aka JM · #6 02/20/13, 03:15 PM

I have what I call my "Better-be-good-sticks". Just a long thin stick hurts like the dickens if you get whacked with it. I collect them and leave them all over the property next to doors and gates, Most of the animals never have to get wacked with it~ showing it to them usually does the trick. The problem is I get complacent and forget my stick~ thats usually when one of them will decide to see whats in the bucket I'm carrying whether I like it or not.

**gone-a-milkin** · #7 02/20/13, 03:50 PM

This is not a matter of 'gaining her trust'.
She is disrespecting you and threatening to seriously harm you.

Carry a stick and when she even begins to lower her head at you, give her a little sting on the nose.

Cattle that are allowed to push people around do not make good milkers.

lonelyfarmgirl · #8 02/20/13, 03:52 PM

I agree with haypoint. He who has the bigger horns wins the best spot in the sun. You need to be bigger and badder than her. I like to carry either a light weight baseball bat, or 2 rods that are an inch in diameter and about 3 feet long, wood. I carry when we are moving or loading cattle. Ours arent aggressive, but when they try to back track, one good whack on the horn reminds them I have the bigger horns.
Also remember her age. She is hitting puberty. She is a teenager. She will challenge you as is fitting with the onset of hormones. Don't let her win. It will pass, but don't let her win. If she gives you trouble, your retaliation should be swift, fierce and unexpected. Remember, shes big enough to crush you. As long as you dont kick her in the udder or the poon-tang, you arent going to hurt her very bad.