Author Topic: Horny Cows (Read 4560 times)

Bex · « **on:** March 16, 2015, 07:51:35 pm »

I know quite a few of you have cows of the horned variety but they have always given me pause.

Until now, I had been planning on Dexters when I start with cows but had always planned on buying polled.

I have now discovered a rare breed in Brittany (Brettone Pie Noire) that is quite similar to the Dexter. As it is looking like that's where we might end up, I'm thinking I'd quite like to support a local rare breed.

However, every picture I've seen of them has horns and it seems like they don't come in a polled variety.

Could you reassure me that they are not as dangerous as I imagine.

I realise that it will depend on the temprement of each individual animal but how likely am I to end up skewered on the end of the horns?

$:-\$

landroverroy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2015, 08:21:51 pm »

Well, I'd always favoured polled cows until my younger son fancied some Highlands.So, in order to maintain his interest in cattle, we encouraged him to get some.
In actual fact, because the horns are so obvious, you cannot but be aware of them and keep a respectful distance. In fact horned cattle are no more likely to purposefully impale you than polled cattle are to butt you. A placid animal, whether horned or not, will not deliberately hurt you without good reason. (Like it's just calved.) A bad tempered one of any sort wants getting rid of anyway.
So - I would say that if you like a horned breed - go for it.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2015, 10:16:00 pm »

Accidents will be more serious if the cattle are horned.

Feeding and handling equipment may be different and more expensive.

I once helped a local farmer to do his bTB tests. We tested the 64 Angus cows and all their followers in 1 hour and 10 minutes. It then took nearly another hour to get the single pet Highland steer safely roped and tested

landroverroy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2015, 10:54:22 pm »

Quote from: SallyintNorth on March 16, 2015, 10:16:00 pm

Accidents will be more serious if the cattle are horned.

Feeding and handling equipment may be different and more expensive.

I once helped a local farmer to do his bTB tests. We tested the 64 Angus cows and all their followers in 1 hour and 10 minutes. It then took nearly another hour to get the single pet Highland steer safely roped and tested

We would get a similar result if someone else were helping to gather our Highlands. Whereas our Herefords, like your neighbour's Angus, can be gathered by anyone, the Highlands are very wary of anyone they are not used to. Mark (son) and I (and a bucket of carrots)can gather any of them in an 18 acre field in half an hour. With a cast of thousands it would take all day to get half of them.

langfauld easycare · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:31:02 am »

i have about 60 cattle various breeds there is a dozen highlands dont find them any worse to work with but they are bad for giving the other cattle a knock with there horns just because they can . planning on taking the horns of them as i just want them as commercial out wintered cows and have mainly standard crush and ring feeders . i have a few anguses one of them would run over the top of you to get out the pens .my polled herefords are my favorites nice and slow and calm and out winter well . i fancy some gascons but they are hard to come by .

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:17:45 am »

Quote from: landroverroy on March 16, 2015, 10:54:22 pm

Quote from: SallyintNorth on March 16, 2015, 10:16:00 pm
Accidents will be more serious if the cattle are horned.

Feeding and handling equipment may be different and more expensive.

I once helped a local farmer to do his bTB tests. We tested the 64 Angus cows and all their followers in 1 hour and 10 minutes. It then took nearly another hour to get the single pet Highland steer safely roped and tested
We would get a similar result if someone else were helping to gather our Highlands. Whereas our Herefords, like your neighbour's Angus, can be gathered by anyone, the Highlands are very wary of anyone they are not used to. Mark (son) and I (and a bucket of carrots)can gather any of them in an 18 acre field in half an hour. With a cast of thousands it would take all day to get half of them.

The person roping the Highland steer was the farmer, whose pet it was. The rest of us stood well away and watched from afar. It was rather beautiful, actually - the steer really didn't want to hurt his 'dad', but he also really didn't want to be roped; the farmer really didn't want to get caught by those horns but really wanted his boy roped without stress... they executed a slow motion dance, the steer's long sweeping horns moving slowly and gracefully, dipping gently away from the rope as it was thrown... I don't think any of us resented the hour it took

My point was only that there is more to handling horned cattle, and to think through the implications before deciding that horned cattle are for you.

Cowgirl · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:41:14 am »

When we got our cows I was wary of horns too but my husband wanted a rare breed so we got them anyway. However what we decided was that we would dehorn the males at birth or soon after and leave the females, as a dehorned female gets a rough deal when the others are horned and there was no way we were going to dehorn our first cows as adults. You can get knocked by a horn by accident but our cattle would never dream of trying to hurt you, and if one did I wouldn't keep it, much as I love them. We did decide to invest in a crush for handling with a head gate which closes behind the horns. We have never had one hurt another seriously but then we don't mix strange cattle in with the group - they all know who is the alpha cow and they all know their place.
So now we don't even think about the horns. And as for getting them in the crush, the worst is our dehorned steer!

Factotum · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2015, 08:58:55 am »

We keep Shetlands - all horned - not had any problems with handling - they fit through a standard crush.

I guess we've got used to horned cattle - we don't find the horns add much to the 'danger' of keeping cattle as horns are not the only dangerous bit.

I've had a cow stand on my foot - she wanted to enure she got all the carrots - the re-enforced toe caps stopped any major damage, and there's some risk when the cattle are 'playing' that someone could get knocked over in the rush and general excitement. You just have to be aware of what's going on behind you and try to stay out of trouble.

Our calves like to try to creep up on unsuspecting 2 legs - and then jump back in surprise when the 2 legs turns around - even a calf can hurt if it runs into you - and apparently 2 legs are a very good scratching post for itchy horn buds.

Any beast, horned or otherwise, has the potential to damage the unwary keeper.

Sue

Rosemary · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2015, 09:22:42 am »

Like Sue, we have Shetlands. Yes, aware of the horns. Ours are placid and are halter trained (the girls anyway) and almost put their own halters on. Yes, they can give you a knock but how dangerous they are I think comes down to the individual animals temperament. If I was scared of any of ours, I'd put them away.

Me · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:06:20 pm »

I've tested highlands behind a gate, not good, need a specialist crush (not forthcoming) fortunately I can bob and weave a bit. The problem is if you bob when you should have weaved you will get knocked right out.

Same place going to calve a white park looking cow, she was trotting up and down a feed barrier with her tail in the air, farmer and I stood the other side scratching heads and generally wondering how we were going to calve this nutter, she stopped suddenly, shoved her head through the barrier and slashed directly upwards with those horns at my legs and belly and was out again all in less than a second - evil bitch.

Cattle are dangerous and with horns they are dangerous with horns on!

landroverroy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:08:27 pm »

I'm not trying to be pedantic Sally

(honest!) but just find it rather strange that the Highland you were dealing with was a "pet" but the farmer still had to spend an hour roping it before he could catch it?!
Our specially tame ones will follow you anywhere (if only out of curiosity!) or, as Rosemary said, will almost put their own halters on.

landroverroy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2015, 12:24:42 pm »

Quote from: Me on March 17, 2015, 12:06:20 pm

I've tested highlands behind a gate, not good, need a specialist crush (not forthcoming) fortunately I can bob and weave a bit. The problem is if you bob when you should have weaved you will get knocked right out.

Same place going to calve a white park looking cow, she was trotting up and down a feed barrier with her tail in the air, farmer and I stood the other side scratching heads and generally wondering how we were going to calve this nutter, she stopped suddenly, shoved her head through the barrier and slashed directly upwards with those horns at my legs and belly and was out again all in less than a second - evil bitch.

Cattle are dangerous and with horns they are dangerous with horns on!

What you say is right, but:
1. Unless it's an emergency, (which testing isn't) no one should expect a vet to deal with an animal that's not properly restrained. You do not need a specialist crush for Highlands. There are standard ones which have a lot of open space at the top that are quite adequate. We bought one locally for £200 and our Highlands and White Park can get through - no problem.
2. The "evil bitch" is typical of the type of animal you would NOT keep - with or without horns!
3. Horns can never not be dangerous. But they are so obvious that in a way they act like a red flag to remind of the dangers of cattle in general.

Me · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2015, 01:35:53 pm »

Don't disagree with point 1. Sadly IME vets are expected to deal with such animals daily eg. most of the caesars I've done with the cows on a halter with crush unavailable or unsuitable. I did take to dragging the cow into crushes backwards and yolking the head so at least the front was held properly. A stat came out the other day that LA practice (horse?) was the most dangerous civilian job going. I have been injured several times

Point 2. You are right I would not keep an animal like that five minutes, again sadly people do. I will PM you a c-section story which still amazes me

Point 3.. Yep

Bex · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2015, 03:44:04 pm »

Thanks for all your thoughts folks. Plenty to think about.

I guess once I'm closer to getting them I should go and visit some, spend some time with them and make sure I'm confident about being around them.

I'll let you know what I get, but it wont be for a long while yet.