Building on the last post here at the Wisconsin Beef Information Center regarding cattle handling safety, Dr. Ron Gill and Dr. Rick Machen, Extension Livestock Specialists at Texas A & M AgriLife Extension have written a fact sheet titled Cattle Handling Tips. This fact sheet addresses several topics regarding how to use cattles natural behavior to your advantage when handling them.
Here is a quote from the beginning of the fact sheet:
“Most cattle handlers, and it does not matter if you are a “cowboy, cowgirl, buckaroo, cow hand, cow man, farm hand or stockman”, have learned by watching someone else work stock. Everyone thinks they know how to “work cattle” because they have always been able to get the job done. The moment you admit you do not know everything is the starting point for improving handling skills.
If you have had a thought similar to “that stupid ole’ cow” you have room to improve your abilities as a stockman. Cattle are not stupid and usually do what they are asked to do. However, if ask incorrectly cattle will likely not respond as intended. When this happens we have come to rely on facilities, equipment or manpower to force them to do what is needed. This results in increased stress on cattle and handlers and results in cattle becoming more difficult to handle.
In a very simple explanation of stress… If you decide to do something it is not stressful; if you are forced to do something it will be stressful. Sound stockmanship involves convincing an animal the intended movement is their idea. Force is avoided and stress is reduced.”
Source:uwex.edu