Chapter 2: Livestock Safety and Restraint

How should we move a herd of cattle?

Calmly and quietly. Use their point of balance. Use of electric prods is reserved for encouraging animals to move when other methods have failed.

What two types of restraint are commonly used when restraining LA?

Chemical Physical

Describe casting in regards to porcine restraint.

Control the snout. Cast with ropes. Some farms have crates, chutes, and head catches. V troughs.

How do we restrain sheep?

Don't grab by the wool. Care when using horns. "Setting up" Shepherd's crook Halter Chute

What do we worry about most with cattle restraint? Why?

STRESS. Causes a loss of production which results in lower profits. Increased feed requirements results in increased cost. Decreased immunity results in increased illness. Death results in lower profits.

What species can be successfully restrained by the technique of "setting up"?

Sheep.

How should we lead a horse?

Stand 12-18 inches away. Hold 6-12 inches down on the lead rope. Lead from the poll. Turn the horse away from you. Never try to outmuscle them. Always fold the lead in an accordion style.

How do we get a recumbent cow up?

Stand along the spine. Use a blunt object to encourage them to stand.

Describe sheep behavior.

Timid. Don't like being petted. Easily frightened, seldom aggressive. Aggression. Herding: -much like cattle -strong flocking instinct -point of balance -flight zone

What must we never do with a lead rope?

Wrap around your hand, arm, or neck.

The proper location to apply a hog snare or snubbing rope is...

around the upper jaw/maxilla.

The primary defense mechanism of swine...

biting.

When a ruminant must be placed in lateral recumbency for a procedure, the preferred position to minimize the risk of developing bloat is...

right lateral recumbency.

How do we restrain cattle?

1. Drive a group to a smaller working area. 2. Crowd the animals in a tub. 3. Move them up an alleyway to the chute.

How do we restrain piglets?

By back legs. Gentle but firm. Don't chase or catch by ears, front legs, or tails. Squealing upsets the sows.

How do we restrain goats?

By the beard. Horns can be held near the base. Don't restrain by the ears. Lateral recumbency. Collars. Small kids are usually held in the lap for procedures such as dehorning.

What can we use along with our halter, if our horse is being uncooperative?

Chain shanks or lead shanks. -over the nose -through the mouth -under the chin

Describe camelid restraint.

Combination of equine/bovine. Generally gentle but can be aggressive/spit regurgitated stomach contents. Pay attention to ears and tail carriage for behavior cues (horses). Halters like an equine, handle from the left side. Don't make direct eye contact or touch ears. Can use stocks and chutes but with less squeeze. Cria (babies) heads restrained like adults and carried like sheep/goats.

What things should be taken into consideration when restraining cattle?

Decrease stress as much as possible. Should never be underestimated. Herd animals. Never turn your back on a bull or cows with calves (particularly dairy bulls).

Where are a horses blind spots?

Directly behind their hindquarters Directly in front of the tip of their nose Directly between the eyes in the forehead Directly above the head and between the ears. -Avoid unannounced or rapid movements in these areas.

Who can we use tail restraint on?

Foals and small ponies. Not adults. Used to move, lift or support the hindquarters. Tail tie.

Describe goat behavior.

Gregarious Inquisitive Respond to human touch and affection Can be aggressive Independent Social hierarchy Lack of herding behavior Alpha

What types of devices can we use to restrain a horse?

Halter Lead Rope Chain Shank Lead Shank Elevate Leg Twitches Tail Restraint Stock Mother (foal) E-collar Cross Ties Hobbles

What will we use a majority of the time to restrain a horse?

Halter and lead rope.

What are the parts of a chute?

Head gate Tail gate Squeeze

What are signs of stress in cattle?

Increased respiration. High mortality. Teeth grinding. Poor product quality. Nervousness. Poor growth rate. Poor reproduction. Increase flight zone.

What is the number one way to restrain a calf?

Lateral recumbency using flanking.

What side should we also approach a horse on?

Left side.

Describe twitches when restraining horses.

Mechanical or manual. -hands -ears (grab ear and twist, unethical-can damage ear peprmanently and makes horse head shy) -chain -humane. Never let go of chain twitches. Apply only enough pressure to do the job. Shoulder twitch by grabbing the skin of the shoulder with your hands.

Describe casting when it comes to restraining cattle.

Method of forcing an animal to the ground, usually with ropes.

Why would we elevate a horses leg during an exam?

Mild form of restraint. Intended to discourage a horse from moving around or kicking. Required for several other procedures.

Describe foal restraint.

Naturally follow the mare. Should not be thrown to the ground.

How do we restrain a lamb?

One hand under the body, while the other hand supports the neck. Castration and tail docking restraint. Can set in lap.

What must we always do when restraining LA?

PREPARE Know species specific behaviors. Be familiar with your equipment. Protect the animal, yourself, and coworkers. The veterinarian is ultimately responsible for liability. Can be abusive if used incorrectly. Use the least amount necessary to do the job safely, and do not apply it any longer than necessary.

How do we halter a horse?

Place lead rope around neck. Place the nose band on first. Pass the crown strap behind the ears. Unloop the lead rope.

Describe equine restraint.

Prey animals. Herd animals Dangers: -strike with front legs -kick with the hind legs -throw their heads violently -assume they are all capable of these behaviors Speak softly Approach at a 45 degree angle to the shoulder "Near side" or left side Avoid quick movements Make contact at the shoulder Never walk under a tied rope. Blind spots Avoid unannounced or rapid movements. Blindfold on same side of procedure or both eyes. -Don't cover the eye. -Remove easily. -Can tuck into halter. -Some will be resistant. Halter and lead rope. -Stand on same side as the person performing the procedure, approach from the left side, never coil or drag lead rope, lead from the poll, and use the buddy system. -Tie with a quick release knot on a short tie, cross ties. -Never wrap lead rope around hand, arm, or neck! -loop the lead rope over the neck before putting on a halter.

Describe a tail jack when restraining cattle.

Pull tail directly over the back of the animal towards the midline. Useful in a chute to get them to move in and out.

Describe stocks for horse restraint.

Some horses may need to be tranquilized. Two gates side by side. Can make a temporary one out of hay bales. Horse may jump over

Describe swine restraint.

Stubborn but smart. Herding instinct. Vocal. Easily heat stressed. Tapping on the back can show dominance. Not athletic but fast. Aggression: biting, barking, and tusks. Herding is difficult to do in an open area, can use boards (hurdles), paddles/sticks, and blindfolding them causes them to walk backwards. Hog snare or a snubbing rope is only used on the top jaw. Will become very vocal. Watch for occlusion of breathing or cyanosis of the rostral snout. Hindleg hobble. Casting

What ways can we restrain cattle?

Tailing Tail Jack Chutes Halters Nose leads Nose rings Hobbles Lifting legs Tilt table Casting Posting up

Describe tailing when restraining cattle.

The middle of the tail is grasped and twisted forward to one side or the other, over the back, and off of the midline. Too much pressure can break the tail. Don't stand directly behind them.

How should we tie a horse up?

Use 2 feet of rope. Use a safety release knot. Tie horses away from strange horses. Always untie a horse before taking off the halter.

Describe posting up when it comes to restraining cattle.

When a pull is inserted between the bars of a chute that keeps the cow on one side of the chute.

The first step in restraining a foal is to...

catch and restrain the mare.

Aggression in a goat is usually expressed as...

head-butting.

When restraining the legs of a foal positioned in lateral recumbency, the restrainers should hold the foal's legs...

just proximal to the carpus/tarsus.

Improper use of an ear twitch can potentially result in...

permanent deformity of the ear from breaking the cartilage of the ear pinna or temporary or permanent drooping of the ear from nerve damage.

The key anatomic part of a bovine animal that is used strategically to help herd and direct cattle is the...

shoulder area.