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Post by hughespieds on Aug 29, 2019 9:02:40 GMT -6
I'm really thinking about breaking a couple of calves to the halter this year and was wondering about techniques. Would you mind sharing yours??
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Post by randy on Aug 29, 2019 9:27:42 GMT -6
Put a rope halter on them and leave it. I tie them and feed them at the that time.
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Post by bootjackbulls on Aug 29, 2019 15:53:38 GMT -6
Put a rope halter on them and leave it. I tie them and feed them at the that time. Exactly! Put a rope halter on them and let them drag it for a few days. Every time they step on the tail, they learn to equate stopping with the release of pressure on the rope. Just keep a close eye on them for rope burn on nose, chin and poll. Make sure they are in a pen that they can't easily get the halter tangle on something an hang themselves. After a couple of days, put them in a small pen and grab the end of the rope. Short tugs and turning them in circles teaches them to give to pressure and seek the reward of the release of pressure. Over time, work your way up the lead until you are next to them as normal. Keep their head up and if you can, tie them with their head up a bit higher. Be sure if you do tie them with their heads up, keep close eye on them, it's not the time to go to the house for lunch or run into town. Keeping their head up is not only aesthetically pleasing, it helps you maintain control. Good Luck! |
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Post by hughespieds on Aug 30, 2019 7:15:02 GMT -6
Thanks, but do you do anything to get the animals calmed down? My buddy had one that was fine once she was caught, but catching her was a big problem. Any techniques for that?
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Post by randy on Aug 30, 2019 10:34:33 GMT -6
You need to be able to run them in to a pretty small pen. Tie a knot in the end of the halter rope so you can use a hook to hook the rope. I always just catch the halter rope and drag them to where i will feed them tie them all up and feed everone at the same time. They use to it pretty quick. I have also fed them range cubes when just one or two by hand when you catch them.
Once you get them tied you can curry or brush them to calm them down.
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Post by hughespieds on Aug 30, 2019 12:34:18 GMT -6
Thanks! That sounds good. Pretty basic stuff here, but we need more tips, tricks and techniques on this board for any potential new members to find us. Keep 'em coming please.
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Post by 3LT Farms on Aug 30, 2019 12:43:09 GMT -6
Used to see them tied to a donkey. Might not be the most common thing to do but, I know it seemed to work.
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Post by hughespieds on Aug 30, 2019 12:52:27 GMT -6
Used to see them tied to a donkey. Might not be the most common thing to do but, I know it seemed to work. I've also heard that and that a donkey would break one to lead pretty quickly. I've seen one drug by tractor back in high school but it wasn't pretty. |
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Post by alacowman on Aug 30, 2019 15:17:48 GMT -6
I halter broke a Brahman bull calf once..."Once"" wrapped a inner tube around a post and ran the lead through it so it would give to pressure, and take.worked pretty well ..got him to where I could handle him ....don't know that I accomplished much..just something I thought I'd try.. and got over it..
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Post by randy on Aug 30, 2019 18:54:48 GMT -6
Its mostly just spending the time around them to do it. Some are easy some never get it.
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Post by okie on Aug 30, 2019 19:36:20 GMT -6
I've done a few. I let them drag a rope for a few days. I tie a long cotton rope on the end of the lead line. That way I can always get close enough to get ahold of them if they want to move away. Or you could do it like my daughter did with the two limi heifers I let her show and just start petting them while they eat and then one day walk up and stick a halter on them and start yanking on it until they figure it out. I doubt that method would work with most cattle, though.
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Post by greybeard on Aug 31, 2019 10:14:55 GMT -6
My father tried the tractor thing with an Angus heifer I had as a kid for an FFA project. She would just set her legs stiff and bounce along for a hundred yards at a time and over the course of every day for a week, never did break into a walk. That was the last Angus we ever had. Next years, it was Herefords, which halter broke easy.
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Post by okie on Aug 31, 2019 11:07:49 GMT -6
I forgot to share my other trick. I had a kid wanting a heifer so I helped him pick one of my replacements. She was stubborn and would sull up and not move BUT she was dog broke. I'd have one of my better dogs follow her and keep her moving. He was one I could tell to walk up or ease back and hit on command. He only had to hit her once or twice real light and it was problem solved. The day that kid showed her all she cared about was trying to see behind her but he still did okay with her.
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