Cattle – handling
Information about handling, training and showing cattle.
Schools that keep cattle must have the use of suitably constructed yards, a race and a crush.
Fences, gateways, gates and all facilities used to handle cattle must be constructed and maintained to reduce the risk of injury.
Students must not use an electric goad or cattle prod on cattle.
If a dog is used with cattle, then it must be under control of the teacher, farm assistant or person in charge of the activity, at all times.
Working with cattle
| Approved activities | Category |
|---|---|
| Observation of animal behaviour | 1 |
| Observation of particular animal behaviours, e.g. oestrus, parturition | 2 |
As cattle are a species that are preyed upon they tend to stay together in herds, seeking comfort and protection. This means that individuals become stressed, and may be dangerous when they are isolated from the herd. Always try to avoid getting between an isolated animal and the rest of the herd. An individual that breaks from the mob will soon feel vulnerable and generally return.
Because of their vision and their nature sudden movements tend to startle them. This includes flapping materials and wind blown papers. Such things will cause animals to baulk or change direction and so care should be taken to remove such objects from yards and races.
Cattle follow the leader and are motivated to maintain visual contact with each other.
As cattle also have a blind spot directly behind them, entering this blind spot too quickly or unannounced may cause the animal to kick. An animal with a very small or no flight zone should be handled by placing a hand on its shoulder and moving around it while talking to it quietly.
Caution should be exercised with cows that have recently calved as even the quietest cow can become highly aroused and protective of its newborn calf.
Cattle want to see who or what is pressuring them. Thus standing in the animals’ blind spot for too long can cause them to stop and turn to face the handler. This stops movement.
The flight zones of animals can be reduced by consistent calm handling with time spent walking through the mob or by training.
Because of their flight zones and the fact that they need to focus on the handler with two eyes to accurately estimate distance, cattle tend to move around a handler in a circular motion or through a gateway in a curve. The means that the position of the handler is important when drafting or moving cattle through gateways.
Four principles that are important when working with cattle.
- Position. The position of the handler in relation to the eye of the cattle is extremely important. This means that the handler should always work animals on the side.
- Pressure. Whatever pressure is applied must be released. This translates into moving towards the animal then moving away, stopping the movement of the livestock talker and reducing the number of people in the yards.
- Movement. This can be increasing or decreasing the movement of the handler’s body or livestock talker. Jumping, waving or using a livestock talker are all acceptable and effective ways of increasing movement. Sticks, flags and livestock talkers should be used as extensions of the handler’s body. They should not be used as a tool to hit animals with.
- Communication. It is essential that the handler communicates clearly to the cattle and to the other handlers.
The way that cattle behave during handling is a result of:
- the amount of handling they have had
- the quality of that handling
- their genetics.
Mustering, drafting, capture and handling of cattle
| Approved activities | Category |
|---|---|
| Mustering, drafting (in crush or head bail), capture, restraint and handling of non-free-living domesticated animals (leading or riding an appropriately trained animal). | 3 |
| Familiarisation | 2 |
Best practice mustering and handling starts with good preparation. This involves setting up gates to allow flow and movement but always aiming to have control of the cattle movement. This requires a balance between having gates open and/or closed at the chosen points.
It is essential that livestock handlers maintain good communication between each other and that all facilities and equipment that will be needed for the job are prepared and in good working order.
The time spent mustering and working livestock provides an invaluable opportunity to observe their general health status. These principles are further explained in the Preparation for mustering video (2:56) below.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
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Handling livestock is far more than just chasing them around the paddock or the yards.
We are going to share with you livestock behaviour and livestock techniques on how to handle these animals appropriately. Livestock handling is far more than just handling livestock, it’s about getting things prepared.
The things we need to consider before we go and get the cattle from the paddock is we need to make sure that everybody knows what’s going on. We need to make sure that our facilities – the yards and our equipment is either suitable or ready for use.
The other thing we need to consider is the livestock that we’re handling. When we go to get our livestock the way in which we do that affects how the livestock perform and react when we handle them in the yards. We need to think about all those things well and truly before we go and get our livestock.
Setting up gates is a balance between making sure that we’ve got good flow of movement of livestock through the gates and also ensuring that we have control of the livestock. So, at the cattle yards we want good flow of movement for the cattle to come into the yards so we make sure that the gates are set properly and of course open.
When we get to the paddock where the cattle are located we just don’t rush in and chase the cattle about. We need to consider the individual and group behaviour of the animals in the paddock. And whilst we’re making a plan with the person that we’re with in mustering the livestock we think about all the other things that are in the paddock – the water, the feed available and the way that the cattle have been travelling in that paddock. Then we set off about going and getting the cattle.
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When we go into the paddock we close that gate to maintain control so that we only move the gate open when we get the livestock together and we’re ready to move into the laneway.
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[End of transcript]
Mustering involves gathering up individual animals and groups of animals and bringing them together. It is important that cattle walk not run when being mustered. Cattle that run to yards end up being agitated and need to be rested before they can be worked again.
Using cattle’s natural herd instinct makes the job of mustering more efficient and safer for humans and animals. The Mustering cattle video (2:17) below demonstrates the principles of efficient mustering.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
(bright upbeat music)
When we set off to go and get the cattle we need to consider a few things. We need to consider the class of cattle. Are they cows and calves? Are they bulls that might be aggressive? Or are they weaners that have had little experience in handling? We need to also consider the time of day. Is it early morning? In the middle of the day? Or late afternoon?
We also need to consider the purpose of why we’re mustering the cattle. Is it for loading them out on a truck? Or are we doing a process in the yards?
Cattle are herding animals so when we’re mustering we want to take individuals and groups of animals and put them in one big herd or mob.
We do this in such a way not to startle or frighten the cattle. We want them to walk and not run. This is all for the benefit of them and also for us.
Once we have the cattle in a herd or mob someone will take the lead. This is important because it gives us direction and also sets the pace for the livestock. Someone will go to the rear of the mob and their job is to create movement of the herd.
They do this by going left and right and applying pressure to the cattle and also importantly releasing that pressure.
Remember the hardest part of any livestock movement is getting them started. So, make sure that you have good pace in your livestock.
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[End of transcript]
A mob of cattle has structure and dynamics. Some animals are leaders and they are out in front, helping to direct the mob. Other animals are potential leaders and move just behind the leaders. If the leader individuals are drafted into another mob then the potential leaders will take over the leader role. The most insecure animals are in the centre of the herd or mob, where there is the least amount of pressure. The majority of the mob or herd are the followers, looking to the leaders for direction and stability.
Movement is maintained by the handler moving in a zig zag pattern behind the mob. It is important that the handler moves far enough out to the side so that they come into the field of vision of the leaders.
The same principles apply to working cattle in the yards as in the paddock. Information about yard design can be found at Cattle yards and equipment.
The position of the handler in yards is extremely important if drafting and moving cattle into the race and crush is to be achieved with minimal stress. Livestock tend to curve around the handler to avoid pressure, to maintain the handler in their field of vision for as long as possible and to avoid having the handler in their blind spot.
Parallel movement can be used to draft animals from pen to pen, to count animals and to move animals along a race. Moving along the race in the opposite direction to the desired direction of movement of the cattle, will move the animals forward. This is often referred to as using parallel movement.
Temple Grandin provides further information in her article, Low stress methods for moving and herding cattle on pastures, paddocks and large feedlot pens.
During dry weather sprinklers or misters should be used in yards to settle the dust.
The Safety in the yards video (3:24) below demonstrates working animals in yards and some of the techniques that increase the safety of the handler.
Using parallel movement and understanding that cattle tend to curve around the handler can maximise efficiency in drafting and moving cattle through the yards.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
(bright upbeat music)
Communication between livestock handlers is very important. You should discuss what you’re about to do and how you are going to do it.
Parallel movement can be used to speed up or slow down livestock, whether it be out in the paddock, in gateways or along a race.
When moving cattle from yard to yard remember that we are doing this quietly and calmly. We are using our body position and movement to influence the cattle.
Firstly, move the cattle as close to the gateway as possible. Then, get into position to influence four or five animals to curve around you and into the yard. Move into such a position that you can use parallel movement to regulate the flow and speed of the animals into the yard.
When standing in the gateway choose the position that allows the cattle to naturally curve around you. The correct position will mean that the cattle are moving away from pressure that they can see you for as long as possible and you’re not in their blind spot.
Whilst moving cattle from yards to yards you need to consider that not all yards are the same size so make sure that you only fill yards half full. This will ensure that you have plenty of room for safety and plenty of room to be in the right position to effectively communicate with the cattle.
When positioning your gates, make sure that your gate is flush with the yard wherever possible. Also consider setting the gate in such a position that you can grab the gate easily when you want to close it. When closing the gate make sure that you have your hands and feet on the gate in case something should bump the gate whilst you’re closing it.
If you are working in pairs make sure the person not latching the gate is looking out on both sides of the gate that cattle don’t hit you. Once the gate is closed move around the cattle so that the cattle can come back and see that the gates are closed.
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The Moving cattle in the yards video (2:30) below demonstrates parallel movement, the use of livestock talkers and how yelling and excessive noise can be substituted by informed and skilled behaviour of the handlers.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
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It’s a common feature of cattle yards that we have a crush for restraining the cattle and a race leading up to the crush. The yards before the race often get smaller and narrower.
It is important when handling the livestock that you don’t necessarily have to handle the cattle inside the yard. You can influence and move the livestock by being outside the yard. You may choose to use a livestock talker to help you do this.
The livestock talker is a visual and movement aid. You can use it by moving it so that the cattle will see it and move away from it. It’s important that you do not use the livestock talker as a tool to touch the animals or to make excessive amounts of noise.
It is important when using sliding gates that you open them fully or close them fully. So, you should also not stand behind the gate when you are opening and closing it.
When moving the cattle from the force to the race ensure that the cattle in the forcing yard have ample room to move around and get into positions so they can easily enter the race. You can use parallel movement to help you do this so that the animals enter the race single file and and with good pace.
When moving cattle along the race you can simply use parallel movement to do this. Moving in the opposite direction to the cattle moves them up and moving in the same direction slows them down.
By using these techniques we are using the animal’s instinctive behaviour to do what we want so there is no need to touch them or make noise.
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Sometimes assistance to move cattle can be gained by the use of dogs, livestock talkers and goads. These are tools and rely on correct usage by the handler. Their correct usage can be seen in the Handling aids for moving livestock video (2:47) below.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
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Having an understanding of livestock behaviour and the principles that influence their movement is the primary driver in communicating with animals. There are many aids to assist you in moving livestock.
These aids are commonly referred to as goads, implements or tools. Their purpose is to help you move the livestock to where you want them to go. They should not be the primary means of moving the livestock.
These aids include paddles, flappers, flags and dogs. While some aids make noise, a good livestock aid’s primary effect should be visual. This is referring to the position of the aid in relation to the animal’s point of balance and flight zones, individually and as a herd.
The aid is an extension of the handler’s body so it can assist in applying and releasing pressure to the animal by its proximity to the animal. Increased movement of the aid can also assist to increase the movement and flow of the livestock.
The visual aid can be used to accentuate the handler’s position when using parallel movement to move stock along the race.
Dogs are a great tool to help move livestock from mustering in the paddock, moving stock from yard to yard, into sheds and along races. Good working dogs have natural instinctive ability to work livestock effectively. These dogs have been selected for these desirable characteristics providing valuable assistance to the livestock industry. Dogs influence or move livestock in several ways.
Firstly, they influence livestock by being a predator. This means that by their mere presence they can influence the behaviour of animals. In addition an effective dog uses movement, applying and releasing pressure and parallel movement to influence livestock to where we want them to go. Remember, the handler must always remain in control of the dog.
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Cattle have great memories and poor handling will create ongoing problems. A summary of these handling techniques can be seen in the Best practice cattle handling video (9:00) below.
Narrator: Boyd Holden – livestock handler
(bright upbeat music)
Hello, I’m Boyd Holden, a Livestock Handling Consultant and I’m here at Trangie Research Station to share with you the tools that we are going to use for livestock handling. We’re here creating a learning resource about handling sheep and cattle.
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Handling livestock starts well before we have cattle in the yards. The way in which we initially approach cattle can affect the whole process for the whole day. By understanding animal behaviour and what we need to do to communicate with them can make the job of working with animals easier, more efficient and safer for both the animals and the humans.
Cattle are herding animals. This means that they seek comfort and protection from being in one mob. This means you should make sure that you gather all the animals together before you head off in the direction you wish to go.
Remember, we are not chasing the animals, we are communicating with them by applying pressure and releasing it and using their flight zones. It is our movement and position that stimulates individual and herd movement.
Vision is the main sense which livestock use to communicate with each other and it is the one that we are using to move livestock. Always remember, if they can see you, you can influence them.
The movement of the person on the bike going from left to right is affecting all the cattle, not only the cattle at the back, but the cattle in the lead. The person in the front serves two purposes: firstly giving direction to the cattle and the stockpersons and secondly setting the pace. Wherever possible the cattle should walk. Cattle that run to yards or agitated are more unpredictable, difficult to handle and often need more time to settle before they can be worked.
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The stockperson creating the movement should move back and forth, zigzagging behind the herd, applying and releasing pressure to individual animals. This person should not linger behind each animal’s blind spot as this will cause an animal to stop and turn around. It is important that the sweeping movements are wide enough for the person to come into the field of vision of the lead animals. This ensures that the lead animals have pressure applied upon them and the movement continues. This means that the movement of the herd is not only a result of the pressure on the followers, it is easier to maintain movement. The hardest aspect of moving cattle is starting the movement.
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Before you head off to get the livestock you must have a plan. Have the yards and equipment prepared and communicate clearly with your fellow workers their roles and responsibilities. When moving cattle through the yards it is our position to the animal’s eye and our movement which is influencing them. Yelling and excessive noise causes livestock stress and confuses them making our job more difficult.
Moving cattle through the yards is started by getting the first five animals to move through the gate. Once we have the initial flow we can then regulate the flow by using parallel movement. This will help with counting and influence the speed of the livestock flow.
Remember, we want to be influencing the livestock through the gateway and make sure that before we stop them we want to slow them down. When moving cattle from yard to yard we are not making them go there, we are influencing the animals so that they decide to go where we want them to go. We do this by using our body position, movement and applying and releasing pressure.
When working together and moving cattle from yards to yards make sure that you do not put too many cattle in a yard. The general rule is that you only fill the yard fifty per cent full. This is so that we can get into position safely and that the livestock can move around the yard. The general rule is when people are closing gates other people should not pressure the cattle which may force them back onto the person closing the gates.
So, when several of you are moving from yard to yard you should all close the gate and remain together. Once the gate is properly latched you can then proceed. A trick to help you move the cattle through the yards is to allow them to go back to where they came from and they will see that the gates are closed. This will help them think of an alternative route of moving out of that yard.
When opening gates that livestock are going to move through, make sure that the gate is not going to cause injury or harm to the livestock and that it is also in the best position for you to close the gate in a safe and timely manner. When cattle are in a smaller yard you do not have to get into the yard to influence or move the cattle you can use the same principles as mentioned previously: position in relation to the eye, applying and releasing pressure and using movement to influence the animals. You can use a visual goad to help you do this.
Moving the cattle from the force to the race can be stressful and confusing to cattle. To help minimise this, it is essential that you only fill the force fifty per cent full and that you clearly communicate with the cattle where you want them to go. Again, use your body position to get the first animal to go and then move into position so that the other animals can follow. Parallel movement can help you to achieve this. Wherever possible do not have an isolated animal.
To move the cattle in the race we still remain quiet and do not need to touch them. The same principles to move them still apply. Animals should be quietly moved by applying pressure and then releasing it as the animal moves. Moving along the race in the opposite direction to the cattle will cause them to move forward in the race. This is often referred to as parallel movement as the handler is moving parallel to the desired direction of the cattle.
The handler can increase cattle movement by then jumping or moving faster or using a livestock talker if required. It is important that slide gates are either fully opened or fully closed. This will minimise injury to the cattle and to you and prevent damage to the infrastructure. Always stand to the side of the gate when opening and closing them. Cattle should be returned to their paddocks in the same quiet and steady manner that they were moved from their paddock.
It is a good idea when moving stock to the same or different paddock to take them to water before you leave them. Before you leave them make sure that the livestock are calm and settled. This is very important. Cattle have great memories and their behaviour is influenced by their experiences. If we leave them in the right frame of mind they will have positive things to think about when they see us again. This will help over the lifetime of the animal when it comes to handling and moving livestock. It is of course also better for them.
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Training animals
Cattle should be trained to help make working with them more efficient and safer for them and the handlers. Training cattle is typically used for better outcomes in a variety of situations and for different purposes. These include:
- For yard and race work
- For showing and preparation
- Transportation
- Movement between paddocks and facilities
- Routine husbandry procedures.
Routines are extremely important when training animals. Older, well trained animals can be used to guide younger or newly acquired animals into good habits and help reduce the time taken in training.
Showing cattle
| Approved activities | Category |
|---|---|
| Familiarisation | 2 |
| Training/gentling | 3 |
| Training for competition or showing | 3 |
| Tethering/restraining for shows | 3 |
| Coat care and grooming | 2 |
| Coat clipping | 3 |
| Putting nose clip onto cattle | 2 |
| Nose ringing | 5 |
| Loading and unloading animals onto transporters | 3 |
| Showing animals at school and away | 3 |
Time and effort needs to be put into training animals for the show ring. Training is best done slowly from a young age. Cattle suitable for showing need to be specially selected based on their temperament as well as their conformation.
In the school situation, the work usually required in training an animal for leading and showing is generally considered as taming and gentling, rather than breaking-in. It is preferable if animals used in the school situation do not require breaking-in.
Cattle need to be introduced to the halter slowly once they are accustomed to the atmosphere naturally created by groups of students.
Cattle handling – haltering
Watch Cattle handling – haltering (3:16)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
Today we’re going to show you how to halter up an animal and this is a very important skill that students need to be able to practice and then also perform on the day at the show rings. It involves a number of things, first of all we need to put this animal into the crush, but prior to that there are a couple of important skills that students need to be aware of. One of them is that when we come to yard these animals they need to check that all gates leading through the race up into the crush are already to accept this animal. The animal can then be guided into the race. Obviously students need to stay behind these animals, and as they move through the race then close the gates behind them. Once they lead towards the crush, they enter the crush and then they need to close the gate behind the animal.
At this stage we then have the animal enclosed in the crush. One of the students will then open the head bail to be able to capture the head safely. Once the head is then captured we can then place the halter around the animal’s head. And that’s generally done on the left hand side of the animal or the near side of the animal. From there once the halter is safely placed on, keep it in mind that this animal is restrained, so it’s really protective, an important factor that these students are going to be safe in doing this.
At shows it can be a bit of an issue in the fact that we need to make sure that these animals are restrained to do this activity. So, once the halter is actually placed on these animals, we then need to put the nose clip in. And that’s done quite quickly by bringing the hand up in underneath the nostril of the animal or the muzzle of the animal and then simply slipping it in between the nostrils. Once this part of the strategy is done we then take both leads, we undo the head bail, open up the head stall itself of the crush and then we lead this animal out safely to the wash bay.
At this point we need to go through a number of the yards, so ensuring that the actual gates are open for these animals to safely transfer from the crush to the wash bay.
It’s important at this point here, that the students know the correct procedure and that they are aware of their own safety because sometimes these animals can become a little bit flighty and we need to be aware of not only of their presence but also the presence of where you are as a student. And so that’s really critical to this whole process. Once the animals are then taken out of the yards and then placed onto the wash bay.
At the wash bay they need to be restrained using the end of the halter. And so this is a pretty special technique. I actually get the students to practice this quite regularly and I say to the students that you need to close your eyes and try and do this little technique because it is a skill that these students need to be able to practice, not only here at the property but also at the show ring.
Once the animal is then tied up with the nose dog clip and the lead, we simply then can place that in the top of the halter around the top of the head, that way it’s not going to affect the animal if the animal is actually frightened and actually pulls back. Because as we mentioned before, the nose clip is in the sensitive part of the animal’s nostrils and we don’t need to upset the animal any more than we have to.
[End of transcript]
Cattle handling – clipping
Watch Cattle handling – clipping (1:55)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
My name’s Steve Bellchambers, I’m here today to talk to you about clipping. Clipping animals or clipping cattle for show preparation is an important part of the show preparation process. The first thing we have to do is consider our own safety. Firstly, we need the animal secured in something like a crush as is behind me or a normal clipping chute which just stops the animal from moving around on top of us while we’re clipping them.
The second thing we have to realise is that we’re working with electricity and with a powered tool so we have to be aware that our cords are in an appropriate place and we’re using the tools appropriately.
When we clip an animal the aim is to present the animal as best as possible to the judge on the day. So, we’re looking to increase the positive attributes of the animal and to strengthen the areas where the animal is not as strong in.
When we clip, the basic principles are the same, we’re looking to increase the appearance of the width of the animal, increase the appearance of the depth of the animal and create an angularity in our animal with a heavier back end and a lighter front end. In order to achieve this we clip the top line of the animal and the underline of the animal. We remove the excess hair from the shoulders and neck and the head of the animal to give us that wedge shape.
In clipping cattle there are two types of hair that cattle have, the outer layer is called guard hairs. These guard hairs are removed during the clipping process to soften the animal and to give it its best appearance.
When we clip there are several types of clippers you can use. We use a flat head clipper or a goat head clipper. Both of these achieve the same purpose but cut in slightly different ways.
Once again the main reason we clip the animal is to present the animal on the day showing the most positive attributes and giving us our greatest chance for the judge to catch his attention to the animal and see it at its best.
[End of transcript]
Cattle handling – washing
Watch Cattle handling – washing (4:21)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
You need to wash these animals and wash them thoroughly. There’s a lot of safety involved in this and as you’ll see what the students do it needs to be efficient and quite effective.
So, to start off with this, Sally will start with the water, we start with the water at the front of the animal. Sometimes the animal is a little bit tentative and needs to get used to the water. So, Sally’s going to start on the shoulder region there. You can see the animal is quite accustomed to this, so she’s been washed before and the fact that she’s ruminating and quite pleasant with the whole experience. So, Sally starts on the shoulder, she moves through the top line across the back line washing the body of the animal, right through to the rump region, underneath the barrel, up into the udder. And then from there we then move onto adding soap. Angela’s going to add some soap, the soap will start from the top line at the shoulder area and then just a small amount right through to the rump region and then we’ll have our scrubbers, they’ll come through with their curry combs and they will then start to move that soap down through the body of the animal, starting from the top and then working that soap all the way down along the side of the animal. So, by using a motion, a circular motion that’s getting the soap, it’s getting the little bristles right into the hide of the animal and that’s working all that soil and any other fragments that need to come out. It’s also a very good stimulation part for the animal’s body because it’s getting to improve circulation of the body particularly on a cold morning if we have to do this at a show.
And so that’s the mechanism we need to do here, you can see all the students are working on one side, the near side of the animal and the important thing there is the safety aspect because again if the animal is spooked it tends to move one side the students can get out of the road. Importantly, they’re working together as a team.
We’ve got that soap well lathered up, we then need to do work on the tail so we’ll have a student come in and work on the tail. The idea there is we put the tail in a bucket of water, soapy water, Jazaya will then work all that soap through the tail, get any dags of manure off the tail, use a comb and then sort of straighten through all the hair. Once that area’s been done and cleaned up effectively we then have Sally come back in with the hose and Sally can then start using the hose to wash the excess soap off. So, the scrubbers have sort of finished their job. Once the scrubbers are done we then move down towards the lower part of the animal through the claws of the feet. So, the claws of the feet we need to have people scrubbing the toes to get any mud, any manure out of that area. So, Sally’s going to wetten up those areas so that Mackenzie can work on that site. So, we need to remember that we’re cleaning the entire body.
So, once that area is done, Sally will move back up and remove a lot of that excess soap that’s sitting on the side of the animal. That area is now all sort of taken care of, we now move towards the front of the animal because at this stage that the head and around the muzzle is quite sensitive as I said before.
So, the animal’s quite used to the temperature of the water and people working with her, so we’re now at the point where we need to wash the face, we need to wash around the muzzle, the nostrils and also the mouth. We need to be careful at this point because the ears are very sensitive and Sally’s aware of the fact that we don’t need to apply a lot of water around the ears because once that enters the ear canal it can cause a bit of distress with the animal.
So, you can see James here, he’s got a reasonable amount of moisture in his sponge, he’s getting rid of all that sort of dried skin, any sort of muck that’s coming out of the animal’s eye and he’s cleaning those eyes up quite well. He needs to look also at the face of the animal.
Sally might move that water towards the front of the animal. Sally, towards the front and then pour it over the front of the face going from the pole region over the top and then down to the animal.
You can see how the animal is a bit … you know not too used to this, so we have to be sensitive at that point. But James will now continue to sponge around the eyes, the muzzle and also around the lower part of the chin, particularly under the straps.
And it’s important here that we use these rope halters because the rope halters in terms of being wet and put soap through it really is not going to affect the quality of them as if we use our leather straps, it can affect and we leave that for our show haltering. And the aspect there is that the actual leather is quite expensive to purchase.
[End of transcript]
Cattle handling – grooming
Watch Cattle handling – grooming (2:10)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
Okay, we’re up to the stage now where our students with sweat brushes will come in, they’ll wipe the side of the body of the animal to get any excess water off. This expediates the drying of the animal when we come towards the blowing part.
You’ll notice that the students are working from the top of the animal to the back line, right through to the bottom of the animal and also trying to get any of that excess water out underneath the belly of the animal or the barrel.
It’s important as I said to do that effectively and quickly because once that’s been done we can then bring in our students that have got the combs and this is also getting towards the end of the washing procedure.
At this stage once the sweat brushes have been done, people with combs will come in. And there’s an important technique here with that and the fact that these students will then start to brush from the shoulder, straight down with the combs and the idea here is to have all the hair of the animal’s body in one direction.
So, going from the top of the animal down towards the barrel of the animal, all the way back from the shoulder to the rump region. We then move and this is really an important aspect and the fact that you can see Sally starting on the rump, we’re working up from the base part of the rump, up towards the top part of the pin bones and then back towards the hip bones. We then work that comb towards the front of the animal along the side of the body.
So, the idea here is to express the muscle development along the animal’s body. And if we can sort of do that effectively, we can then have that hair standing up on end. And then our final thing that we actually do to that so that hair stays in that position is that we can actually put some special spray on that before the animal goes into the show ring. And that spray has some glistening and shine in it and when the judge actually sees this animal presented in the ring, the animal looks pretty smick.
And that’s the aim that we’re trying to do here is to present this animal the best way we can. And as you can see with this process all the students are working together as a team, there’s a lot involved, the safety aspect’s important because they’re all working on one side and the ultimate result is that we end up with an animal that’s ready to be judged.
[End of transcript]
Cattle handling – blow drying
Watch Cattle handling – blow drying (1:54)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
Okay, the next stage in the preparation of these animals to show at our local show or the national show is the blow drying of these animals and this is an important skill that students need to learn, there’s quite a few safety things here to be aware of again.
First of all the students need to tie these animals up securely at the rail, they need to have all their equipment ready to go, they need to be very careful because this is actually a powered implement so they need to be aware that the power cord and also the actual blower machine is right away from the animal and also out of the danger of water. So, that’s just a couple of the safety things.
The next important thing is that in terms of the technique to get these animals dry. Importantly here is that if the students have used the sweat brushes efficiently in the washing procedure then we should have less water to dry off with this blower. So, we can start off with getting the animal used to the actual blower and the actual noise and the air on the animal’s body. Best way to do this is to start at the front of the animal, just move the end of the blower around in the air just so that the animal is familiar with what you’re going to do with this animal and then put the air onto the animal’s body and let the animal to settle down quite quickly.
Once the animal has settled down, importantly here you need to use the nozzle of the blower, face that towards the front of the animal and work back from the shoulder along the body of the animal, over the ribs towards the rump region and then down the hind leg. So, importantly here we need to just make sure that we’ve got the animal’s hair towards the front of the animal, we can check by doing that once more and then that then prepares the animal for the final movement with the comb to make sure that hair is in the right direction and then we can put some final sheen on this animal and the animal’s ready for the ring and hopefully present to the judge an animal that we are very proud of considering we’ve spent so much time preparing this.
[End of transcript]
Cattle handling – parading
Watch Cattle handling – parading (0:13)
Narrator: Tony Butler – agriculture teacher
These students will gain confidence. They develop teamwork. They develop the skills of handling these animals, not only managing them but also being able to parade these animals in front of a judge in a show.
[End of transcript]