other cattle around whilst working

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  • June 23, 2009 at 6:39 pm #40660
    Nat(wasIxy)
    Participant

    there’s some pieces of felled wood at the far end of the farm I’d like to drag back, using Angus – his first proper job, so far i’ve just had him dragging random tyres around! However, that means taking him across two of the fields, one containing a bachelor herd of a bull and some steers and the other containing the main herd of cows with calves, some older steers and the bull.

    I don’t know how he’d react – possibly excitedly, but even so, assuming I could keep him under control, what if the others get excited and start charging around like they do when newcomers come in?

    I’ve worked him with his friend around loose, who usually followed for the ride, but that did get to be a pain during jumping training because they’d both start doing it out of excitement which wasnt exactly safe for me in the middle of it all!

    Does anybody work their steers with other loose cattle around or is the whole situation best avoided?

    June 25, 2009 at 12:10 pm #53041
    Vicki
    Participant

    Just my opinion: if they are not of the same herd, do not take Angus in the midst of the others while working. Going past them on other side of fence would be a good training challenge for the young Angus to teach him to keep his focus on you. But in the others’ pasture, you cannot control them and you and Angus could be hurt, or the control break down so much that it would be negative training for Angus. It could shake Angus’ trust in you to lead him into a “political” situation you can’t control.

    If you can herd the others temporarily out of those fields or set up temporary electric fence to keep them away from direct access to you while working, try that.

    June 29, 2009 at 4:51 pm #53042
    mstacy
    Participant

    Hi Ixy,

    Take my comments with a very large grain of salt, as my draft animal experience is largely limited to the four Devons I got last fall.

    I find the animals that are NOT in yoke to be more challenging. Luke (yearling bull) gets particularly curious when Earl and Stanley are pulling a load. At times he will even try to spar with them.

    I would not shy away from the challenge, but ease into it. Drive Angus through the field a few times to see how he AND the herd respond. And definitely keep a halter on him, at least the first few times. Then try dragging one of those “random tyres”. If everthing works out then its time to think about hauling some wood. There’s a lot more potential for injury to yourself or one of the animals while Angus is hitched to a load. Instead setup situations with minimal consequences. Build up to it.

    Cheers,

    Matt

    July 1, 2009 at 10:24 am #53043
    Nat(wasIxy)
    Participant

    Thanks for that people – i believe the problem is solved anyway as the main herd is going to be completely fenced off from the area after today, but I would ideally like to build up to the point where Angus at least is able to work and behave himself with other cattle he might not know closeby.

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