[Vicki]

Here’s a photo of longhorns being driven from the wagon http://www.ruralheritage.com/ox_paddock/longhorn.htm

and a story about a longhorn ox team owner
http://www.americanprofile.com/heroes/article/914.html

[Vicki]

Yes, training the horns as they grow is possible, you should be able to get them to curve up and back more than they would on their own.

[Vicki]

Historically, longhorns were used for the lead teams on freight lines in the southwest.
I know folks in Ohio who ride and train longhorns. They are smart and gentle if started young and handled wisely. I think they make good oxen if you can deal with the wide horns they eventually sport.

[Vicki]

Most mature cattle cannot/will not balance on three legs, so they end up leaning their weight on the trimmer or shoer, which makes it nearly impossible to do. Stocks that support the weight of the cattle with belly bands were common when oxen were common. Casting cattle was also done. Today, stocks with belly bands or tilt table chutes are the way to go.
Even if the cattle are trained to let you pick up and examine the feet, they usually will not stand with a foot up for very long.
I don’t know what a barefoot trim on a horse is.
I know that the conformation of the individual cattle does influence hoof growth and angle. Cattle with naturally high heels and steep angle of hoof will need less trim than cattle that naturally lay back more on the heels, and that is one factor you will want to look at in cattle you select for work.
Of course, how much abrasion the cattle encounter in their environment affects hoof angle too.

[Vicki]

Yes, Ed, you did exactly the right thing by persisting with them. It’s much like working with teen-agers: they will test your will and try to get out of work, but with gentle firmness they yield to your leadership and fall in line pretty well. Then you are so proud of them. What you describe is normal for steers. It can take 10 to 20 minutes for steers to get their mind into “work” mode when first yoked for the day, so walk them and stick to a simple course for the first few minutes before getting on with a job or training new skills. The older they are, the less this is an issue. But after a hiatus, even my ten year olds sometimes give me a few minutes of goofiness before falling in.

[Vicki]

Tim, I never would have thought of that possible explanation–trying to see me under the yoke–for holding the head low. It is my off who does this; maybe Charly is on to something.

My off, my low-head, is also my no. 2 ox and I wonder if he is intimidated by the dominant near ox to keep his eye and horn just a bit lower.

[Vicki]

Joshua, Howie has way more experience than I do. His son trained Dexters; he trains Devons. I am not a natural at working cattle; I just refused to give up and keep trying to overcome my mistakes.

I trained Dexters and kept two Milking Devons for a couple years. My experience: Dexters are affectionate and pet-like if treated with gentleness but require firmness, though not a heavy hand. They will assert dominance so require a firm hand, but are high-strung and overreact to harshness ( not “forgiving” as some breeds.) They are very smart and have remarkable memory. They learn very fast. They are very alert. The wheels are always turning in their heads, not going on habit, and I like working with mine because of that.

Devons are not high-strung or prone to over react, but quite independent. They are very smart and learn fast. They do not “need” people and seem standoff-ish compared to cattle that are more “affectionate.” They are good workers if they respect your leadership which you must earn from them.

[Vicki]

clayfoot: The Devons we speak of are the American Milking Devons to which breed association Joshua linked.

The American Milking Devon is an American rare historic breed that developed here from the cattle brought by Colonists (largely the Red Devons) to North America. Their genetics have lately been preserved by a few folks to retain the qualities of a triple-purpose breed, especially the smarts and quickness desired in working cattle, when others began interbreeding to produce more commercially economical animals. Interbreeding produced the beef Devon in the U.S. in contrast to the American Milking Devon.

Howie and Drew Conroy breed American Milking Devons, and they are kept by many historical sites in the U.S. like Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon.

[Vicki]

My beef cow who is from the Devon bull I got from Greenfield Village and a Hereford, is gorgeous, smart, placid, and has the most energetic calves. Wish I had steers like her.

[Vicki]

Nice looking steers and I love the names. I must commend you for starting again with calves even after your less-than-ideal experience with the beef calf. Keep us informed on how you and they are coming along.

[Vicki]

http://home.purebreddextercattle.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=79

another description of the same genetics

[Vicki]

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/animal/news/aug96/aug96-3.html

genetics of horns in cattle

[Vicki]

The polled gene is dominant, so any cross of horned x polled will be polled. Those cross offspring will have a horned gene and a polled gene, so if you cross them with a horned mate you have a chance of getting a horned offspring or a polled one.
Scurs can indicate the presence of a (recessive) horned gene, so with a horned mate a scurred parent might produce a horned offspring (I had that happen, happily!)

[Vicki]

Howie always says to get what YOU LIKE, because if you like them, you will work with them, and they will know you like them, and that contributes much to success and satisfaction.

Many say Swiss are good for beginners, because they are slow-ish moving and forgiving. I trained some Swiss: cute and sweet but seemed like slow learners after my Dexters.

Dexters are hardy, rugged and well-muscled. Jerseys tend to be skittish and fine-boned, but I’ve seen fine Jersey oxen. It depends on how big you want your oxen and what you want to do with them.

Shorthorns are all-around super as oxen, but they can get big.

I’d put that Dexter bull on those Dexter cross sisters! Yes, I love my ten year old Dexters!

If you have Swiss x Dexters, send me some photos! Sounds weird to have such large and small breeds crossed. But Dexters are smart and Swiss are docile–could make a fabulous steer. I’d be interested in perhaps purchasing a Dexter cross or two.

[Vicki]

Howie and Betty are the BEST! Glad you got to spend some time with them. I miss you H & B, and the Warren Co. Fair. It’s not quite as fun now that there’s no nearby gang of people to share with.

[Author]

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