Help-Horn shaping??

[WVDrafty]

Hi! I’m the better (or worse) half of the username. :p My first post here. I could some help. I have trained a pair of steers who are 19 months old, Holstein x Milking Shorthorn cross. I think the world of them. They have done fantastic.

One of the steer horns, seem like they are going to go straight up. I’ve included pictures for you to see. I’ve read numerous articles, but they give just bits and pieces, not detailed enough for me. They mention scraping, thinning, horn weights, etc. I have never scraped a horn in my life, never used horn weights, never even sanded a horn. So as you can see, my experience in horn care& shaping is non-existent! I haven’t even seen a pair of horn knobs before (other than in pictures).

Maybe the pictures will help you all to help me. How in god’s name does one scrape? You start at base and continue to tip????? Just a little by little, wait a few days and go at it again?, how and where is the horn weight placed on horn?
How do you know what horn weight of the 3 to get? I don’t want to screw them up!! Just leave them alone?????

I know I’ve asked alot of questions, but I need to talk with someone that knows what to do. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

(It is the steer on the nigh right (white patch on head). The other steer’s horns are starting to curve in a bit. That’s what I like.

[Vicki]

Hi Drafty. Nice looking pair of working steers. Nice sled, too.

To help bring your nigh steer’s horns down, I would scrape just a little on the top of the horns, that is on the opposite side from the way you want them to move. I would use a piece of broken glass, like from an old windowpane, or you could use a small knife. Scrape from the base of the horn pulling the glass at an angle out to about halfway. Scrape off a bit of the horn shell very lightly. It takes time for the horn to exhibit the change, and it changes with the new growth. So do a little, wait and see, and do more if you need to.

It might be easier to use horn weights on him. I think Howie sells them. Or New England Ox Supply. You want to take the weight off before the horn comes as far down as you want it to finally be, because it can continue to drop some as it grows out.

I’m no expert. I’ve had good experience getting my nigh’s horn to come up some by weighting it up with a pulley system that I attached only overnights when I tied him. He was about two at the time; took only a couple months with string tied on just at night. Also saw some widening of horns when they were scraped on the inside curves, so I know scraping does affect horns.

Have fun with them! Thanks for the pictures.

Others may have more/better advice.

[WVDrafty]

Hi Vicki! Hope you’re doing well. I appreciate your response and help. It’s greatly appreciated. Thanks!!:)

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