canesisters
Herd Master
I've seen lots of videos where longhorns navigate narrow spaces by turning their heads to keep from knocking their horns. I think that's probably a natural thing. If you get your cow used to reaching through whatever stanchion or headcatch you have to get to feed, they will do what they need to to get the horns through.
This is from a few years ago. There is a pipe gate mounted where the cattle panel is.
Most of the time the gate is secured across the isle & allows her to come in the barn's back door & access any of the indoor areas at will. During the summer I hang her back-rub across the door.
Also an old pict...
The stall is to the right.
the gate (that is beside her) got mounted on the post to her left. You can see the tight space it will create when swung against her side. I use a heavy, smooth chain to attach it to the stall wall.
As with anything I do with her, it's helpful to train so it's not a new experience being added to the stress of a vet visit or whatever.
She had eaten in that stanchion (open & closed) for many months before I first used it to milk. She had been in the 'squeeze' many times just getting brushed & fed treats before she stood there with a vet, with the AI guy, & with a farrier.
OH! Having it up against a stall means that there is plenty of 'open' space on both sides for people to maneuver + the 4' or so directly behind.
One more thing. Leaving the posts on stanchion really tall has come in handy for the few times I've needed to give oral meds. Halter on, lead rope looped over a hook way up high... nose pointed & held up without a struggle.
This is from a few years ago. There is a pipe gate mounted where the cattle panel is.
Most of the time the gate is secured across the isle & allows her to come in the barn's back door & access any of the indoor areas at will. During the summer I hang her back-rub across the door.
Also an old pict...
The stall is to the right.
the gate (that is beside her) got mounted on the post to her left. You can see the tight space it will create when swung against her side. I use a heavy, smooth chain to attach it to the stall wall.
As with anything I do with her, it's helpful to train so it's not a new experience being added to the stress of a vet visit or whatever.
She had eaten in that stanchion (open & closed) for many months before I first used it to milk. She had been in the 'squeeze' many times just getting brushed & fed treats before she stood there with a vet, with the AI guy, & with a farrier.
OH! Having it up against a stall means that there is plenty of 'open' space on both sides for people to maneuver + the 4' or so directly behind.
One more thing. Leaving the posts on stanchion really tall has come in handy for the few times I've needed to give oral meds. Halter on, lead rope looped over a hook way up high... nose pointed & held up without a struggle.
