1. Restraining cattle and buffalo
• Handling cattle and buffalo may lead to stress and
injuries especially if the animals are not used to being
handled and the handler is not experienced. There
are different techniques used to restrain and cast
(throw) these large ruminants. Learning objectives
• After studying this unit you should know:
• 1 How to hold cattle and buffalo.
2 How to safely use the halter.
3 How to cast (throw) the animals with ropes.
2. Restraining (controlling) large Animal
• Restraining (controlling) large ruminants
• The crush or race is made of wood or metal. You
should have one in your village or settlement, if not
you should talk to the elders of the community about
making one with the help of a veterinarian. Crushes
are used for large ruminants when they are
vaccinated, examined or undergo other treatments.
3. How to hold animals
• If you do not have a halter or a nose holder
the best way to hold a large ruminant is to
take a firm grip of the nostril using the thumb
and forefinger of one hand while holding the
horn or the ear with the other hand.
6. Casting or throwing
cattle and buffalo
• If you do not have a crush and you want to trim the hooves of an animal it
will be necessary for you to cast (throw down) the animal.
• To do this you will need:
• · A halter for the head.
· Two people to help you.
· Ten to twelve metres of strong rope.
· A place where it is safe to throw the animal, where the soil is soft or
covered with straw. First halter the animal then tie the long rope around it
as shown in the illustration below. Have one person to hold the halter
while the other joins you and pulls the rope. The animal will collapse onto
the floor and your helper must immediately put his knee on its neck and
his hand on the animal's head to prevent it from rising.
• Do not leave the animal down for a long time as bloat may develop
8. How to hold or cast animals in order
to trim the feet
• You can trim the feet of sheep and goats alone or
with someone to help you. Grasp the wool or hair on
the chest with one hand while holding the animal on
its flank with the other hand. Use your knee to push
against the animal's back and force it into a sitting
position. The animal can be kept in this position for a
long time while the feet are trimmed.
9. How to hold or cast animals in order
to trim the feet
10. How to hold or cast animals
in order to trim the feet
