How to make a cow stop mounting people?

[PizzaBagelPie]

So I recently started working with dairy cattle and I didnt realize one of the cows was in heat and turned my back on her... and she decided she wanted to get a bit too friendly, ended up stepping on and fracturing my wrist in the proces... pretty scary when a 1700lb cow is suddenly on top of you. Anyway, is there a way to deter/ train her not to do that to people when not on a lead? She even tries when walking to the milking parlor, but since I have control of her head during that its easy to stop her then

 

[Lazy Farmer]

a harness

 

[PizzaBagelPie]

a harness

Well she has a halter, but I would like her to know not to do it when shes not on a lead, rather than having to physically pull her down all the time. She is usually on a lead around people anyway but like, you can put a muzzle on a dog that bites but that still doesnt mean its okay that it does bite

 

[BlueBaby]

Couldn't you get her another cow to do that with?

 

[PizzaBagelPie]

Couldn't you get her another cow to do that with?

She is with others. She just also does it to people. And only she does it to people

 

[BlueBaby]

She is with others. She just also does it to people. And only she does it to people

That's strange. I wonder why she does it?

 

[Melky]

I wouldn’t passs this on. You are better off sending the cow to market, selling it, or rehoming it than abusing it. Cows can be dangerous animals to work with. That said never turn your back or walk around behind a large animal up close. My aunt raised cattle and never had to lay an unkind hand to the animal.

 

[Dona Worry]

I wouldn’t passs this on. You are better off sending the cow to market, selling it, or rehoming it than abusing it. Cows can be dangerous animals to work with. That said never turn your back or walk around behind a large animal up close. My aunt raised cattle and never had to lay an unkind hand to the animal.

Sending a cow to market is a death sentence. You'd rather kill the cow than hit her? Selling this cow for dairy is sending a dangerous animal to people who may not know she is dangerous! That is irresponsible, and could end up with someone badly hurt, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid!

I had a 5 minute conversation with Jasper, where yes, I smacked her hard, and she lived for several years after that as a good citizen.

I have 600 cows, and I never need to hit them. I am in charge, everyone knows it, nobody is rude or challenging, but if I ever get another Jasper, I would do it again. Because human lives are more important than cow lives.

 

[Dona Worry]

I don’t believe a boss will advocate hitting the animal if so you don’t want that person for a boss. Any employee will likely be fired for hitting an animal because there is no reason to take this action. The boss will believe the animal is being abused and reacting badly to the person who is it’s abuser. I would fire any person who lays an unkind hand to any animal.

This employee has already been knocked to the ground and had a bone broken. Not every cow is sweetness and light, and pretty sure every farmer knows that.
And let's be realistic here. You may want to call it abuse, but keep in mind that cows are REALLY BIG. Even I, as a large human, using a piece of chain for goodness sake, did nothing more than inconvenience Jasper.
Using something softer, like a hose, does nothing more than shake things up and sting a little. You aren't going to do any damage, but you might save a human a hospital bill.

It isn't abuse to smack a cow that is on track to seriously injure you, just like it isn't assault to pepper spray a man who pops up behind you and tries to kidnap you. Context matters.

 

[Melky]

So I recently started working with dairy cattle and I didnt realize one of the cows was in heat and turned my back on her... and she decided she wanted to get a bit too friendly, ended up stepping on and fracturing my wrist in the proces... pretty scary when a 1700lb cow is suddenly on top of you. Anyway, is there a way to deter/ train her not to do that to people when not on a lead? She even tries when walking to the milking parlor, but since I have control of her head during that its easy to stop her then

So I recently started working with dairy cattle and I didnt realize one of the cows was in heat and turned my back on her... and she decided she wanted to get a bit too friendly, ended up stepping on and fracturing my wrist in the proces... pretty scary when a 1700lb cow is suddenly on top of you. Anyway, is there a way to deter/ train her not to do that to people when not on a lead? She even tries when walking to the milking parlor, but since I have control of her head during that its easy to stop her then

Negative behaviors with animals breed negative behaviors from animals. Here is an article on cow behavior that will help you understand better positive management practices that improve not only milk production but behavior. This behavior is natural instinct and cows kept under strict control without ability to graze in open pastures may exhibit thus behavior. Hope you choose to learn about the animals natural learning process and instincts than abusing an animal. Laying an unkind hand to an animal will never help the animal or you. Hope this helps.

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