Post by japperwoman on Jan 17, 2015 8:44:08 GMT -5
My confession today and desperately seeking your advice comes on the heels of simplynaturalfarm 's thread about the dangerous cow. Cora is about 4 and my dearest girl. She has had two calves here and is 3 months into her second lactation. She is a rock solid milker and thoroughly enjoys our milking times. She gives me no trouble in the stand. However, this brings me to the trouble I have been having. For the last three weeks or so, she has been displaying what I would call "asserting her will" when it comes to getting into the stand. It is the same every morning. I unhook her lead, before backing out she looks through the side of her stall, then backs out gently. This is like clockwork every day. She then takes off in a dead run, head down to the other side of the barn (opposite the direction of the milk parlor). I have learned to just get out of her way. I tried holding her collar the first few times and almost dislocated my shoulder. I then walk to the end of the barn and hold her collar for a couple of seconds then try lifting her head and turning. After some hard tugging she will give in to the pressure and turn around. Up until about three weeks ago, at this point she would reluctantly walk into the stand. Now, she has taken to swinging her head at me and grinding me into the wall. The first time I was so taken by surprise that I hauled back and punched her right in the side of the head. Don't think me abusive, I had not other recourse. She didn't do it again for several days. It has now started to be a daily occurrence. The level of pain she inflicts just depends on how able I am to dodge her blows. I had gotten very good at being stern with her and dodging what blows she did attempt. Today however, she got me good and smashed me into the wall grinding her head back and forth and smashed her poll into my pubic bone. Please don't think me a fool for letting this go on so long. I want to learn how to train a cow properly to deal with these types of issues. Thanks for any advice you may have.