Post by Shawn on Jan 16, 2019 12:16:48 GMT -5
Just something to be aware of.
When I first used hobbles on Ellie, my MS, I was very worried she's topple over onto me. However, she figured the hobbles out very quickly and understood how she could/could not step. My concerns dissipated, although I always sit on the edge of my stool so I can move easily either direction.
Fast forward a few months, her calf is now 4 months old. Our routine is I hobble her, clean up, milk all quarters out fairly well, then let him in on the off side. When he gets her to let down I milk the near side until he completely drains his side and then I give up and strain my milk while he cleans up.
This morning, we were doing the usual routine. He is getting rougher and rougher about butting her, and she picks up her foot and tries to kick at him, but still has her hobbles on. This morning she must have had her foot up swiping at him when he butted her hard and she started to tip my way. I realized it immediately and put my arm up and pushed her back to level. I know it got her attention because she stopped eating and just stood there and you could hear the wheels turning. She is an extremely smart girl and I doubt that will ever happen again. She was seriously thinking that over.
So just be aware that your calf can throw a wrench into the hobbles works. I'm thinking about putting a collar on him when I put him up for the night, then when he comes in, snapping it to a lead that's tied a specific distance from her so he can't butt her so hard. That will take some figuring out, though, as it will be trial and error until I can get the lead length correct.
Either that, or I'm going to have to pull him off after she lets down. But, I hate doing that, because he'll pitch a fit and then we will have another learning curve while they both learn to tolerate the new plan.
I have also considered taking her hobbles off when he comes in and see how we do.
So here's today's safety news bulletin!
When I first used hobbles on Ellie, my MS, I was very worried she's topple over onto me. However, she figured the hobbles out very quickly and understood how she could/could not step. My concerns dissipated, although I always sit on the edge of my stool so I can move easily either direction.
Fast forward a few months, her calf is now 4 months old. Our routine is I hobble her, clean up, milk all quarters out fairly well, then let him in on the off side. When he gets her to let down I milk the near side until he completely drains his side and then I give up and strain my milk while he cleans up.
This morning, we were doing the usual routine. He is getting rougher and rougher about butting her, and she picks up her foot and tries to kick at him, but still has her hobbles on. This morning she must have had her foot up swiping at him when he butted her hard and she started to tip my way. I realized it immediately and put my arm up and pushed her back to level. I know it got her attention because she stopped eating and just stood there and you could hear the wheels turning. She is an extremely smart girl and I doubt that will ever happen again. She was seriously thinking that over.
So just be aware that your calf can throw a wrench into the hobbles works. I'm thinking about putting a collar on him when I put him up for the night, then when he comes in, snapping it to a lead that's tied a specific distance from her so he can't butt her so hard. That will take some figuring out, though, as it will be trial and error until I can get the lead length correct.
Either that, or I'm going to have to pull him off after she lets down. But, I hate doing that, because he'll pitch a fit and then we will have another learning curve while they both learn to tolerate the new plan.
I have also considered taking her hobbles off when he comes in and see how we do.
So here's today's safety news bulletin!