VMED 511, 512, 513, 514
Foundations in Veterinary Medicine
Restraint of Cattle
Laboratory: Cattle Handling, Restraint Techniques, Knot Tying
Station 1: Handling and Facility-Assisted Restraint
The purpose of this station is to introduce some common concepts involved with
handling and restraining cattle. Initially it must be recognized that unlike many of our
domesticated species, few cattle are "broke to lead". When an animal is broke to lead, it
has been trained to allow humans to control it while wearing a halter. These animals are
relatively easy to handle and have adapted to close human contact. The appropriate time
to inquire about whether an animal is broke to lead is while the history is taken on a
clinical case. This is much better than when you have the animal haltered and heading
down the aisle toward a stall. Dairy and beef cattle are large and although usually not
aggressive, can cause severe bodily harm if handled improperly or carelessly.
Facility Inspection
Prior to working a group of cattle or and individual case, the facility should be inspected.
Safety for humans and animals in the facility should be the primary concern. The facility
should allow the animal to be moved through, restrained, and worked without inflicting
injury. Appropriate design also results in minimal stress for the patient(s). While the
safety of the patient is important, the safety of the humans working in the facility is
paramount. Inspection of the facility should also assess the functionality of the system. Is
the system easy to use? Will the system adequately contain the animals we are about to
run through it? Areas of concern during the inspection include wall or panel height,
strength of the walls or panels, the inclusion of human escape routes ("man-passes", passthrough or stiles) from within the system. If an animal is missed at the head-catch, can it
be contained and worked back through the system? If not, several escapes can mean
another day of work rounding-up and processing all the animals in the group. A source
for facility design is the website of Dr. Temple Grandin located at www.grandin.com.
Many agricultural engineering departments also provide resource material in facility
design.
Animal Movement / Containment
When working cattle, understanding the behavior of cattle is crucial to the success of the
operation. Like many herd animals, cattle behave as prey during forced movement. Each
animal has a flight zone and the whole group responds to pressure on the zone of animals
on the perimeter. Cattle are curious and when humans (predator) are not within the flight
zone the cattle (prey) will turn to look at the human. The size and shape of the flight zone
varies among cattle depending on several factors including breed, level of excitement,
and memory of previous handling experiences. When a human enters the flight zone the
animal(s) should be carefully observed for signs of aggression. Cattle will normally
slowly move away when the flight zone is entered. Continuing to face the intruder while
holding ground or moving toward the intruder with ears erect and the head down, with or
without signs of pawing the ground, are considered signs of aggression and care should
be exercised.
The flight zone of an individual is an approximate circle of varied diameter centered near
the shoulder (figure 1). The perimeter of the flight zone is farther from the head than the
tail of the animal. When a human (predator) approaches the head, the animal should
slowly turn away and move off. The eyes of cattle are widely placed on the side of the
head. The visual field of the animal extends greater than 300 degrees. A blind zone is
located directly behind the animal. Care should be exercised when approaching from the
rear to locate within the visual field. When the pressure on the flight zone comes from the
rear, within the visual field, the animal moves away. An imaginary line drawn through
the shoulders acts as a balance line (Grandin). Human presence cranial to the balance line
can result in cessation of forward movement. Pressure on the flight zone cranial to the
balance line results in the animal turning away to avoid the human. To initiate forward
movement, pressure is exerted in the lateral flight zone caudal to the balance line.
Figure 1: A representation of the flight zone of cattle. (Adapted from Grandin, T,
www.grandin.com/references/safe.html. Originally published in Occupational
Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, Vol. 14, No. 2, April-June 1999, Philadelphia,
Hanley & Belfus, Inc.)
Groups of cattle are more easily driven than individual cattle. Initiation of movement of a
group of cattle is accomplished by approaching the group from behind and to the side.
The cattle should be moved along a fence or wall to direct them into an enclosed space.
The group of people driving the cattle should form a semi-circle behind and to the side of
the group. The group of humans should work quietly and slowly to avoid creating panic
in the group of cattle. Running cattle are counter-productive to driving them into an
enclosure. Drivers should talk quietly to the cattle to announce their presence. Loud
noises and voices should be avoided.
The group of cattle should be moved from a large field to enclosures or pens of
decreasing size (Figure 2). As the cattle are moved into smaller pens, the gate to the
larger enclosure should be closed to contain the group. As the pen size decreases cattle
can become more agitated. Human presence should decrease within the enclosure, as the
pen becomes smaller.
Closing the gate behind the group of cattle, but in front of the humans should be
accomplished before the cattle become agitated. When the pen size precludes a
human presence within the pen the cattle are worked from outside the pen.
Figure 2, An example of a beef cattle working facility.
Crowding Tub
Most livestock handling facilities include a crowding tub to force cattle to enter an alley
and chute system. The tub consists of a semi-circular solid walled structure and a gate.
The length of the gate equals the radius of the curved wall. The gate is designed to slide
forward along the wall of the tub and has a brake to prevent kickback of the gate. The tub
is usually large enough to hold three to four cattle. When cattle enter the tub the gate is
used to crowd the cattle forward toward an alley. This crowding encourages the cattle to
enter the alley smoothly without turning around.
Alley
The alley from the tub to the squeeze chute can have open bars or solid sides. Each type
has advantages. Solid walled alleys prevent external visual stimuli from interfering with
forward progress of the cattle. Open bars on the sides of alleys are cheaper to construct
and allow sliding of a pipe behind the cattle to further crowd them forward and
preventing backing up. Alleys usually have external elevated walkways to allow people
to urge the cattle forward.
Squeeze Chute
Squeeze chutes are used to restrain cattle for examination or treatment. Squeeze chutes
consist of a headgate, tailgate, and sides that can be moved to change the width of the
chute. The headgate, tailgate, and side squeeze on a chute may be manually operated or
controlled by hydraulics. The tailgate is closed after the animal enters the chute to
prevent backing up into the alley. The tailgate also prevents the next animal in line from
entering the chute prematurely. The side squeeze is usually initially set to the width of the
widest animal in the group. On hydraulically controlled chutes, the side squeeze can be
used to safely slow the progress of an animal through the chute to facilitate catching the
head. The headgate is closed on the animal's neck to prevent the shoulders from exiting
the chute. The headgate also prevents withdrawal of the head into the chute.
Halter
A rope halter is used to restrain the head in a headgate for jugular venipuncture or other
procedures of the head or neck. The halter consists of a moderately long rope with an eye
slice on one end with a second eye splice located approximately ten inches from the same
end. The opposite end of the rope is passed through the end eye splice first and then
through the remaining eye splice (Figure 3).
Direction rope slides
through eye splices
Figure 3, Rope Halter
Passing the free end of the rope through the eye splices results in a circle with a section of
constant length bisecting the circle. The section of rope of a constant length should cross
the bridge of the nose with the lead extending from under the left side of the chin (Figure
4).
Figure 4, The correct placement of a halter. The segment of
constant length crosses the bridge of the nose. The lead exits on
the left side under the chin.
Proper placement of the halter insures control of the animal. The lead must exit from
under the chin to allow the head to be turned. If the halter is placed upside down, the lead
exits from behind the ear and the animal can turn its nose away from the restrainer.
Historically, animals have been led from the left side. Halters are placed to lead from the
left side at shows and expositions. Unless an animal is tabled with the right side against
the table or the head will be tied tightly to the right side, the halter should always be
placed with the lead exiting from the left side.
The halter is placed on the animal in a specific manner to prevent injury. With the animal
restrained in a headgate and the restrainer standing on the left side, the upper portion of
the halter is draped over the right ear first. Second, the upper portion of the halter is
pulled toward the restrainer and draped over the left ear. Gravity will assist in allowing
the segment of constant length to fall to the bridge of the nose. The remaining portion of
the halter is slipped under the chin with the lead exiting from the left side.
Nose Lead
The nose lead or nose tongs are a device that is placed in the nares that allows pressure to
be applied to the septum distal to the cartilage. The nose lead has a rope attached to the
handles of the tongs to provide distance between the operator and the patient's head. The
rope also can be passed around an object to change the direction of tension on the rope.
The operator applies pressure on the nose lead to distract the attention of the animal from
a noxious procedure. Damage to the sensitive tissues of the nasal septum can occur with
overzealous use of the nose lead. The rope of the nose lead should never be tied to
anything. The planum nasale can be severely injured if the animal falls during a
procedure with the nose lead tied to an inanimate object.
Station 2: Rope Restraint
Lariat
In the event a crowding tub, alley, and chute are not available; a lariat may be used to
catch cattle in the field. Roping requires a specialized skill set and is usually not
recommended unless a skilled roper is available. Safety is a concern when the lariat is
snubbed to a post to prevent escape of the animal. Body parts can become trapped
between the lariat and the post resulting in lost fingers, severe crush injuries, and the
inability to escape if the animal turns and charges.
Anti-Kicking Devices
Cows kick with the rear legs as a means of defense, to prevent noxious stimuli, in
response to noxious stimuli, or when startled by touch to the rear half of their body. Areas
touched resulting in kicking can include the udder, vulva, rear legs, tail, flank, ribs and
lumbar area. Many devices have been developed to decrease the ability of an animal to
kick with normal force. These devices include the flank rope, mechanical anti-kicking
devices, hobbles, and the Achilles clamp.
Tail Lift
The tail lift acts as a distraction to prevent kicking in cattle. The animal is more
concerned with the discomfort associated with the tail lift than the person touching
another portion of the anatomy, for example, the udder. To perform a tail lift the tail is
grasped in the proximal third while standing sideways directly behind the animal and the
tail is lifted up until resistance is detected. The person then locks their elbow and leans
into the animal to maintain constant pressure without excessive exertion. Care should be
exercised to avoid dislocating or subluxating the tailhead.
Flank Rope
When cattle initiate a kick, the stifle moves forward, the foot swings forward, is abducted
and then kicks backward to the side. The term "cow kicking" in horses refers to this
external rotation of the limb and kicking to the side rather than straight back. One method
to decrease the occurrence and force generated during a kick is to prevent the forward
motion of the stifle. A rope passed around the abdomen, caudal to the ribs, cranial to the
tuber coxae, is tightened, and tied with a quick release knot prevents forward motion of
the stifle (Figure 5). When forward motion of the stifle occurs, pressure is exerted on the
lumbar spine resulting in discomfort. Excessive pressure on the flank rope can cause the
animal to lie or fall down.
Flank Rope
Figure 5, Flank rope to prevent kicking. The inset
illustrates a quick-release knot.
Mechanical
Mechanical devices are available that also apply pressure to the lumbar spine when the
stifle moves forward during a kick. These devices are similar to the flank rope in method
of action. Metal appliances can cause injury to the operator if the animal falls during the
application or during the noxious procedure.
Hobbles
Hobbles can be used to prevent kicking in cattle by connecting the rear legs together.
Hobbles are made of rope or chain and tied, belted, nylon banded to the rear legs, or held
in place by clips over the Achilles tendons. Moving one limb to kick disturbs the opposite
limb resulting in the inability to stand.
Achilles' Clamp
Another device used to prevent kicking is the Achilles clamp. This device resembles a
large "C" clamp and when applied prevents flexion of the hock by applying external
pressure to the Achilles tendon. The reciprocal apparatus of the rear limb prevents flexion
of the stifle without concurrent flexion of the hock. The initiation of the kick involves
flexion of the stifle to swing the limb forward. Preventing flexion of the hock will prevent
flexion of the stifle and therefore, will prevent the action necessary to initiate a kick. In
theory, this device works well, but placing the apparatus on the limb and tightening the
clamp can result in forceful kicking before the device is tight enough to prevent motion
of the stifle.
Casting Techniques
Some operative procedures require the patient be placed in recumbency. Placing an
animal in recumbency is known as casting the animal down or simply, casting the animal.
In many of these cases, general anesthesia is cost prohibitive. General anesthesia is also
contraindicated from a beef and dairy quality assurance standpoint. The drugs used for
general anesthesia are not labeled for use in food animals and the milk withhold and meat
withdrawal are unknown. Procedures for safely casting an animal were developed prior to
the use of tranquilizers and general anesthetic agents. These methods include the reef,
rope squeeze, method or the Burley hitch, also known as the running "W".
Burley Hitch
The Burley hitch is used to cast an animal for procedures requiring recumbency of the
patient. The patient is haltered and tied to a post in a large open area. A soft rope
approximately 60 feet long is draped over the patient's neck with 30 feet on each side.
The free ends are crossed under the animal's sternum. Each free end is directed over the
dorsum near the thoraco-lumbar junction. The free ends then are passed through the
inguinal area and extended caudally between each leg and the udder or scrotum (Figure
6). When tension is applied to the free ends pressure is directed to the areas where the
rope crosses. The pressure encourages the patient to become recumbent.
Burley Hitch
(Running W)
Figure 6, The rope placement for the Burley Hitch, used to induce recumbency.
Reef Hitch
The Reef hitch is a technique using a rope to induce recumbency in cattle. This technique
is performed with a shorter rope than the Burley hitch. A quick-release knot is used to
tether a haltered animal to a post in open area. A bowline (non-slip loop) is tied around
the neck of the patient. A half-hitch is tied around the barrel of the patient at the level of
the withers. The half-hitch is repeated at the level of the flank. As an assistant applies
tension to the free end of the rope, the operator adjusts the half-hitches to apply pressure
at the withers and lumbar region of the dorsum. Pressure on the dorsum at these sites
induces recumbency. A lariat with a quick-release honda is commonly used for this
procedure. When a lariat with a quick- release honda is used to encircle the neck, one
front limb must be included to prevent asphyxiation of the patient (Figure 7).
Reef Method
(Rope Squeeze)
Figure 7, The rope placement for the Reef Hitch, used to induce recumbency.
Note the incorporation of the forelimb in the loop around the neck to prevent
asphyxiation.
Leg Lift
Evaluation of lameness in cattle includes examination of the digits of the affected limb.
The attitude of normal cattle precludes picking the leg up manually. A rope can be used
to raise a limb for examination. A pipe is secured on the chute above the hip joint of the
patient. A lariat with a quick-release honda is used as a rope for this technique. A loop of
the lariat is passed over the pipe. The honda end is passed inside the leg from front to
back and a half hitch is formed over the descending length of rope. The honda is passed
inside the leg from back to front below the hock and a half hitch is formed below the
hock (Figure 8).
Figure 8, The half hitches above and below the hock during a leg lift
technique.
The quick-release honda is opened and fastened into the loop dropped from the pipe. The
rope and loops create a mechanical advantage for lifting the leg similar to a block and
tackle (Figure 9). The free end is held by an assistant to facilitate minor adjustments in
height. If the free end is tied, a quick-release knot should be used in the event the animal
falls.
Figure 9, The leg lift technique utilizing a lariat.
Side-line
A side-line is a rope used as a gate to crowd an animal up against a table or a wall. The
animal is haltered and tied to the wall or table. A long rope or lariat is secured around the
neck incorporating one forelimb to prevent asphyxiation. The free end of the rope is held
against the animal's side and tension is applied to force the animal to move against the
table or wall. The rope is secured to the wall or table during the process to increase the
mechanical advantage (Figure 10).
Figure 10, An example of the side-line technique to position an animal
against a flat surface.
Station 3: Knot Tying
Quick release manger or stall knot
(http://www.mn4hhorse.com/PDF/Hman/Horsemanship-Chap3.pdf)
Bowline (Refer to Boy Scout Handbook located at http://www.troop127.org/knots.htm or
http://www.troop9.org/?s=knots/bowline/index)
Square knot (Refer to Boy Scout Handbook located at
http://www.troop127.org/knots.htm or http://www.troop9.org/?s=knots/bowline/index)
Tail tie (sheet bend) (Refer to Boy Scout Handbook located at
http://www.troop127.org/knots.htm or http://www.troop9.org/?s=knots/bowline/index)