AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
Introduction to Veterinary Medical Science
Unit H: Restraint of Animals
Terminal Objective: To identify and practice methods used to handle and restrain animals.
Lesson: Topic H-2 Handling and Restraint of Livestock
Lesson objective(s):

Identify and practice methods used to handle and restrain of farm animals.
Essential Question(s): What skills do I need to be able to work safely with farm animals?
Estimated Time: 5 periods
Instructional Mode: Lecture, whole group, partners, and individual
Course TEKS: The student learns the employability
characteristics of a successful worker in the modern
workplace. The student shall:
Enabling Objectives:



Identify the methods used in handling and restraining horses,
cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
(c)(1)(C) demonstrate knowledge of personal and
occupational safety practices in the workplace.
(c)(1)(D) apply competencies related to
resources, information, interpersonal skills, and
systems of operation in veterinary medicine.
TAKS Objectives
English LA:
Math:
Science:
Social Studies:
Concepts Important to Know and Understand:

An animal’s senses function like those of a human; however,
most animals detect and perceive their environments very
differently as compared to the way humans detect and perceive
the same surroundings.

Handling and restraint is one of the most important jobs when
working in a clinic.

Animals need restraint to prevent injury to themselves, as well
as, those handling them.

Restraint of animals requires knowledge and understanding of
the different types of animals and their behavior.

Abuse of restraint is cruel and inhumane and should not be
tolerated.
Terms to Know:
Evaluations:
Informal

Teacher observation of the students as they engage in discussions and activities related to this unit and the willingness to take
the initiative to follow up on non-graded assignments.
Formal

Evaluation of a cognitive test centered on the technical or subject matter information covered for each of the enabling
objectives.
NOTES:

Students should have access to the “Veterinary Assistant Handbook”, Chapter VI, Sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 by Dr. Floron C.
Faries which is available from Instructional Materials Services, TAMU.

National Ag Safety Database (NASD) is an information clearinghouse for agricultural safety related documents.
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/contact.html
DAY 2
Handling and Restraining Horses
What techniques are used?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1. Are horses dangerous?
1. To introduce the lesson read
“Handling and Restraining
Horses” Chapter VI Section 5
from the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”. Be prepared to
discuss the review questions
on page VI-5-4.
Additional Information
An understanding of the horse's
natural behavior patterns and
learning process is an essential
key to safe and effective
management of horses. Some
of the characteristics you must
consider are size, suspicious
nature, telepathic ways, and
their blind spot.
2.
When handling and
restraining
horses
what
characteristics of the horse
should be considered?
Possible replies:

They are big
2. Using slide 2 and referring
to the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”, VI-5 discuss the
characteristics of the horse that
one should consider.
Horses because of their large
size can inflict fatal injuries if
they are not handled with
respect. They are not difficult
to handle provided their
suspicious nature is kept in
mind.
When a person is
nervous horses can detect this
and they will become more
excitable. Approaching a horse
on its blind spot can cause the
horse to react defensively.
3. What additional things do I
need to consider?
Possible replies:

Defense techniques

Can be soothed by
being confident and
gentle
3. Using slide 3-4 and by
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-5
discuss these additional factors
Some defense techniques that
can be very dangerous to
humans include:

kicking out in front,
behind, as well as
sideways

rearing up and striking
with their front hooves

biting

when frightened may
bolt
4. What guidelines and skills
and do I need to understand
and use when working with
horses?
4. Using slides 5-6-7 and by
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-5
discuss how to perform the
following:
However, they can be soothed
by gentle reassuring noises
and touch. Handlers who are
confident and authoritative
work very well with horses.
a. Safely position and approach
horse in stall
b. Safely catch horse in stall
c. Correctly halter and attach
lead rope
d. Safely lead horse in and out
of stall and position for release
e. Safely lead horse outside or
in a hallway
f. Back horse and move
hindquarters right and left
g. Safely walk horse into stocks
and out of stocks
h. Safely restrain for hoof
picking, grooming, dental work
and TPR
j. Apply nose and skin twitch
k. Restraint of foal (if possible)
NOTES: Day 2 continued next page
Reference Materials
Animal Care Training – ppt
Handling and Restraint of
Animals - Slides 2-3-4-5-6-7
“Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”, VI-5 by Dr. Floron
C. Faries available from
Instructional Materials
Services; TAMU
“Horse Sense 4 Kids” video
20 minutes available from
Agricultural Communications,
Oklahoma State University,
Public Information Building
Room 111, Stillwater OK
74078-6041, Phone: (405) 7443727 (click on the following
hyperlink for order information:
Related Videos)
DAY 2 continued
For additional reference materials, videos and web sites use the following hyperlinks by holding down the CTRL key and
clicking the mouse.
Approaching, Catching, and Haltering Horses Safely
Injuries From Horses and Cows
Blunt Bovine and Equine Trauma
Leading Horses Safely
Grooming Horses Safely
Mounting, Dismounting, and Riding Horses Safely
Handling Farm Animals Safely
Proper Harness Condition and Fit
Horse Sense 4 Kids: Preparing to Ride
Saddling and Bridling Horses Safely
Horse Sense 4 Kids: Safety on the Ground
Saddling, Bridling and Riding the Western Horse
Horse Trailer Maintenance and Trailering Safety
Safe Ground Handling of Horses
Horses & Children Safety Packet
Tying Horses Safely
Understanding Livestock Behavior
ACTIVITIES:

Demonstrate proper restraint and handling using a live horse along with proper handling and restraint equipment.

Observe and practice these skills by visiting a horse ranch or veterinary clinic.

View the 20 minute video “Horse Sense 4 Kids” available from Agricultural Communications, Oklahoma State University,
Public Information Building Room 111, Stillwater OK 74078-6041, Phone: (405) 744-3727
NOTES:
DAY 3
Handling and Restraining Cattle
What techniques are used?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1. Are cattle dangerous?
1. To introduce the lesson read
“Handling and Restraining
Cattle” Chapter VI Section 6
from the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”. Be prepared to
discuss the review questions
on page VI-6-5.
2. Why would cattle be harder
to handle compared to other
livestock?
Possible replies:

They have horns

They will kick
2. Using slide 8 and referring
to the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”, VI-6 discuss the
importance of knowing how to
properly handle cattle.
3. What characteristics of the
cow should be considered?
Possible replies:

Horns

They will kick
3. Using slide 9-10 and
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-6
discuss the characteristics of
the cow that one should
consider.
4. What guidelines and skills
and do I need to understand
and use when working with
cattle?
4. Using slides 11-12-13 and
by referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-6
discuss how to perform the
following:
Additional Information
Cattle are responsible for about
two-thirds of all injuries caused
by farm animals. Handling
cattle is more complex than
handling horses or pigs as they
have a larger body size, are
shy of people, and have less
predictable temperaments. So,
it is important to be able to
understand how they perceive
their environment before you
begin to handle them.
Remember mature males and
females weigh as much as
3000 lb and can easily be
frightened. When they become
agitated,
they
may
unintentionally
crush
their
handler.
Humans
cannot
overpower them with sheer
strength;
therefore
the
successful handler must be
able to outsmart them.
While cattle have poor color
recognition and poor depth
perception, their hearing is
extremely sensitive relative to
humans.
Knowing
these
characteristics, one can better
understand why cattle are often
skittish or balky in unfamiliar
surroundings.
Reference Materials
Animal Care Training – ppt
Handling and Restraint of
Animals – Slides 8-9-10-1112-13
“Veterinary Assistant Handbook”,
VI-5 by Dr. Floron C. Faries
available from Instructional
Materials Services; TAMU
“Cattle
Handling
Safety”
video 13 minutes available from
SW Center for Agricultural
Health UTHCT 11937 U.S.
Highway 271 Tyler, TX 757083154
a. Safe operation of squeeze
chute
b. Safely halter and restrain
animal for physical
c. Apply nose lead (fingers and
tongs)
Cattle have eyes set on the
d. Inspect tongue and mouth
side of their head that give
e. Use balling gun and them 360° panoramic vision
speculum
without having to turn around.
f. Make and install rope cow Most of what they see is blurry.
hobbles
They can only see objects
g. Make and install rope cow directly ahead of them with
tail tie
both eyes at the same time.
h. Apply "Tail Jack"
Cattle respond to sudden
i. Lift and inspect feet (front and movements and are very
rear)
sensitive to sudden changes in
k. Flanking calf (if available)
light intensity.
For additional reference materials, videos and web sites use the following hyperlinks by holding down the CTRL key and
clicking the mouse.
Accident Prevention in the Cowshed
Injuries on Dairy Farms in Otsego County, NY Results of Active
Blunt Bovine and Equine Trauma
Surveillance for 1 Year in an Established Cohort
Cattle Handling Safety in Working Facilities
Injury Due to Bull Goring
Cattle Safety
Livestock Confinement Dusts and Gases
Frequency of Dairy Farm Hazards, New York, 1982-83
Understanding Livestock Behavior
Handling Farm Animals Safely
Related Videos
Injuries From Horses and Cows
ACTIVITIES:

Demonstrate proper restraint and handling using a live cow along with proper handling and restraint equipment.

Observe and practice these skills by visiting a cattle ranch or veterinary clinic.

View the 13 minute video “Cattle Handling Safety” available from SW Center for Agricultural Health UTHCT 11937 U.S.
Highway 271 Tyler, TX 75708-3154
NOTES:
DAY 4
Handling and Restraining Pigs
What techniques are used?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1. Are pigs dangerous?
1. To introduce the lesson read
“Handling and Restraining
Swine” Chapter VI Section 7
from the “Veterinary Assistant
Handbook”. Be prepared to
discuss the review questions
on page VI-7-4.
2. Pigs are so cute; why are
they hard to handle?
2.
Using slides 14 and
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant Handbook”, VI-6,
discuss the importance of
knowing how to properly handle
pigs.
3. What characteristics make
pigs hard to handle and
restrain?
Possible replies:

They bite

They are dirty

They are loud
3. Using slides 15-16-17-1819-20-21-22-23 and referring to
the
“Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”, VI-7, discuss the
characteristics of the pig.
4. What guidelines and skills
and do I need to understand
and use when working with
pigs?
4. Using slides 24-25 and by
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant Handbook”, VI-7,
discuss how to perform the
following:




Pigs are low to the ground and
have short legs which are
difficult to hold. They are loud
creatures and have a very high
pitch squeal (see table below)
that can injury the handler’s
hearing ability. A grunt, bark or
squeal many times indicates
the pig has become agitated
and mouth chomping usually
precedes aggression.
Reference Materials
Animal Care Training – ppt
Handling and Restraint of
Animals – Slides 14-15-16-1718-19-20-21-22-23
“Veterinary Assistant Handbook”,
VI-5 by Dr. Floron C. Faries
available from Instructional
Materials Services; TAMU
When pigs become aggressive
they can and will bite and use
their “rooting” ability to inflict
pain.
Their bite can be
powerful enough to remove a
person’s finger. “Rooting” is a
normal behavior and the force
applied by their snout can
move or lift very heavy objects.
Food is a high motivator to pigs
and if they are comfortable they
will stand and eat while minor
procedures and examinations
are being performed on them;
i.e. give injections, treat minor
wounds and take temperatures.
Remaining calm, relaxed and
patient and using the proper
restraint and rewards (never
punishment) is the key to
handling pigs. The use of a
soothing voice, comfortable
touch, and food, is the best way
to reduce stress when working
with pigs.
Common Noise Levels (in decibels)
Loud rock music 115
Shop vacuum 98
Chickens (inside building) 105
Garden tractor 92
Table saw 100
Tractor wearing HPDs 85-95

Slide 20
Jet airplane 140*
Pig squeals 130*
Chain saw 115
How to approach a pig
Safely restrain for
examination
Apply humane snout
restraint
Restrain
piglet
(if
possible
Moving
hogs
by
guiding them with
gates and/or panels.
Additional Information
Swine are very friendly, docile
and sociable animals. They will
approach someone sitting or
kneeling more readily than
someone standing. They are
easily frightened and the urge
to escape is very strong.
Lawnmower 85
Electric drill 88
Quiet whisper 20
* Each increase of 6 decibels doubles the noise level and above 130 decibels causes pain.
ACTIVITIES:

Demonstrate proper restraint and handling using a live cow along with proper handling and restraint equipment.

Observe and practice these skills by visiting a pig farm or veterinary clinic.
NOTES:
DAY 5
Handling and Restraining Sheep and Goats
What techniques are used?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1.
Are sheep and goats 1. To introduce the lesson read
“Handling and Restraining
dangerous?
Sheep and Goats” Chapter VI
Section 8 from the “Veterinary
Assistant Handbook”.
Be
prepared to discuss the review
questions on page VI-8-3.
2. Mary had a little lamb so
why is restraint hard?
2. Using slides 26-27-and
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-8
discuss how to handle and
restrain sheep and goats.
3. What characteristics make
sheep and goats hard to handle
and restrain?
Possible replies:

They will butt you with
their head

They do not like being
held by the horns
3. Using slides 28-29-30-31-32
and referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant Handbook”, VI-7,
discuss the characteristics of
sheep and goats.
4. What guidelines and skills
and do I need to understand
and use when working with
pigs?
4. Using slide 33-34 and by
referring to the “Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”,
VI-8
discuss how to perform the
following:
Additional Information
Sheep and goats have a
unique combination of behavior
patterns that directly result from
physiological and psychological
influences. Although goats and
sheep have similar behaviors
these behaviors are very
different from other farm
animals.
Reference Materials
Animal Care Training – ppt
Handling and Restraint of
Animals – Slides 26-27-28-2930-31-32-33-34
“Veterinary Assistant Handbook”,
VI-8 by Dr. Floron C. Faries
available from Instructional
Materials Services; TAMU
Sheep and goats are not as
dangerous as cattle, but they
can certainly hurt a person. A
common accident involving
sheep and goats is being
butted by a mature male and/or
a new mother which can knock
people off their feet
Sheep can be immobilized by
sitting it up on its rump and the
ground. They will feel secure in
this
position
and
stop
struggling.
Although a goat
resents being handled like
sheep this method can be used
for goats. But, most goats are
happy to be restrained with a
collar or adjustable rope halter.
Although it seems natural to
hold and lead goats (or sheep)
by the horns they don't like it
and will usually shake their
heads and fight this technique
of leading or restraint. You
should never hold sheep by
their wool; always hold them
using a natural hold, such as
the jaw or the rear flank.
Restraining lambs and kids is
very simple because they are
lightweight and have no
defenses. Handlers can simply
hold them by the feet or tuck
them under their arm.
Slides 35-36 Handling and Restraint of Livestock Summary
 Practical experience is the best teacher for safe handling of livestock
 Those that have handled animals over a long period of time develop a 'feel' for, or understanding of, animals and their habits.
 Most animals will respond to routine so you need to be calm and deliberate
 Announce your presence well in advance of getting close to an animal, to avoid startling it
 Avoid quick movements or loud noises
 Be patient; never prod an animal when it has nowhere to go
 Respect livestock -- don't fear them
 Move slowly and deliberately around livestock; gently touch animals rather than shoving or bumping them
 Always provide yourself with an escape route when working with an animal in close quarters.
ACTIVITIES:

Demonstrate proper restraint and handling using live sheep and goats along with proper handling and restraint equipment.

Observe and practice these skills by visiting a sheep or goat ranch or veterinary clinic.
NOTES:
DAY 6
Optional Lesson “The Use of Ropes”
How are ropes used?
Focus Questions
Engaging Activities
1. Can you tie a quick release 1.
Read “Common Knots”
halter knot?
Chapter VI, Section 2 from the
“Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”, VI-2-9.
2. For practice tie and explain
appropriate
uses
and
applications of various knots.
NOTES:
Additional Information
Provide samples of the different
knots and provide students with
rope materials for practice.
A few of the common knots
used around a veterinary clinic
are

Square Knot

Bowline Knot

Clove Hitch Knot

Sheetbend (tail tie)
Knot

Tom Fool’s (Handcuff)
Knot

Quick Release Halter
Knot
Reference Materials
Chapter VI, Section 2 from the
“Veterinary
Assistant
Handbook”