Little help please!

[Lazy C Farms]

I have a heifer that keeps throwing her head while im leading her. What can I do to stop it?

 

[PaddyO]

Jerk the you know what outta of her....  haha... Nah but honestly that will work must of the time... After they figure out you are the boss, she should stop

 

[inthebarnagain]

Probably doesn't like the halter staying tight on her head.  Until she is broke and will follow you without you havign to pull, use a halter that has a ring so when you let off the pressure is immediately relieved on her chin.  She should stop fighting pretty quick. 

 

[justme]

We've gotta head tosser too.  I was told to tie her head of more everyday.  Starting to work.  Hopefully she's in a good mood Saturday at the show lol (thumbsup) (thumbsup)

Good luck.  I think it just takes time.  Don't let your young ones lead her until she's broke of it.  If she learns she can do it with the kids she'll keep doing it and bullying them.

 

[knabe]

I have a heifer that keeps throwing her head while im leading her. What can I do to stop it?

it's a defense mechanism and a testing device to see if she can get a result she desires, ie you leaving, even if it's after a struggle and a "lesson" by you.

when you pull on them, it teaches them to search for the pull to start to throw their head and it reinforces resistance in other areas.

if you just let go of the resistance before it starts and let them shake their head, they will see it offers no gain.

start out with smaller holds.  tilt their head, and release and reward when they do it with no resistance and build on this.  build on this to include moving their feet.

learn how to disengage their rear end where they put their inside rear leg across the outer one, and then back.  when you do this, you will see a brief relaxation which, if you can recognize, is what you want to build on.

 

[Lazy C Farms]

Thanks for all the advise! Hopefully some of it will work. Someone told me to dally her to my horse while I was riding... any thoughts on that?

 

[GoWyo]

I would try the other options for quite a while first.  With a horse, you will throw too much power at her and it might make her worse when you do not have horse power.

 

[knabe]

Thanks for all the advise! Hopefully some of it will work. Someone told me to dally her to my horse while I was riding... any thoughts on that?

force vs. understanding?  pretend your calf is a horse and you have a halter with barbed wire on it (in your hand, not on the calf's head).  it might motivate you to think about things a little bit differently.

 

[Lazy C Farms]

Great advise!!! Ill try my best to put myself in her shoes! I hope some of this stuff works I was really getting frustrated with her and I know thats not helpful for either one of us.
Im new to the show side of cattle so any advise is much appreciated. I didnt realize how easy I had it with beef cattle! THANKS!!!!

 

[loveRedcows]

force vs. understanding? 
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The easiest thing I've come up with is using the halters with a slide ring on them. On teaching them to lead I tug a little & if they take a step forward I reward with a release on the tension & praise them.  Sounds corny & is really time consuming but it works for this old lady!  Good luck with her.

 

[knabe]

force vs. understanding? 

The easiest thing I've come up with is using the halters with a slide ring on them. On teaching them to lead I tug a little & if they take a step forward I reward with a release on the tension & praise them.  Sounds corny & is really time consuming but it works for this old lady!  Good luck with her.
[/quote]

ditto, ps, i like blaze.