Stop a kicker

[Aussie]

Just in with a big lump and brusie from a hfr kick. Very cunning picks her mark only on one side. Tried a few things that usually work eg running hose so she kick to sick of it blower all that did not work. Any ideas.

 

[coachmac]

I feel for ya!  Had one of those myself.  Tried a couple of things similar to what you did...water, blower, etc.,,,,, even gave her one back for good measure and then tried to deliver another  .....  ....  BIG mistake.  Our heifer timed that one with a VERY well placed kick of her own and caught me  right in the end of my adidas.  Thought it broke my bloomin foot!  One of those .... run around the yard and laugh or..... cry like a baby!  I ran and laughed.  Took two months for my big toe to feel normal.  Not real sure it was broke, but anyway, she kindof outgrew it.  The best shot she got in hit my right about the right eye.  Knocked me out cold and left my right contact laying on my cheek.  That one hurt, but now.....my 9 year old can do anything with her from any position.  Today I was brushing her before a rain came in and didnt get done in time.  Our scotty terrier used her as a dog house while it was pouring and I was brushing.  Of course we have had her at over a dosen shows this year so she better be sacked out a little.  Have patience!  Our heifer wasn't scared at all.....she would just get fed up with the grooming process and that was, in her mind, the best way for it to come to an abrupt halt.  Only problem is I didnt halt, and she finally did!  Hang in there and get an ice pack! 

 

[Aussie]

Yer Coachmac have been down the give one back road many years ago they win always. Got two months till first show so I supose she will come right been in the shed 3 weeks and will just put on a happy face

 

[Silver]

You need to show them that kicking doesn't stop you. We get a raddle paddle and put it all over them even if they are kicking just keep doing it until they give up and stop kicking. Eventually she will learn that kicking is of no use so she'll stop.

 

[Show Heifer]

Just wanted to have a "down to earth" chat about kicking.... coachmac made light of getting kicked, and I am glad he was able to get up but...

I watched a fella get kicked at a show fitting a hind leg, took 28 stitiches to put his cheeck back on, and lost his eye completely. that was funny (not).
Watched a girl get kicked and it shattered her knee.... she still can't walk quite right. histarical (not)
Heard about the results of a kick I saw where a father was kicked in the head, again fitting the leg, and he will always have weakness in the right side, and slurred speech.  LMAO (not).

My point is this: while it might be the manly thing to admit you got your butt whooped by a kicker, and you survived  it is nothing to laugh at, and should be avoided.

I like the paddle idea, or the brush on a stick idea. drag a water hose under her feet. anything to give her a chance to kick. Then don't stop until she stops kicking. Be persistent, and always be weary of her until she proves to you she will not kick under any circumstances.

Good luck.

 

[LostFarmer]

Having spent more hours milking cows than I care to count I have dealt with my share of kickers.  Nothing like 20 heifers to barn break at once.  Some with a little time and patience got over it.  Some got to where you could milk them with out hobbles.  One had her leg tied back every day for 3 lactation.  She didn't always kick but when she did it was to maim or kill.  She came up open and I personally enjoyed ever bite of her. 

I never had any luck hitting back and harder.  A brush on a stick until they gave up was the best method.  Never let them make you quit grooming until you are ready to quit.  One of the boys calves I used a cant kick until it calmed down.  LF

 

[iowabeef]

Sullivan's sells a device that is like a big clamp.  You put it right in front of the hips and it prevents them from kicking while you are grooming.  We have used it and it works very well.

 

[knabe]

Sullivan's sells a device that is like a big clamp.  You put it right in front of the hips and it prevents them from kicking while you are grooming.  We have used it and it works very well.

here's a thread with a pick of a clamp.  not sure if it's the one available from sullivans.

http://www.steerplanet.com/bb/index.php?topic=328.msg1827#msg1827

 

[Silver]

Sullivan's sells a device that is like a big clamp.  You put it right in front of the hips and it prevents them from kicking while you are grooming.  We have used it and it works very well.

I don't have much faith in these. Tried to put one a cow that had lost her calf so that we could start a graft calf. I got all comfortable trying to get the calf to suck and then she kicked me in the back of the knee. I shoe horses too, and I would rather be kicked 20 times by a cow than once by a horse. They just have a better angle.

 

[iowabeef]

The devise we used from Sullivans worked 100%....took a steer that was a chronic kicker and stopped him completely.  Made fitting of his back legs a dream...

 

[coachmac]

Show Heifer - not real sure I was making light of getting kicked.  Not at all actually.  Scares me to death when we have one that picks up their feet, especially when my kids are involved.  My kids understand you have to respect the animal or you could get hurt or even worse.  We have a few horses as well so being very aware of what is going on around you is of utmost importance.  Watched way to many people come out on the wrong end of a foot or hoof.  Kindof like ridin a two wheeler though, wrecks will happen, you just try to lessen the amount of damage by staying on your toes and paying attention to what is going on around you. 

 

[LostFarmer]

The big clamp ones are what I am talking about.  They can still kick but will likely not maim you permanently with them on.  Takes the real power out of the shot.  LF

 

[hunter1]

get a broom and brush on the legs gently for as long as you can stand it 30 mins at a time for about a week should get familiar with it and be ok after awhile. Worked on a heifer that would kick at the drop of a hat after about a week could do just about anything with her. don't rush take it slow and don't get in her space for a couple times should work..

 

[Shady Lane]

Similar to the clamp idea, one thing you can do is take a neck rope and put it around her belly as tight as you can, slip a show stick under it and twist the rope tight such that the rope is just in front of her hooks.

Sverely limits their ability to kick.

It's a band-aid and not a cure though, as mentioned allready the brush on a stick until they won't kick anymore seems to be the best.

 

[Dyer Show cattle]

One of the best ideas I heard was put a fan on them that they cant reach kicking, then tie streamers to it just long enough to touch the calf. I have not tried it myself, I have been fortunate enough to not have a kicker in a while. I know it worked for them though.

 

[Aussie]

Thanks everyone as I have said before this is a great forum for ideas. I am just about to go out and do battle again had will use the brush on a stick had forgotten that. I clamp I think is a temp measure so will try other things first. Will also hang some enty feedbags from the sides of the chute once she is in there and shge can kick them for a while. <beer>