Handling Animals: Safety, Confidence, and Preparation!
When it comes to farming, handling large animals like cattle, horses, and pigs is an essential yet demanding task. These animals are strong and can be unpredictable, making it crucial to approach them with care, confidence, and preparation. Whether you’re feeding, herding, or performing medical procedures, prioritizing safety is key to keeping both you and the animals safe.
Here are some tips to help you safely handle large animals on the farm:
Approach Calmly and Confidently
Animals, especially large ones, can sense your energy. A calm, steady approach helps prevent startling them. Always approach with purpose and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could cause them to react unpredictably. Keeping your movements slow and controlled helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere for both you and the animal.
Never Turn Your Back on Them
Even if an animal seems familiar, never turn your back on them. Animals, especially larger ones like cattle or horses, can be unpredictable. By maintaining awareness of their position, you reduce the risk of being caught off guard. Always keep your eye on the animal and stay alert to their body language and behaviour.
Use Proper Barriers or Restraints
To maintain control and ensure safety, use the proper barriers or restraints when working with large animals. Yards, crushes, and headrails are essential for restraining animals during tasks like milking, feeding, or medical treatments. Proper equipment helps prevent injury to both the animal and the handler. It’s also important to make sure that your facilities are properly sized and in good condition.
Stay Mindful of Your Surroundings
Large animals can get startled by sudden movements or changes in their environment. Stay aware of your surroundings to ensure nothing unexpected happens. Also, be mindful
of where you place yourself in relation to the animal. Keeping your body away from dangerous areas like behind a horse or in a cow’s kicking range helps avoid accidents.
Wear Sturdy Footwear and Protective Gloves
When handling large animals, wear proper protective clothing, especially sturdy footwear, and gloves. This will protect you from potential scrapes, kicks, or slips. Boots with thick soles help protect your feet, while gloves prevent cuts and abrasions, especially when working with animals that may not be gentle.
Respect Their Strength
Whether it’s a horse, cow, or pig, remember that animals of all sizes are strong and can be unpredictable. Always respect their strength and approach them with caution. If you’re handling livestock like cattle, make sure there’s enough space for them to move comfortably and freely. Be sure that you are using the appropriate handling equipment for the animal’s size and temperament.
Understand Animal Behaviour
Each species, and even each breed, can have different behaviours and temperaments. For example, cattle, pigs, and dairy cows often have limited depth perception and can be sensitive to changes in light. Horses, on the other hand, may kick backward, while cows typically kick to the side. Understanding these behaviours helps you avoid potentially dangerous situations. Recognizing herd instincts and vision abilities can also speed up the handling process.
Training and Induction
Proper training for all workers who interact with animals is vital. Every individual should be informed about standard handling practices, potential hazards, and how to deal with different situations. Minimizing loud noises or yelling is also essential, as it can agitate the animals. Be sure that everyone is trained to recognize and respond to animal behaviors safely.
Safe Handling of Specific Animals
Cattle: Make sure there is enough space for cattle to move freely. Use headrails, cradles, and crushes to safely restrain them when needed. Ensure that the animals are aware of your presence before you start handling them.
Sheep: Avoid lifting sheep unnecessarily. Make sure sheds are well-lit and ventilated and keep dogs out of the work area unless they are needed for herding.
Horses: Always wear protective gear, including footwear and a helmet, when handling horses. Never wind lead ropes around your hand, as it can be dangerous if the horse pulls.
Pigs: Use nose ropes and crushes to safely restrain pigs. Make sure pens are secure and avoid letting small children get too close to the animals.
Low-Stress Methods for Livestock
Utilizing low-stress handling methods can improve the welfare of livestock, leading to better overall health and productivity. It can also contribute to improving and ensuring a safer and more efficient work environment. Handling animals with care reduces stress and increases trust, making future interactions smoother and safer for both you and the animals.
Respect and Care Leads to Safer Handling:
Proper handling methods benefit the animals by reducing pain and stress, improving their overall welfare. Safe handling can lead to healthier animals and better farm productivity. It’s also crucial for creating a safer, more efficient working environment for farmworkers and their families.
Handling large animals on the farm is a task that requires skill, patience, and respect. By maintaining a calm, confident demeanor, using proper equipment, and understanding animal behavior, you can ensure a safer and more efficient process for both you and the animals. Respect their strength, work with care, and build trust – a little preparation goes a long way in keeping everyone safe!
Want to learn more about safe animal handling? Check out this resource: https://www.safeagsystems.com/blog/handling-livestock-on-farm
About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube
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