First time moving my cows

[AmandaQ]

My black baldy Penelope and my half Hereford/half Charolais yearling Dulce are catching a ride with a transporter to Athens on Monday morning to get on the UGA large animal clinic's tilt table for a check up and hoof trimming. Since the ride costs the same for both as it would for one, I decided to load them both up and take them. I would appreciate any pointers on loading my girls. They get a little nervous when strangers come visit them. Armando is bringing something to help corral them. Without the trailer and anyone else around, they will follow me anywhere. Can I walk in the trailer with some grain buckets and let them follow me in? Any advice on how to safely do this and what I need and don't need done at the vet would be greatly appreciated! I would like to not go back there for years! This is Penelope's first hoof trim in 8 years and hopefully her last!

 

[coachg]

I've loaded them that way . Give them a taste first and then get up in the trailer. You may have to pour the feed in a container in the front of the trailer to get them to go on . Or just far enough into the trailer they can see and smell it .

 

[Travlr]

Does the trailer have an exit door? I'm not a big fan of being in a trailer with the animals. Too easy to be injured. Some animals are easy to bait and others need to be driven. I guess you'll be finding out what works.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Main thing is to have a corral, so they can only go into the trailer - not run away! Keep truck driver and others away when you try to get them to follow you. If that does not work, you will need others to help you drive them into the trailer. Best if your corral V's into the trailer.

 

[Warren Allison]

Does this Armando have any experience hauling cattle? If so, just let him worry about it and stay out of his way unless he asks you to do something.

 

[redcowsrule33]

And corral them before the trailer comes. Once they see it with all the noise they will know something's up.

 

[AmandaQ]

Does this Armando have any experience hauling cattle? If so, just let him worry about it and stay out of his way unless he asks you to do something.

I found him on the UGA transport list so I am assuming he does.

 

[AmandaQ]

Does the trailer have an exit door? I'm not a big fan of being in a trailer with the animals. Too easy to be injured. Some animals are easy to bait and others need to be driven. I guess you'll be finding out what works.

Mine are very easy to be baited in normal conditions. I hope I can report back that they were so chill and just walked in.

 

[AmandaQ]

Does the trailer have an exit door? I'm not a big fan of being in a trailer with the animals. Too easy to be injured. Some animals are easy to bait and others need to be driven. I guess you'll be finding out what works.

I don't know but I'm hoping yes!

Main thing is to have a corral, so they can only go into the trailer - not run away! Keep truck driver and others away when you try to get them to follow you. If that does not work, you will need others to help you drive them into the trailer. Best if your corral V's into the trailer.

I hadn't thought of keeping him away, that will be helpful to see if they will just go in to get the grain.

 

[Brute 23]

You will have to read the situation in the moment. Don't get you heart or mind set on one way right now. You may start with grain and no help and end with both yall putting them in. Rock with the roll to get it done safely.

Most importantly, cover your own butt. You have new cows, a new person, etc. Don't get yourself in a bind over a cow.

 

[AinisR28]

Others have already mentioned putting them in a corral first. It could also be a barn or any other enclosed space where they can't run away.
From my experience, however, the easiest way to get docile and friendly cows into a trailer is by using a rope—around the neck for calmer ones, and around the horns for the more stubborn ones.

 

[AmandaQ]

Y'all were right. I needed three gates to make a corral, the big one jumped in after some coaxing and then the yearling felt some FOMO and decided to get in the trailer too. It was a memorable day for all of us. Penelope weighs 1,668 and Dulce weighs 442. And neither are fans of the tilt table! They want to see Penelope again in 6-8 months. I can't even think about that yet.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

Well Done

 

[AmandaQ]

Thank you! The little one seemed to feel bad all day yesterday and was rather mad at me. Hopefully today she will be back to her happy self.