Can I use a picket line instead of a fence for a cow?

[FamilyBurger]

I reckon I'm posting in the right spot.

I'd like to know if I could use a horse picket line for a cow? I can't find anything on the internet about it. Can anyone give me advice?

-thanks
familyburger

 

[Farmer Kitty]

What is a horse picket line?

 

[FamilyBurger]

A horse picket line is a 30 foot or more length of rope that is attached to a long spike hammered into the ground. The rope is attached to a buckled strap around the horse's foot, or tied to the halter. They can get tangled in them, but if you keep an eye on them, you can usually prevent it. A highline is like a picket line, only it's stretched between two trees or two posts, not tied to the foot.
Here is a picture of one
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1. go to google.com
2. images
3. horse picket line

-familyburger

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I would not tie to a cows leg. You can put a neck strap on it and hook to that.

In the pics I looked at they are anchoring the rope in a variety of ways. How are you planning on anchoring?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Another thought, if you are looking at one 6 months of age, like you mentioned in your other thread, and it's never been hooked you will need to be around to work with it. and be sure it's okay. Cattle that have never been hooked will get very scared and fight and may get hurt or kill themself.

 

[FamilyBurger]

I could do it two different ways.
One, I could use a ground anchor, I'd use a long spike in the ground.
Two, I could tie the rope between two trees or two posts, then tie the cow's rope to the rope between the trees or posts.

But if the picket line won't work, my last alternative is to use electrobraid fencing. You can find out about that at, www.electrobraid.com

thanks

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Either anchor sounds good as long as the animal won't be able to pull it up.

As for the fence, we run our cattle on electric fencing so that's not a problem. The electrobraid looks expensive but, if that is what you prefer over T-posts and insulators and wire that is fine.

Either way should work but, most do use fencing instead of having to move the animal that is hooked on a regular basis.

 

[FamilyBurger]

Thank you very much
I appreciate your info!
The electrobraid is actually the cheapest stuff my dad could find he said. I haven't actually looked at the prices though! Thanks again!

-familyburger

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I didn't look through prices either but, with those wooden posts I can't imagine it being cheap. Plus, there's digging in each post instead of pounding them in like a T-post.

 

[Thewife]

Dad always kept our beefers, hatered and roped to a long metal spike we drove into the ground. Us girls learned early how to stop a bolting animal, by just driving that spike into the ground, real quick!

I'm guessing when he had them tied to the tree, it was the inital training?