respecting the horns

[Goatherd]

I understand your comment, but for me, haveing goats with horns is a preference, not a mistake. I have a problem with dehorning. I also have a problem with cropping dogs ears, and cutting off their tails.....
of course a tail wont gord you like a goat horn will, but god gave them those body parts. I just have to be more careful.... and respect the horns

My sentiment, exactly. Thank you.

 

[patandchickens]

I do not mean to be critical, I am trying to help keep people safe here, but may I just say that it sounds to me like the issue is not so much needing to respect the horns as needing to remember to respect the ANIMALS?

Quite frankly when you said you went out and sat down on the ground with food among the goats, I thought Oh, Lordy, she got conked in the head or trampled. You got really *lucky*; and horns or no horns it is truly not a good idea to get butted hard in the head or chest, or run over by a full sized goat (even a miniature one won't do you a lot of good). All it takes is a moment of impatience, or one goat getting irked at another.

Please folks, realize that sitting on the ground among animals is risky, and for heaven's sake DON'T do it when you have FOOD there with you. It is the great big kick-me sign for a crippling injury.

Just cuz they're cute pets and know their names and do not mean you harm, does not mean they are harmless.

Pat

 

[jhm47]

As many of you probably can tell, I've been an EMT for 23 years now. I've seen literally hundreds of accidents involving "farm" stuff, and have developed some ideas on how to prevent problems. In my opinion, a horned cow, goat or sheep is just as dangerous as driving without a seatbelt, smoking, or teasing pitbulls. I have been adamant about warning people about doing the responsible thing, and dehorning their animals. Some of you disagree for whatever reason, and I respect your opinion. However, if you had seen what I saw several years ago, you would definitely change your minds. A bull and one of our neighbors were involved. This bull was supposed to be very gentle, but on this particular day, he was not. My neighbor nearly paid with his life for his cavalier attitude about dehorning and he still is undergoing surgery to correct the damage. This has cost him hundreds of thousands of $. I was not actually on call that day, but I was called in to assist the EMT's who were. We had to shoot the bull in order to get access to my fallen neighbor. My neighbor had his abdomen ripped open. His intestines and other organs were exposed and they were contaminated with mud, fecal matter, and whatever else the bull had been goring his horns in. The infection that this man endured and luckily survived was enormous. Ever since this, I have been outspoken about dehorning. I feel that it is especially important for people who are not particularly experienced with livestock. JMHO

 

[peachick]

thank you jhm47
we certainly understand your position.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

That definately explains your position. I understand now because of your expiriences as an EMT.

But with most things in life...there is risk..and if one dos'nt take some risks...your not really living are you??

I appreciate what you do for a job...and thank you..I commend you. Its tough and Im sure very shocking at tmes.

Most people who own livestock understand the risk they are taking on. I say most. And accidents happen and we make mistakes as the animals at times make mistakes too.

But if I did'nt breed my does because of fear of fetal death or some other tragedy that I was trying to prevent...I would never be a dairy farmer. I feel you gotta take the good with the bad and learning sometimes comes the hard way.

Im sorry dont mean to offend. But to me..life and risks is not that black and white. Living life is a risk everyday. If I stopped doing stuff because it was dangerous...my life would be boring and miserable.

I do understand and respect your opinion as well...you pick up the pieces. So you will have a differant prospective on it at times.

FYI I do dehorn my animals. Moreover for the safety of the herd. They can do alot of damage to themselves as well as humans. But I do understand people who want to keep the animal in the natural state its their right and choice. And as peachick said...respect the horn. She had her lesson that day...and thankfully not as bad as being disemboweled.

Please dont take offense...I am just stating an opinion!!

One risk I am definately willing to take is risking salmonella to eat raw chocolate chip cookie dough!!!

Be well!!

 

[Okie Amazon]

In my opinion, a horned cow, goat or sheep is just as dangerous as driving without a seatbelt, smoking, or teasing pitbulls.

Hmmm... well, two out of three I regularly indulge in. I tease German Shepherds on a regular basis as well, though they know it's all in fun. Thought I'd quit living so dangerously.

Both of our girls are horned; not really a preference, that's just the way they were when we got them and we'll take precautions and live with that. We have and do plan on dis-budding any kids we raise. (though we will buy the equipment and do it ourselves in the future, after losing a baby to de-horning aftermath; whether tetanus or over-heated brain). If we had children, I probably would NOT have purchased goats with horns, since children tend to be far less safety concious.

 

[carolinagirl]

I tease my pit bull on a regular basis. she is a big marshmellow and loves to play.

OK...regarding horns. I don't like them, but I won't dehorn either. The thought of nearly frying a baby goat's brains just because I don't want horns is appauling to me and I refuse to do it or allow it to be done on my animals. I saw it done once and I couldn't believe how the poor goat screamed. No thanks!! At one time I wanted to raise nigerian goats but since they are supposed to be sold dehorned, I decided against them. I am getting into sheep now and chose a breed that is naturally polled so I would not have to deal with horns or dehorning.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

OK...regarding horns. I don't like them, but I won't dehorn either. The thought of nearly frying a baby goat's brains just because I don't want horns is appauling to me and I refuse to do it or allow it to be done on my animals. I saw it done once and I couldn't believe how the poor goat screamed.

:/

Yes, if disbudding is done *improperly* you could nearly fry its brain.

 

[RabbleRoost Farm]

Several of the commenters here admitted that their accidents were "their fault", and they are correct. However, their biggest mistake was in not dehorning their animals when they were young. Goats, and especially cattle are 10X more dangerous with horns, and I'd hate to see any of you seriously injured because you neglected to dehorn. Believe me, I've seen first hand what a horned bull can do, and it's not pretty.

If I had gotten my goats from someone that didn't breed them solely for meat they probably would have been a lot more tame too. There are just some things that are out if your control sometimes and you have to deal with them. I may disbud in the future, I may not. It just depends. I fully understand the risk involved by having horned animals, but you take your life in your hands when you drive your car too.

Edit: Heck, even my "disbudded" doe has scur horns! The people I got her from obviously don't know what they're doing, since many of their new goats continue to show scurs when it's apparent that their older ones do too. You'd think they would learn... :/

 

[jhm47]

Quote: "I saw it done once and I couldn't believe how the goat screamed. No thanks."

I hope you or one of your children, your spouse, or another innocent person never has to scream in pain because you didn't dehorn your animals. Hearing a human scream in pain is far worse than hearing a goat or calf. I've been there far too many times (not just due to animals).