4H cow walker trainer hitch for tractor

[klink]

My son asked me to make a calf or cow walker tractor hitch to use to train larger calfs to walk with his teenage kids. I know, they should walk the calfs daily, so that it is a gradual training process. Last years dairy show calfs are going back to the fair again this coming summer. So I'm looking for suggestions on how to build a tractor hitch to pull the calfs as safe as posible while the kid can walk beside the calf as needed. I may be making this harder then it is.

 

[KYErik]

Maybe you could just attach a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" plywood to the closed tailgate of an old pickup truck (with a hole cut to access the hitch). Mount it so that the bottom is about 8-10 inches off of the ground.

I tried the tractor method 25 years ago when I was in 4H and was attempting to train a heifer to lead. It didn't work for me, she just sat down and put all 4 legs forward and let herself be drug around- but maybe it was partly because she was just a stubborn angus. My wife trained our jersey milk cow to lead in a just few weeks all by herself (she wasn't even halter trained when we got her)- I am amazed at how docile Jerseys can be.

Anyway, dad ended up putting a wood post in the middle of an open area and attached a 15 ft rope to the post. This was then attached to a rope halter. When you pull down on the rope halter, it puts pressure underneath the jaw and this is the "motivation" to move. If she tried to take off and run away, she quickly hit the end of the rope. Although the first few days were very exciting, it just took about 2-3 weeks working with her every night to get her to where she would lead nicely.

 

[bigbull338]

My son asked me to make a calf or cow walker tractor hitch to use to train larger calfs to walk with his teenage kids. I know, they should walk the calfs daily, so that it is a gradual training process. Last years dairy show calfs are going back to the fair again this coming summer. So I'm looking for suggestions on how to build a tractor hitch to pull the calfs as safe as posible while the kid can walk beside the calf as needed. I may be making this harder then it is.

as i was reading your thread i got lost,do you want to break new cattle to the halter or exercise older halter broke cattle with the tractor.if your wanting to halter break emm.then put your 3pt hay forks on the tractor.an tie the calf between the forks an drive very slow.an have the kid walking beside holding the loose end of the leadrope.thus making the calf think the kid is leading it.an it wont fight so hard.ive only had to break 1 calf to lead with the tractor.

 

[MWRR]

I have tried the tractor method also with the a couple of contrary calves. Didn't work at all for me. Some calves (bloodlines) are not good candidates for show prospects and should be removed from the heard.
A would be cautious about using the 3pt hay fork for training. If the calf should get spooked or something it could fall into the forks.

I ran across a website some time ago showing a method similar to breaking horses. Looked like it was a lot easier on the calf and the rancher, but it took quite a bit of time. The guy started off with a (western range) calf in a confined area with a show stick. He just kept walking the calf in circles until the calf stood to be touched with the stick and then he worked up to touching with his hands, then putting on a rope halter. Has anyone else seen this? If so I would like to view it again.

 

[bigbull338]

you tie them in the hay forks right an tight,but not to loose.but you do have to know how todo what im talking about.

 

[blueriver]

I use a boom pole to break mule colts to lead ... you can keep it high enough so they don't rear up into it ... if they loose footing you can stop lower it and take a way the pressure when they get back up ... go again. Might work for a calf? Never trained a calf to lead but if I had to I think I'd go that route ... at least I would try it.

 

[Depmandog]

Ahh the memories. I had show calves growing up, and a few barrows. I didn't have any help whatsoever. No one to drive the tractor to break them that way.

My method worked well, but egads took a lot of time, albeit very enjoyable time! It actually started the day I confined the calf. Getting him use to me during feeding. I would reach out and touch him, then worked up to brushing him during feeding. Then getting him used to the rope, on and off his head. Then putting the halter on.

By this time he wasn't spooked at all (probably two months has gone by). He would follow me around like a dog. I would put a leash on the halter and just work with him. Sometimes with a feed bucket. Introduced the show stick, more quality time.

Eventually (month four or five) I felt brave enough to take him out of his corral, but was smart enough to tie on a 50' rope in case I needed to head for the nearest post to stop him from bolting. Yup, had to a few times, but after that - he was broke to lead.

Come fair time, most of them were broke so well, I would let the girls up in his back and walk steer and girl around the fairgrounds!!

Mornings, before school I didn't have much time to spend with him, just a few minutes, but after evening chores - I would try to spend a hour or so most nights.

I know he is wanting a quick way to break the steer. I suppose it boils down to his kids are "too busy" doing all of the other stuff these days to enjoy spending the time to do it themselves.

Don't think I am criticizing, heck my kids were the same way, a million things to do - busy busy busy. Life was slower back then, and I am only 50!

Oh - I raised Simmental cross and one Red Angus.

 

[grnspot110]

We always just penned ours up & led them to water & back! Most will learn quickly when there's something they want at the other end. ~~ grnspot

 

[Bird]

My wife trained our jersey milk cow to lead in a just few weeks all by herself (she wasn't even halter trained when we got her)- I am amazed at how docile Jerseys can be.

As far as show animals, I only showed Berkshire hogs and White Leghorn chickens. But you're right about Jerseys. We had a Jersey milk cow from the time I was 6 years old and I could put a rope on her horns and lead her anywhere. That was one Dad bought, but then he got her bred to a Jersey bull and we raised the heifer calf to be our milk cow and that one was just a family pet. She'd follow us around whether she had a rope on or not.

 

[klink]

Thanks guys


This son and grandkids live a good hour away, and last night my wife and I went over to visit. The cow or calf [ I don't know the correct verbage ] is over a year old, was acting ok last night, but as you know they can act up on a moments notice. I have a couple of short 3 point boom poles. I 'm going to give him one of the boom poles to use. I cautioned him on the fact that the raising or lowering of the 3 point to fast or to high could hurt the animal. It goes back to common sense. They lead this calf at last year's fair with no problems at all. But the animal was smaller then also. Last week when they took the cow out for the first time in a long time was a different story. I think more time spent with the cow will take care of the problem.
Thanks for your ideas & suggestions
Klink