Well here we are again, some readers will remember that about two years ago I had Dougal's feet trimmed by the vet. I have looked for about 10yrs to find someone who can do the job, with the facilities to manage my pet Highland Cows. Both are really quite old now, however the youngest, Dougal has always had problems with his back feet. Mainly due to the fact that I have failed to be able to find someone who can do !! If you know what I mean.
Well this has now been rectified. After a very long quest I have eventually managed to locate a very nice chap, with a special mobile cow crush who does this for a day job. His cattle handling facilities are larger than the average cattle crush. Which is exactly what we required. So last Wednesday it was the day of reckoning..... I must admit I was sceptical and worried all at the same time. On Tuesday evening it was a case of getting the cows moved down into the barn. I did have help, my contractor who does my baling came over and we moved the cows successfully into the barn rover night, to be ready for 'D' Day !!
Now the man who can is Syd ! Here he is persuading Haggis to fit into a slightly smaller gap than you would expect him to. After a bit of time and gentle persuasion... he went forward into the crush.
Now for the clever part... Haggis's horns were just too wide for him to get his head through, but Syd decided to remove the left shoulder bar to give Haggis some more room.... however he still could not get his head through. It was decided to just go ahead with the job. It was done quite quickly as we didn't want to keep him fastened any longer than necessary. His feet were not too bad.
This is the main one ... Dougal ! His back feet were terrible, although the vet had trimmed the two years ago, he couldn't get them done properly at the time. But this time, access was no problem !
Here is Dougal unceremoniously being placed on his side, his feet are tied to the side of the crush and he has two massive straps to hold him secure round his belly. Syd get on with the job....
No need for nail files here I'm afraid, its something rather more powerful.... an angle grinder.
And finally ... back in the field, like nothing had happened. I don't know who was more stressed ....Syd, the cows or me.... but at various stages of the process it was quite worrying.
I don't drink ... but I could easily turn to drink .... if that was my day job !!
What a relief .... all round .... now its slightly less stressful, as I attempt to hay make ..... then it will be time to think of new arrivals ....here !
The babies are due around mid September.