AboutJauson Expertise I can answer questions about training, such as but not limited to halter breaking, saddle, harness and trick training. Health, housing and some breeding issues. I will not answer health questions that would require me to examine the animal in person. These types of questions are best handled by your local vet.
Experience Im the founder of the IRSA, I have trained cattle and bison for many years. I have written a book about training and have owned and shown many grand champion Longhorn cattle.
Organizations IRSA, ITLA
Publications Apples N Oats,The Farm Show Magazine, Western Horseman, The Complete Book of Riding Steers, Steers with Gears,The Drover
Education/Credentials equine science
Awards and Honors Many Produce of dam, and grand champion steers of all ages.
Question QUESTION: I have a miniature Zebu Brahma steer that I have raised from a week old. He was neutered at 1 1/2 years old. He is very friendly and loves attention but every once in a wile he digs his horns in the dirt and jumps around and tires to butt me. He has gotten me down a few times and hurt me.
I care a lot for him but am scared to go in the field with him.
The man that I got him from says "It is not if he will kill him but when he will"
I don't know what to do
HELP!!!
Bill Shaver
ANSWER: Ground manors are very important. The aggressive behavior that he is showing by rubbing his horns in the dirt is bad, as you know. The jumping around is sometimes play behavior. Hard to know since I can't see when and how he is doing it. The first step is to teach him MY space and YOUR space by teaching the BACK command. When he is close to you hold your hand out like a traffic cop saying to stop traffic, and say BACK, he won't know what this means the first time, so instantly tap him nose with your hand hard enough to get his attention, but not "hit" him, and say BACK, again with your hand out after word. When he starts his play behavior, say NO, Back. If he doesn't leave. He is a herd animal and will be sad to have his playmate ignore him. Then go back and teach the BACK command. If he is a real danger, and this is not play but aggressive behavior you may want to sell him and use the money to buy a calf that can be trained properly. I know that's not what you want to hear. He has been doing this for sometime and getting away with it. How old is he now? This also makes a difference. There are books on training cattle on the market. The Complete Book of Riding Steers covers bad habits as does the IRSA message board. However with out someone actually knowing if this is play or aggressive behavior, its almost impossible for me to tell you to go into the pasture with him and try to teach the BACK command. If this is aggressive behavior when you smack his nose, he will try to take you and could hurt you badly or kill you. There for the above advice is only good if this is play. The horns in the ground and probably tossing dirt with his hooves is not play. I know you love this steer. The question you have to ask yourself is, is he worth risking your life over? Would you love a calf you started with correct training and could ride, have pull a buggy or just enjoy in safety just as much? Genetics as well as environment plays a part in how animals act. We as humans breed cattle for food. We don't as humans like to make friends with our food, there for some cattle are not predisposed to be pets.
Dairy breeds and some strains of Longhorns, and Brahman are bred with the ability to work with humans more then breeds used as strictly beef. Sometimes there is nothing you can do, this is who they are. Heart vs. bottom line is a hard thing. Only you can make that choice. I hope you use your head and not your heart when evaluating if this animal is playing, or is aggressive, and then decide if you want to risk tapping him on the nose to find out. If you do find yourself in a bind with him there are 3 very important things to remember. 1) a bovine can not catch him own tail. Stay behind him and he can't get you. 2) a male once his head is down will not look back up. Where ever you where when he put his head down, that's where he will charge. You can step aside and be out of his way. A cow however will pick her head up and you can't get away. 3) They crush using their head as a weight to break your ribs and crush your lungs. Rolling into a ball will help minimize the damage to your body. I hope you never need to use any of those 3 things.
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QUESTION: He is 6 years old. He is in with 2 llamas 3 mini horses 36" mini donkey and a mini mule.
I think he started off playing and he has had me down 3 or 4 times (I am 63 by the way)
Yesterday I went through the gate and patted him on the back and headed toward my chickens. I looked behind me and he was digging up dirt and then started to dance around, then he started after me. I jumped through the 4-wire electric fence (I don't keep it on. he likes to lick me and be rubbed all the rest of the time) and pepper sprayed him.
I hate to loose him and would like to find a home for him be don’t think anyone would want him except for butchering and dog food.
I know this is my fault because I baby all my critters
You confirmed what I really knew in the back of my mind. Now I just have to do it
Wish I could send you a picture of him. He is just so sweet most of the time
I’m not crazy, I just love animals
Thank You
Bill
ANSWER: First its not your fault. I'm the founder of the IRSA and talk with people just like you everyday. Loving your animals is not bad. Trying to train them is not bad, and that is exactly what you are trying to do.You are doing all the right things, unfortunately with the wrong animal. 6yrs and tossing dirt is not safe. I wish I could tell you it was or hand you a magic wand to mend your heart. We both know that I can't do that and to tell you what you want to hear would be irresponsible of me. If you want that bond with a bovine I really suggest taking this big boy to sale, taking that money and get a calf from a breeder that will let you meet the cow its from. If the cow comes up to you, is friendly, chances are the calf will be too. At 63 you have many good years left to be active with this calf and really enjoy what he can do. A calf can pull a wagon and help you do chores. He can pull a small cart, do tricks like bow. All these things you can teach him even if you have bad knees or back. After diving through all that wire you sound like your in good shape.*grins* Your safety is my first concern, your happiness my next concern. If you would like help training a new calf I would be more than happy to help you all I can. I wish I could offer more support with Mr. Mean Jeans.
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QUESTION: Would getting a young steer help
Answer Getting a younger steer would help you, yes. You would have time to bond to him, and start to let go of the older one. Again, genetics plays a huge part in this. He is tossing dirt, rubbing his horns on the ground, that is not play behavour. That is agression. I would not keep a younger steer in with him for safty reasons. 1200lbs vs 600 lbs can mean injuries to the younger animal, or prove to your older one how dominate he really is. What getting a younger one would do is allow you to let go of the older, agrresive animal.
My father used to have us kids catch wild rabbits. We had tame ones too. He would say one wild plus one tame equals two wild. Two tame, plus one wild equals 3 tame. There for we always put two tame rabbits in with the wild ones we caught. It seems to work. I have used this with cattle and horses to calm them down when they come in for training. I never except an animal for training that paws the ground. In cattle this is inate, agressive behavour and you can not train it out of them. ( I say that however I know one trainer that did a fair job, however you never could trust the bull compleatly)
I know how hard this is for you. I think if you go to the www.ridingsteers.com message board and hear not what one person has to say, but sevral you may feel better about holding your own saftly dearer to your heart than this steer. I wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but I can't.
