Handling Livestock Safely
Working with farm animals can be dangerous. Many animal related injuries are serious and involve considerable loss of time, money, and productivity.
Cattle
Cattle can injure people by kicking, stepping on them, or pinning them against a hard surface. Although cattle generally do not attack people, they can overwhelm you with their size and weight. Consider always leaving yourself a way to get out when working with large animals in a small area. Beware of the area in front of the rear leg. Cattle tend to kick forward then back. Bulls should have special facilities where they are fed, watered, exercised, and used for breeding so that the farmer has little direct contact with them. As with other animals, cows can become dangerous when defending calves.
Milk Cows
Milk cows are generally more nervous than other animals, and they are easily startled, especially by strange noises and persons. Always announce your presence when approaching a cow. Gently touch the animal rather than bumping or shoving it. When moving cows into a constrained space such as a milking parlor stall, give them time to adjust before starting work.
Hogs
Hogs can bite with enough force to cause serious injury, and they pack enough weight to knock people over or cause injury by stepping or laying on them. A sow can become aggressively protective if any of her offspring are hurt or threatened. Veterinary work and treatment of piglets should be done only when they are separated from the sow. When working with hogs, make yourself known quietly and gently to avoid startling them. Do not let small children reach through pens or fences to pet or feed hogs, and do not let them climb into pens or roam around hog lots.
Horses
Horses are useful partners in many range and ranching operations. Unfortunately, many people are injured, or even killed, while riding or tending horses. Here are some basic reminders for horse handling:
- Have good equipment and maintain it.
- Take good care of your horses and respect them.
- Make sure children can ride and handle a horse allowing them to ride a horse.
- Only a skilled rider should mount a temperamental or high-spirited horse.
- Ride with extra care when the terrain is rough or slippery or among trees with low branches.
Tips for Safe Livestock Handling
The following safety measures will prevent many livestock-related farm injuries:
- Use adequate restraining and handling facilities.
- Be calm and deliberate. Speak gently and do not startle animals.
- Leave yourself an "out" when working in close quarters with animals.
- Stay clear of animals that are frightened, hurt, sick, or look suspicious.
- Be alert for sudden movements, kicking, etc.
- Keep floors and ramps of handling operations clean and dry.
- Entrust livestock handling jobs only to persons with adequate strength and experience.
- Never tie a lead line to your body. You could become entangled.
- Restrain known kickers and biters.
- Provide separate facilities for a dairy bull.
- Eliminate sharp edges and projections around livestock equipment and gates.
- Remember: all animals need to be treated with respect. They can all be unpredictable.
Southern Farm Bureau® Casualty Insurance Company offers liability policies that protect you and your business from liability claims. If you own a farm and would like to shield yourself from potential claims, please contact a Farm Bureau agent.