OK....if you must do this, then you need to be prepared, completely.
I run cattle and occasionally need to restrain a several hundred lb calf.
Simplest, least expensive solution is to jam it into a very tight space....think parallel or almost parallel panels that can be squeezed together to control body movements side to side. Slide pipe/boards behind animal so it cannot back up. Helps if side panels are made of cattle panels which have squares every 5 inches or so so you have many locations to choose from.
In your case, the animal is sufficiently gentle so you can get it into a confined space and control it. I'd get it into the parallel chute, close off the front (tie panels together, block it in all the way to the front of the chute with boards behind, drop a rope over the horns to assist in head control by wrapping the rope around something and tightening it (this avoids the hand rope burns from trying to just hold on to the rope).
Now, the SECRET...
Use a
nose tong to fully control the head. Put tongs on the nose and bend head back over the shoulder and maintain tension on it.
Animal can't go forward because chute front is closed off.
Animal can't use front feet to hit you because you are shielded by the chute sides. Goats use their front feet as weapons.
Animal can't go back because it is blocked behind the rear legs.
Head can't move because it is bent back over the shoulder and in tension.
You have a back up system because rope is attached to the horns.
Now, do your business.
I have personally used this method to dehorn calves and seen a 2000 lb bull restrained this way as well.
As always when working with animals, start off working as calmly as possible to get the animal into position before starting restraint, then close off front escape route and rear escape route at almost same time. rope horns, then put tongs into nose and restrain head. Feeding the animal for several days in the planned restraint area before performing the operation is a good idea... allows you to fully plan your actions without alarming the animal.
Good luck.... if you don't know what nose tongs are, let me know....after a rope they are the next least expensive, most effective restraint method available.....I don't recommend their constant use, but for rare use to safely restrain an animal for serious work, they cannot be beat.
Bull Lead - 2265208 | Tractor Supply Company
