As a veterinary specialist in cattle management and diseases at Massey University’s Equine and Farm Services, she has worked trimming feet and doing other veterinary procedures with most handlers on the New Zealand market.
In this safety-conscious age, more farmers are buying handlers because they make work like trimming feet more comfortable, easier and safer for man and beast. The models aimed at farmers range in price from $3300 to $19,000, with a range of features and options available, so what to look for?
Like any asset purchase, having a clear idea of the intended use is a good start to sorting out the most suitable model.
Is the handler to be used principally for foot work, so access to sides and a solid headbail is less important? Or will it be used also as a vet bail for calving, vet work, tagging, capsuling, and dehorning, where restraint and access to the sides and head of the cow are required?
Up-market versions can be justified with large herds and multiple sites, while entry-level models are more suited to smaller single sites with other vet facilities.
Head bail
Head bails on handlers range from light basic units to automatic models that allow staff to stand back, encouraging cows to walk in. When they enter and head bail themselves there is no risk of them standing on the feet of staff who are pushing them up. They are more likely to enter a wide-opening head bail.
Releasing the cow by opening both sides of the head bail presents her with a wide opening to exit through. Head bails that are hinged only on one side mean the cow must disengage her head from the bail before she can move forward. Some wait for the head bail to swing open, releasing them, while others push forward in the head bail as it opens.
If the handler is to be used for vet and associated work, a good head bail is justified.
Underbelly girth (belly band)
Handlers come with one or two of these, though a second one, just in front of the udder, needn’t be used.
“I’m not convinced that a second belly band is needed,” Mueller said.
“I only want some slight support, so if the cow goes down, there’s not too much strain on the leg that’s tied up. I have seen problems when there’s too much support. It’s uncomfortable around the abdomen, and they let themselves drop down. The rear belly band can be quite uncomfortable if the cow does go down.”
The belly band should be of sufficient width, with a geared, braked winch.
Back leg
For trimming, the rear foot can be suspended by a rope allowing some movement, or winched to fit snugly under a pipe or chain, restricting movement. When trimming with a knife, simple suspension and some movement of the foot is acceptable, allowing the trimmer to manipulate the foot. Restricting foot movement is more critical when a grinder is used, to prevent the foot from vibrating with the grinder’s rotation.
