Dodge City times., 1888-06-21
DISHORNING A BULL.
Tho Only Successful Way of SubduinN
Cruel and Vicious Animals.

OlSnOnNlNo ~ OOLI
Tho Only Successful Way of SubduinN
Cruel and Vicious Animals.
/. T. have a Jersey bull coming two
years.ola, which some times seemed to
>bssGlled with vigor beyond his capacity
s - Conf laining, and while leading him
\ to water he would often act like colt.
>jumping about, and 1 became almost
afraid to walk before him Qhough 1
showed no signs of this to him), and
finally decided to have his horns taken
off before he did any damage.
He was therefore taken to a neighbor
WHO had dishorned twenty-six of his
own herd, and put into stall made of
two-inch plank and Just wide enough
to admit an animal, his shoulders be-
ing even with the front ehd, when a
piece of timber was placed below, an
other above, his neck and against his
shoulders, his head drawn around to
the side and firmly tied; a timber was
also put across the stall under the ami
NAL Just back of his foreiegs, raising
his feet from the floor; the hair was
sheared off closely at the base of the
horn, and with iiHe-toothed meat
marrow blade) the horn was cut off as
near the head as possible, leaving it
like one naturally without horns, which
was perhaps three-eighths of an inch
on the skin. When done, the head was
tied to the other side and the other
lnt &c laf
ings about three-fourths of an inch in
diameter INTO the head and into which
was put very little cotton to keep out
dirt He bled very freely on one side.
but on the other very little, and was
taken home different-looking animal.
After one week matter formed in one
side and forced the cotton out and con-
tinued thus for a week. when it dried
ND, at which time the cotton was taken
from the other side and it also ran a
little, at which l was at first alarmed,
but learned it was necessary to force
out the saw dust which had fallen into
the opening.
Some writers say 1T does not hurt
them but this depends upon what is
meant by '.hurt.' 1t is a painful
operation, and in this ease affected the
animal somewhat for three weeks; but
after dishorning and examining fresh
beef head, | became fully convinced
that no permanent injury could arise
from the operation, if properly cared
for.
l can now lead the bull or enter the
stall with perfect safety, which is a
great satisfaction, and L would not
have the horns replaced if could.
/ have since witnessed the dishorning
of several head, and have even seen
the blood squirt out; but there is no
possible danger of overwhelming, as /
can understand. Some animals began
to eat Immediately after the operation;
but do not think they were in the
mood of eating, AS it was only excite
ment causing the appetite. Several
cows gave smaller flow of milk for one
day after being dishorned, SO the owner
told me, and he weighed the milk; from
which please form your own opinion,
but my observations are that it will
affect their appetites a couple of days,
though cases may differ.
In cutting off the horns. prefer to
have them cut back on the skin SO as
to leave the animal like, or nearly, the
natural hornless ones. which may be
half an inch. though one can tell by
feeling the head, and this does not
cause any more pain, as far as l can
learn, than it would to leave a stub
horn; and though you may look six
inches into their heads after removing
the horns, do not feel alarmed-the
brain is safely inclosed by a bone pro-
tection-but before dishorning, eX-
anime Il head if possible, to learn for
yourself, and you can take off horns
practically as well rs any one, if you
have little nerve.
/ think early in the spring or fall is
the best time for dishorning, there be-
ing no flies or seriously cold weather,
though know of some operated upon
in mid-winter, in this northern region,
that came ont all right. NJ Cutbert-
son, IN Country Gentleman.