Approaching animals for handling and restraining

General Precautions:
  1. When approaching an animal in a shed, stall, or paddock, always speak to it before touching it.
  2. Approach the anoimal from the left side and handle from the head or near the head (beware of the horns of cattle and buffalo).
  3. It is not advisable to carry a stick, but if one is needed it should be kept out of sight of the animal.
  4. Get some information about the animal from its attendant or owner, e.g. whether the animal is calm or aggressive.
  5. Treat strange animals with suspicion, but try not to let the animal know that you are afraid of it.
  6. The animal should wear a head collar or a halter. If required, use two ropes on the head collar and tie one to each pillar ring. (Two ropes are especially needed when working with stallions or bulls).
  7. Never handle the hind quarters or hind legs without having the animal's head held and a foreleg lifted or restrained.
  8. Take hold of the forelock (in the horse), ear, or nose until a halter has been put on. Do not grasp the nose too tightly, otherwise breathing may be obstructed.
  9. It is important never to make a sudden snatch at the animal's head collar. This alarms the animal and may make it suspcious on future occasions. 
  10. Keep in mind that some animals kick backwards, some forwards, and other laterally with their hind legs. some cattle can kick all three ways.
  11. Bulls, especially over a year old, are often treacherous and should be properly secured before being approached by a stranger. They are usually rung before they are one year old. It is wise not to trust a bull.
  12. When haltering horned animals, it is best to slip the poll-piece of the halter over the horns and ears before adjusting the loop around the nose, so that the animal cannot take the halter off and break loose.