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  Discussion on Cattle and horse together?
Author Message
Member:
Arvane

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 2:25 pm:

Hello all,
I would like to move my horse for the summer, to a pasture with cattle. My first question is: Is there any article on this subject, here on the Horseman's Advisor? From other postings, I know about the risks of rumensin, so I plan to research what the cattle are getting fed before moving the horse. There must be a lot of other things to be aware of for this kind of arrangement, does anyone have any experience with horses and cows together? There haven't been cows on the property for at least six months, so the grass is pretty long. I'm hoping the new cattle will have time to graze for a few weeks before I move the horse in with them.

Any information is very appreciated!
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 3:11 pm:

All you might have to worry about is if the horse chases the cattle. Some like to do that. EO
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 3:22 pm:

I was told once that you should have a pasture between cattle and horse because of the flies and ticks. Don't know how true this is as my horses have been pastured with cows in the past and never had any problems.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 3:30 pm:

Only once did I have a horse of mine in the same pasture with some cows. She developed what we always called "blow flies" when we were kids. The maggot/worm caused a lump near her backbone, and when I picked off the top of the lump, the creature gushed out . . . leaving quite a hole in the mare's back. I have often had horses pastured near cattle, even in adjoining pastures, with no problems.
Member:
Annes

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 5:24 pm:

Growing up my father would never let me have a horse with his cows because the horse might accidentally kick or run over a calf. Cows were income and I understood. My main hesitation now would be the issue of more flies. Plus I clean up enough horse manure from the barn and barn yard and would not want cows in the barn. At feeding time wouldn't it be hard to bring the horses in without letting the cows in too? I will add that I have been warned about riding a horse too close to a nursing calf. The calf can get confused and try to go up under the horse to "nurse". This will really freak out a horse and can be really dangerous. I am always careful when I ride through cattle. - Ann
Member:
Bonita

Posted on Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 - 5:46 pm:

I once boarded my horse at a place that turned him out with a group of young cattle. Within a couple of weeks though, they had to move him to his own field, since (as someone else here mentioned) he spent his days "herding" the group, as well as effectively keeping them away from what he considered "his" round bale.

The barn owners took the situation very well - as did I - saying that while they appreciated my guy enjoying the company, they had a hard time justifying their cattle "losing weight" instead of gaining it for market - lol!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 - 6:06 am:

What Holly refers to as a "blow fly" is more commonly referred to as a warble (Hypoderma specie). Cattle and horses dewormed with ivermectin should not have a problem with them. Other than that the posts cover the most common issues encountered with ionophore growth promoters in cattle feed (rumensin and others)being the most important.
DrO
Member:
Tangoh

Posted on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 - 9:55 am:

If your horses won't chase the weight ($$) off the cattle, in my opinion there's no harm in it. It's very common in this part of the country to run them together.

That said, I did have a thoroughbred mare as a kid who used to grab newborn calves by the scruff of the neck and shake them til they were dead.
Member:
Canter

Posted on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 - 2:02 pm:

One other thought: Are you sure your horse isn't afraid of cattle? I had a TB gelding who was as calm as any horse, nearly bomb-proof,very well behaved. But, he was absolutely terrified of the cows that lived across the street from where I would sometimes ride to get him out of an arena. I never saw him panic like he did that first time he saw those cows. It took me months of hand walking near the cows before I tried it again seated in the saddle. To make matters worse, the darn cows got a thrill of rushing their fence line every time a horse was in the area. In a way it was funny (sadistic beasts!), but I was scared to death that first time.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Saturday, Mar 20, 2004 - 10:22 am:

It's quite often done here. It's less of a problem if you have several horses in with the cattle as each species tends to keep to itself but the cattle clean up the pasture patches the horses don't like. However cattle sometimes like to chew horse's tails so if you are into showing think about that.

I am not a believer in the "horses are afraid of cattle" stuff. I think if you make them get on with it, they do, including hacking out past young bullocks etc. who rush the fenceline. They might be jumpy the first couple of times but they get used to it. Ditto sheep, goats, geese, pheasants etc. - there are also peacocks and an American turkey on my usual ride outs.

The only farm animals I have found horses really seem to object to strongly are pigs which seems to be due to the smell - as in they sometimes freak even if they can't actually see the pigs. Again, you just have to get them used to it by repeated exposure.

All the best

Imogen
Member:
Christos

Posted on Saturday, Mar 20, 2004 - 3:50 pm:

Imogen,
We have some pigs in the paddock, and the horses couldn't care less. They never play with them, however.
It is a totally different story with our horses and cattle, especially with calves that are a bit more athletic. We have three calves that jump 1,10m easily, and the horses really enjoy playing with them over obstacles.
The most outrageous animal in the gang is a sheep, a male one, that clears 1,50m, oh so easily. He makes you want to cry sometimes...
Member:
Gr82bme

Posted on Saturday, Mar 20, 2004 - 9:35 pm:

Dr. O
I was offered another barn manager position. This man is changing his barn from beef cattle to a horse boarding stable. Is there anything we need to do to the barn or feilds before we move in horses? The cattle are still there until he sales them so all their manure would be fresh??? The horses won't be added until all cattle are sold. This will be his first time at boarding & I would like to hear any hints or ideas for him. Can you or anyone else here think of anything I maybe overlooking in either area? Thanks in advance for the help.
Debby
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Mar 21, 2004 - 8:51 am:

I would review the articles on housing and fences and compare it with what you have Debbie. I would be sure there is no old feed or hay lying around and drag the pastures really well to spread the manure. This will help lessen the fly problem this year.
DrO
Member:
Arvane

Posted on Monday, Mar 22, 2004 - 1:36 pm:

Thank you all for your replies - doesn't sound like there are any major issues except for the feed supplements. Fran, I am not at all sure that my TB will be "cool" with the cattle, but I guess I'll figure it out very soon...
Thanks!
Member:
Gr82bme

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 - 9:15 am:

Dr O
Thank you once again for your help. i have yet to go look the place over. I know I need to make sure there is no barb wire fencing. I am waiting to see what the guy has in mind & what he is willing to spend to get it in shape. Thanks fot the great site too.
Debby
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