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  Discussion on Grazing Horses and Calves Together
Author Message
Member:
Bucky

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 - 4:34 pm:

I am trying to graze 2 bum calves with an old gelding and a 6 yr old mare. The mare keeps running them around and chasing them into a corner. She is a cow horse but how do I get her to have manners at the pasture table?
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 - 4:47 pm:

Sorry, Mandy, can't help with the your cow horse problem, but not being a cow person, what is a "bum" calf?
Member:
Bucky

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 - 5:28 pm:

A bum calf is an orphan calf. I raised them both with bottles and they are about 4 months old. The mother of one died and the other calf had a mean mother-kicked her calf and would not let her eat. It really is kind of a negative term if you think about it I guess!
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005 - 6:19 pm:

Thanks for the explanation. Just goes to show you learn something new every day!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 - 6:13 am:

Mandy can you give us more information about the situation, particularly size and condition of pasture and feeding situation?
DrO
Member:
Bucky

Posted on Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 - 10:59 am:

My pasture is about a 4.5 to 5 acre rectangle. It is over-grazed in spots and up to my knees in others where my horses won't eat the grass. Since it is fall and the grass is starting to turn brown I don't think there is much nutritional value left in it. I am feeding my horses hay in a steel feeder I have in the middle of the pasture a.m. and p.m. I would like to let the calves out with them because they will eat the tall grass the horses won't eat and I have heard it is also good for parasite control because cattle break the equine worm life cycle. I let them out by themselves and put the horses in the coral but I would like to leave them all out there together for a little while. I think it would be good for my young horse to learn to get along.
Member:
Sully

Posted on Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 - 11:38 am:

Hello Mandy

Don't think I can offer a solution to your question. My uncle keeps cattle and has run them together. I have also heard him say that some horses cannot go in with them because they mess with the cattle by pushing them around..like your sitution...almost like its a game they play. BUT you mention also that it works as a parasite control. Dr O is that true? I too am thinking of getting 10 or so cows and would be alternating the pastures used. I knew the thing about eating where horses won't and vise versa, but not the worm control. Peaks my interest!

Hope you find a solution Mandy.

Nancy
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Oct 20, 2005 - 8:00 pm:

Hi Mandy,

If there is something that you can feed together such as a grain product, I would put that out in a feeder pan. Let your mare know what it is, then feed the calves. Have her on a halter with a long lead rope and make her pay attention to you. Have her circle you, back, face you etc. Anytime she shows aggression, put her back to work. When she acts nice with her ears forward, let her have some grain with the calves. Or whatever it is you are feeding, sorry I don't know much about your "bums". What you want to do is make her work when she's aggressive, and let her relax and eat when she's not. With patience she should eat right along side them.

You don't need to punish her, just redirect her. She sounds like she is doing what she thinks is her job, along with protecting her food. But aggressive behavior is not what you want in this case.

I also heard that grazing cattle and horses together is good for parasite control and that they eat different plants. I'd love to put a calf or 2 in with my herd!!! I have one mare who would be like yours, and 2 that would play, one would be terrified. It would certainly be interesting to watch for the 1st few days.

Good luck, let us know if you find a solution.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 21, 2005 - 7:28 am:

The cows are only effective as parasite control if they are allowed to graze the grass down close to the ground, which sort of defeats the purpose for having good pasture. Perhaps in a rotational system where cows are allowed to graze, the pasture to recover, then horses put back on it might result in a viable parasite control system.
DrO
Member:
Bucky

Posted on Sunday, Jun 4, 2006 - 5:46 pm:

I have found out that if I put my horse in with the calves by herself, she will leave them alone. Kind of interesting. Just thought I would follow up.
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