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Livestock Handling

Proper Livestock Handling is a critical to keeping livestock and their owners safe. Here's all you need to know about Livestock Handling.

Create a Safe Environment

When you're interacting with livestock, remember that you're working with animals that are much bigger and stronger than you are. The easiest way to prevent an accident while handling large animals is to create a safe environment. Before Livestock Handling, make sure that all obstacles are removed from the area. This includes moving distractions such as people and blowing trash. Check for reflections, sparkling objects and any noisy objects. These objects can startle the animals. Large animals will move independently and erratically if they're afraid.

Also, make sure you lead the livestock to a safe area. Large livestock don’t like walking into dark areas and will steer away, or jeer backwards if they're being led into the dark.

Livestock Handling

When moving large animals, stay out of their blind spot. They may get startled if they see you rear up from the side, which might entice them to kick you. Like humans, large livestock need their space; if you get too close to them, they will let you know.

What to Watch For

When animals appear agitated, back off. Animals show they're agitated when they pull their ears back, raise or flick their tail, paw the ground, bare their teeth or snort.

Animals are not exempt from mob rule and may get out of hand if more than three-quarters of them are smashed in a pen.