Trailering and Traveling

I’d like to admonish us all to be careful and responsible when transporting our cattle to the Gathering, fairs, and events.  Much of the advice below comes from real authority--meaning I learned it the hard way!

 

 Vaccinations, Health Certificates Any cattle that are shipped and that are going to be around other cattle should be vaccinated for BVR (shipping fever) and other diseases common to your region.  Consult your veterinarian.  Vaccinate far enough in advance so immunity is established before your trip.  I’m in Ohio and I use Elite 9 or Triangle 9 and my oxen get annual boosters.  Most states require rabies vaccination.  Get a health certificate from your vet if you are taking them to any event with other cattle.  Do not cross state lines without proper required documentation., including ID on the animal such as ear tag or tattoo. Clear up any ringworm (which is a fungus), lice, mange, other parasites before taking cattle off the farm.  Take them off grass and feed hay for a couple days before transporting to avoid sloppy manure.

Truck and Trailer Be sure your truck’s transmission is heavy duty enough to haul your trailer and team.  One new oxen owner, now newsletter editor, learned this the hard  and expensive way on her first trip to a MODA Gathering!  A truck transmission was my burnt offering tothe  ox events gods.

Check your truck and trailer before heading out.  Check tire air pressure--remember to check the spare too-- and fluid levels. Test trailer brakes at start of each trip.  Pack those trailer axles with grease annually (another lesson burned into my memory on a later trip to a MODA Gathering!) Check trailer lights before leaving home.  Have a spare tire. Bring some emergency items such as a knife, first aid supplies, have a bucket and water. Have an extra lead or rope halter.

Always check that trailer doors are securely closed, before departure.  Check your hitch and safety chains.

Insurance   Take insurance info with you, for truck, trailer, and cattle.

Cattle Comfort If you need to tie cattle in the trailer to prevent fights,  learn to tie a safety (quick release) knot.  Don’t leave the tether so long they can get a leg hung up over it, or so short they can’t get up if they slip.  Kendy Sawyer uses a system of slipping a lead through an eye bolt and weighting the end with a weight, such as a half gallon jug of water, so the cattle and stand up or lie down without slack in the lead.  Many cattle prefer to ride facing backwards.  I put one of mine facing forward and the other backward so they aren’t clacking horns.  Take them off grass and feed hay for a couple days before transporting to avoid sloppy manure.   Check trailer interior for bolt ends, sharp protrusions, or loose flapping wires or ropes, or unsecured cargo, that could injure cattle.  Be sure there are no weak or rotten floorboards or rotten floor supports.  As member Rick Lunceford said, he doesn’t want any “oxidents” on a trip, so he reinforced the floor with plywood which also helps to distribute the weight more evenly.   I’ve heard that trailer floors with boards running from front to back are “better” than boards running side to side, because an animal standing inside will likely have both front and/or both rear legs upon one side-to-side board, which is a lot of stress.  My trailer is side-to-side but I check it often, and I put rubber mats over when using it to spread the weight a bit.  Manure and urine-wet floors can be quite slick, so grit or sand or enough bedding to give hooves a grip is advised.

I always stop at a safe turnoff after about twenty minutes, to check that the cattle are OK, that trailers hubs are not hot, that brakes aren't smoking, etc.  Last year we did a safety check 45 minutes into the trip and found a trailer tire just ready to blow out.  Thank God we were at a rest area and could get a new tire put on.

Biosecurity You may want to take measures to minimize your cattle’s exposure to diseases from other cattle at events and to prevent bringing home diseases on your tires or boots.  If you have other cattle, quarantine your oxen for a time after returning home.

These points probably seem obvious to experienced folks, but may be entirely new to someone just starting.  I remember my first year, when, as if learning to keep and train calves wasn’t challenging enough, I had to find out about all these issues, too. Think ahead, think through, prepare, and have a checklist so you can enjoy your trip with your oxen and be safe.      —Vicki Solomon