Training Jersey Heifer's Horns?

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Hi everyone!
I have a Jersey Heifer, that we have allowed her to keep her horns. She possibly could have other dairy in her, which might interfere with how we want them to grow. (Like Jerseys) I'm wanting them to grow kind of curved out, then in, like a typical Jersey. But, I'm thinking the chances of that happening on their own are slim. I've looked everywhere on the web about training them, but haven't found much of anything. I saw weights, but am thinking they are for pulling the horns down. So if anybody has advice, or does this themselves, my ears are open! Thanks!

 

[Abriana]

Cute heifer!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Cute heifer!

Thanks!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

........

 

[cassie]

Training horns used to be very common, but nobody seems to do it any more. I would suggest you go onto eBay and see if you can find some old books on cattle management.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Training horns used to be very common, but nobody seems to do it any more. I would suggest you go onto eBay and see if you can find some old books on cattle management.

Today, we went to a dairy supply store, and the guy there used to train horns all the time! So he gave us a weight, and we are going to drill little holes through the tips of her horns, then put wire through, and attach the weight in between. So it will kid of gently pull her horns inward, as well, as down a bit. Thanks for replying!

 

[res]

If that idea doesn't work, you should be able to find horn weights online that are two "halves" that clamp down onto the horn using screws (identical to a replacement end for a garden hose) and they have spikes on the inside to keep them from slipping off the horn. You do need to know the diameter of the horn where you plan to place them, as they are sold both by weight and horn diameter.

What you are after looks like this, I found tons just by searching "cattle horn weights".
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...rning (6720) v2 PLA&utm_term=4585375805162993

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If that idea doesn't work, you should be able to find horn weights online that are two "halves" that clamp down onto the horn using screws (identical to a replacement end for a garden hose) and they have spikes on the inside to keep them from slipping off the horn. You do need to know the diameter of the horn where you plan to place them, as they are sold both by weight and horn diameter.

What you are after looks like this, I found tons just by searching "cattle horn weights".
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e0768e-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&sfb=1&itemguid=3269dfa1-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&utm_content=17169&ccd=IBSF0001&utm_source=BingAds&utm_medium=shopping&CAWELAID=120295250000213766&CATARGETID=120295250000501790&CADEVICE=c&msclkid=74bc1cd6a28d155ae2b4469bf429e7ab&utm_campaign=F Cat Livestock Equip Supp (6000) Dehorning (6720) v2 PLA&utm_term=4585375805162993

Thank you so much!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Having been gored in the back by a steer with horns as a kid I have no clue why anyone would want to keep horns on a cow. They can cause lots of damage to people and other animals even while playing. I have seen them puncture each other, and cause big gashes.

Most horns will grow forward and curve as they grow with little encouragement. I would be careful drilling holes through them as there's a living core in them which will bleed profusely. She's too young yet for any manipulation anyways. I would wait another year or two and see how they grow before doing stuff that will be uncomfortable to her.

 

[ocap]

I have posted a link of a guy that learned how to "do" oxen and train others in the Peace Corp. He knows a lot and might be your source for horn "training" since the oxen he uses must have horns to keep the yoke on when going down hill.
http://www.tillersinternational.org/