Livestock Handling Safety and Livestock Livestock Safety With regards to livestock safety, who or what are we trying to protect? Other than hostile animals, what are some possible accidents that could happen when working with or around livestock? Personalization of animals People quickly forget that animals revert to primal, reflex reactions when threatened or under stress. Animals will fiercely defend their food, shelter, territory, and young. Peer Discussion What are some ways that animals can hurt you? Animal handlers must remain in control of potentially dangerous situations and avoid action that make them vulnerable to injury. The better we understand livestock, the less risk of animals harming us or themselves. Peer Discussion What are some signs of danger in animals? Remember: An ounce of prevention Is worth A pound of Cured Bacon Stress Reduction in Animals Animal stress is important in livestock production because stress reduces the animals ability to fight disease and gain weight. It also increases shrink (loss of tissue fluid), damages rumen function, and can interfere with reproduction What is the proper way to approach an animal? When approaching an animal Talk softly to the animal and let them know you are there. Approach the animal slowly. Do not approach the animal directly from behind. Why?????? Panoramic Vision Peer discussion What is panoramic vision? Animals can see all the way around them, except for small blind spots at the nose and in the rear. ** Shadows may appear as holes. Cattle Handling SafetyTJATJA Horse SafetyAJwAJw Horses ground handlingdGvcdGvc Sheep and Cattle Handling Guidelines