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Faunsdale, AL | It used to be very common.
Every dairy had a bull or two. There were lots of dairy farms. Most/many cows and bulls had horns. The ranches and beef cattle operations more often than not had horses but they were pretty much superfluous as far as handling cattle on a small dairy farm.
Artificial insemination and frozen semen distribution made the dairy business a lot safer!
Edit.., I’ll add dehorning in here. I am in my 60’s and I don’t quite remember when the last big bull was dehorned here. By the time I can remember, EVERY calf got dehorned though it was only done after frost in the fall and before flies came out in the spring, so some had bigger than small horns by the time they were removed.
When we finally wised up and realized that dehorning could be properly done at a month or two of age, at any time of year, with no scurs growing back, it made a big difference in the attitude of the cattle.
There’s an old expression that describes a soldier having “seen the elephant” meaning they had been in combat. I’ve “seen the bull” or really the body language of the bull when you know your position is untenable. My older brother made a mis-step when he was in that situation and had his leg badly bruised and had infection and abscesses with a long recovery. In my case I was able to leap out of the pen but in my haste I came down across a trough on the other side. Only broke a rib or two! I think I came out far better than he did.
Great grandfather was killed by being kicked by a horse in 1918. I’m sure he was very experienced and used to handling horses, but still got kicked in the head I think. Animals are always a little more unpredictable than machinery. Most accidents we have today can be predicted. Dealing with animals is a little harder to be completely safe, but bulls are in a risk class of their own!
The most subtly dangerous ones I’ve ever seen have been those that were “hand raised” and kept tame as they grew up. The owner/handler seldom makes the mental transition required when the bull matures and becomes territorial.
The bull that gets steamed up in a pen is pretty obvious. The one you have raised and scratched his head all his life can bypass your defenses! Have heard of that resulting in death of owner several times and have dealt with purchased bulls that fit that mold.
Edited by ccjersey 8/31/2024 12:27
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Bull Killed My Uncles Brother in 1925
