Posted 2/15/2026 14:34 (#11552482 - in reply to #11552246) Subject: RE: 1,000 ways to die
Eastern NE KS
So nice of a save, 2 beers and a steak dinner for that one.
One of my hardest losses/deaths to stomach was a 250# heifer that traveled down a creek bank for an assumed drink. She got one hind leg caught under an exposed root that crossed her path. There was no way for her to back up the steep decent so she spent time pulling forward trying to free her leg.
I returned to our barn for evening chores and while there could hear a cow bawling for her calf. This is not particularly unusual except it was incessant for the 35 minutes chores required. When done, I chose to go see what was going on. I found the pair 1 mile from the barn and her Mom was freeked. Unfortunately, the calf was big enough I couldn't lift her up off her 'trap'. So I raced back to the barn for a saw to cut the 3" diameter root.
I got her free and up the creek bank but her hind leg was a wreck. She had dislocated her hock and tore all tendons. The only thing holding her lower leg to the upper leg was skin. I saw the calf twist the hock like one wrings out a wash rag or the twists on one end of a small ToosieRoll wrapper.
I left the pair together for the night and to talk to Dad about my next steps. I felt she should be put down but he had more experience than I. I just didn't see 18 months with an open wound below a stump. So that's what we chose to do.
I admit this event toughened me up. She was such a nice developing heifer and a freak event snatched her from us. It is these type of events that makes me try to work on the things I can control. Yet,.....well anyone with livestock knows the rest.
1,000 ways to die
