Faster horses said:The difference between cow mineral and horse mineral, rancher?
Well, cow mineral is for cows and horse mineral is for horses. :wink:
Sorry! Just couldn't resist.
Actually, I am not sure. Will have to go check it out. I do know there is a difference though. But even cow mineral to your horses is better than no mineral as horses do have mineral requirements. People who raise colts really need mineral. Helps with strong joints, etc.
Lots of GOOD info here!Faster horses said:While looking at a new customer's registered Angus herd~we were there looking at potential hoofrot and cows with cracked feet~we came up with a theory as to why cattle get cracks in their toes. Let me run our theory by all of you here and see what you might think.
As far as I know, NO ONE really has the answer for why we see cracks in cows toes. Do you agree that it is usually the front feet and USUALLY THE OUTSIDE TOE?
Yeah, that's what we thought too.
So, there was a young cow there that had frozen her front feet badly as a calf. They knew it, they kept the her and gave her to one of the kids. This (now a two-year old) cow was standing right in front of us with bad cracks in both outside toes. I mused, "maybe it is caused from their feet getting frozen." I pointed to the young cow, "Right there is some evidence."
We mulled it over as a distinct possiblity. And agreed it could, maybe, possibly be from that.
Then the kicker: the cow laid down. When she did, what was exposed to the elements? THE OUTSIDE TOE (coronary band and all) OF THE FRONT FOOT. No kidding. And if she laid on the other side, it would be the outside toe on the other foot. Now one back foot was exposed, but it was mostly the bottom of the hind foot, which would break the icy wind from getting to the flesh.
The coronary band was exposed on the front foot. So we thought about this: The calf is born, and it is cold. Maybe or maybe not her ears got frozen. Now it seems to me that you see way more heifer calves with frozen ears than steer calves; I think more heifers survive the cold. Now if the ears are frozen there is buyer resistance, because they say when put on feed, the feet go to heck. So the flesh gets frozen; not enough to notice much as a calf, but enough to break down the integrity of the hoof; and/or interferes with circulation in that area of the foot.
Okay, now we keep these heifer calves. We don't see anything wrong with their feet until they get a little older and are heavy~from mature weight or with calf~and then a crack will show up in maybe one toe. Could this be a manifestation of what happened to her foot as a baby?
One other thing we considered. When these cows with bad cracks get up after laying down, they will shake or act like that foot is numb. Like possibly there is some poor circulation in that foot.
There you have it. What do you think? Is it a possiblity?
Or do you think cracks in toes are hereditary; or from feed, possibly?
Remember, out here cattle don't get much, if any grain.
Appreciate your comments and input! :idea:
Clarence - are you writing a book on "Poisonous Plants" - - or Horse Urine? Strictly from a Biochemical point of view, either subject would be an interesting study in "Bouquets".Clarence said:Rancher:
Posion Vetch and Princes Plume are selenium accumulaters, that is why they are posionous. I am not sure what other plants that may be too.
Posion Vetch has pale yellow blossoms, I believe this is the plant that they say smells like horse urine. I found some once along Hwy 18 to get a picture for my book, I don't believe it is growing there anymore, was probably sprayed and killed.
I see! :shock:Clarence said:No Doc.
I started to put together an inventory of the plants and grasses that are found in my area. Got rather carried away with the subject. You would be surprised of the things I learned. Anyway now this is something I have to give to my neices and nephews as heritage.
Clarence said:No Doc.
I started to put together an inventory of the plants and grasses that are found in my area. Got rather carried away with the subject. You would be surprised of the things I learned. Anyway now this is something I have to give to my neices and nephews as heritage.
Clarence - I was just kidding! Goofy sense of humor is all. Didn't mean to disparage your work. It sounds as if you could really extend it into a very worthwhile treatise - maybe use it for an advanced degree. Don't laugh! I have seen PhD's get their letters with work that is not nearly as pragmatic as yours seems to be.Clarence said:I am not sure what you are getting at Doc. We have copied and printed about 100 copies of my book with the computer. I have about 6 copies left now. If you think there might be some uswhile purpose, I could send you a copy. Might even be able to get one on a CD. I can't do that though.
It has been suggested that I have it published, but with the very limited market I would have and the cost I will not do that. It has about 450 pages, a few are blank or are only partly filled. May have about 200 pictures. I am not a professional in this field, just put down what I have picked up. Would be the first to admit that somethings may not be right.