Handling sheep and cattle in confined spaces such as yards can be stressful to animals and handlers. It can also be a high risk environment, that could lead to injury for both animals and handlers.
Members of Kyeamba Valley and Tarcutta Valley Landcare Groups wanted to improve their animal handling skills, so that they were more confident in managing animals in confined spaces.
Our two day workshop combined theory sessions with video demonstrations and practical animal handling in stockyards. The theory sessions discussed the various factors that make up the predator/prey relationship. Participants learnt that fundamental to low stress animal movement is eye to eye contact with the animal’s left eye. The left eye is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain, which is the decision making side. So, after video demonstrations, participants were able to practice more efficient animal movement in yards using their improved knowledge of animal behaviour.
