Itty Bitty Hooves

Safety First

Working with large animals like horses, goats, sheep, pigs and cows over the years I’ve learned that farming can be dangerous. It takes specific safety equipment as much as any construction or factory worker would. While the types of safety equipment are different not paying attention to their need can land a farmer in trouble faster than a charging bull. My most important type of safety equipment is something many don’t think of when working around animals but I’ve found after many broken pair that safety glasses that are hard to break, shatter or crush are vital. Most farmers working around cattle know there is a need for safety vests, especially when working with the horned breeds, and the same is true of goats and sheep when left horned. Just because your animals are gentle and tame doesn’t mean you don’t need them either. Even the gentlest animal with a set of horns can do excruciatingly painful damage with a careless twist of their heads. I have the ripped clothing and a few scars to prove it. Always exercise caution when dealing with large animals whether they’re pets or not.