Every day we are learning by doing. This morning my lesson was to not put my finger into the calf's mouth and pretend that I was a teat by wiggling my finger around. I was trying to encourage Nimai to suck on the bottle. We had to take the two calves off of their mother Saci because their teeth are so sharp that while suckling they had severely injured three of her four teats.
We also had no idea how to train the little steers but we tried anyways. Fortunately Michele Moses came along and with her years of horse training she was able to help us along by teaching us how to be firm but loving with the teams.
Gord built a light weight yoke out of PVC pipe. It did the job for the babies but we will have to get proper equipment when they get a little older.
Gord and Michele even managed to harness the two year old steer. That was quite funny...not for them..but for myself:) You can just imagine what it feels like to have a pair of horns just inches away from your behind as you are walking an untrained huge animal around the ring. He doesn't have to listen to you. He is just hoping to get a carrot at the end of his humiliating experience.
Here is a little video of our attempt to teach the babies to walk with the yoke.
Hare Krsna.
Kokum Lal
Hello dears...thank you for the facinating experience. The calves trained us as much as we trained them. Their willingness really reminds that we're all in this together. Its HOT up here in Quebec. Hard to believe in PEI we were still in winter coats . Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteBest from your "last volunteer"...Michele
PS Money raising? Gord being coerced around the ring by a 2 year old steer is definately material for a comedy special.
I know...I could kick myself for not bringing my camera and getting a video of that little adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe calves are doing great and are Gee and Hawing like nobodies business.
Also the car is still dead:( You should see what was in the oil pan...thick goop!