Budding
☆ March 20, 2010
Frisco has Daisy’s smile. He has a coat of velvet. He is living up to his name: Independent. Intelligent. Strong and fun. Horny.
Do you see the tiny horn buds? I always suspected Daisy had horns ~ she has a callus on her forehead that she always wants to scratch, and I’ve wondered if it was the result of an imperfect debudding or removal of horn.
When Frisco was born, I could feel perfectly symmetrical, tiny, bony knobs the size of pencil erasers on his skull under the skin. And I wondered if they would grow…..
Ten days old. Horns not yet showing.
The skull-nubs grew larger, wider, and then, after a few weeks, they emerged and were undeniable horn-buds. Which continue to grow, visibly, every day.
I sat in the straw and debated the horn situation ~ this is a topic on which people seem vehemently opinionated, but I believe a suitable answer depends on the situation. Because Frisco would be castrated; because I hope to train him to be an ox (horns are a boon with the gear, based on what I have read); because animals know themselves: they know how use their natural-born weapons or defenses, and, likewise, they know how curb them to be gentle; and because I have successfully trained Sir Baby, an intact bull, not to headbutt me, I am leaving Frisco with his horns.
I’m quite thrilled about them, really.
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16 Responses to “Budding”
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March 23rd, 2010 @ 6:50 am
Hi Shreve!
Your new site is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your farmily and experiences with us. I love the picture of Frisco, what a sweetie – how could you not be in love with this baby? =D
March 23rd, 2010 @ 6:53 am
We have several baby bulls now. I LOVE, ADORE those little nubbin horns! Soooooo cute!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 7:15 am
Little Frisco looks likes an angel in these pictures! A calf is one of the most adorable things (along with coyote pups =D) on this Earth. I really love the second picture down because of the sweet face he has in it. So cute!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 7:31 am
We also decided to leave horns on Frisco’s niece?? Andi. I have read some about horn weights that you can put on to direct the way they will grow – maybe more curved in rather that pointing out…will have to check them out further…nice to see pictures!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 8:33 am
We had a steer several years ago with a nice set of horns. Our standard gate latch is a chain over a nail. He could open any gate with the tip of a horn and go where he pleased. :)
March 23rd, 2010 @ 8:46 am
So glad that you are NOT going to dehorn!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 8:49 am
When not at work to pay the farm bills I raise scotch Highland Cattle. These shaggy critters are known for their big horns which most breeders leave intact. I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing this is. They are very capable with those horns. They break ice from the water tank in winter, they clean out shrubby junk from their pastures, they break open hay bales, they protect their young from wild dogs and coyotes, and they deftly scratch their own itches. Not to mention these animals are just beautiful. At no time have they ever used their horns against any person.
I congratulate your decision. And I know you will get flack about it.
March 23rd, 2010 @ 9:08 am
Shreve,
As a fellow cattle lover/owner, I share in your wonderment at the birth of these perfect & furry creatures. Wide-eyed, gangly and willing to explore the big ol’ world. Love your new baby and thank you for sharing your very private and heart-felt moments with us.
P.S. Reading Daily Coyote was one of the best times I’ve had this past year!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 10:48 am
frisco is a cutie! i love his touge! its so cool. oh and his horns are cute too!
March 23rd, 2010 @ 10:51 am
Bravo on this new website. I look forward to lots about life-as-she-is-lived-and-practiced-day-in-day-out.
The picture of the underside of Frisco’s triangular tongue is a gem! Really, the things we take for granted and never really LOOK at….
March 24th, 2010 @ 2:22 am
Fantastic shots. Is he…licking inside his nose? Ewz. But also cute.
March 24th, 2010 @ 11:50 am
The one cow who had horns at my grandparent’s farm gored my brother’s pony in a scuffle for hay. The pony died. But that being said, my grandparents didn’t manage their cattle well, and were rather neglectful with their horses in other respects. I would even say I learned from them about mostly what NOT to do in animal care; and I’m often cheered to read about your experiences and how well you treat your livestock and the animal friends you have. :)
March 24th, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
I think those horns are fantastic! What a great site! I love the stamp on the top of the site as well. A nice bookend to give spotlight on your extended farmily.
March 25th, 2010 @ 4:47 am
How are horns helpful for ox harness? I can’t see it.
Horns are beautiful.
April 1st, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I love the nubbies. :) Love the new site! Keep up the good work, Shreve!
December 4th, 2021 @ 3:26 pm
Dear Shreve,
I am a science writer and now writing a book for Springer publisher with a chapter on transgenic animal technologies. In this chapter, I will describe the production of hornless bovine livestock and I need a picture that shows how horn buds looks on the calf’s head. So, I found a nice photo in this your web-site (http://honeyrockdawn.com/2010/03/budding/) and I kindly ask your permission to use this photo in my forthcoming book with credits like this: Fig. 6.17B: photograph of an ordinary calf with horn buds on his head; courtesy of Shreve Stockton.
Please let me know if this is possible,
Best regards,
Vadim