Bull with a ring: why insert

A bull with a ring in his nose is a fairly common phenomenon and is not considered something out of the ordinary. The image of the animal is now practically inseparable from the ring threaded through the nasal septum, however, the origins of this feature of keeping bulls remain unknown to many. Few people think about why a bull has a nose ring. The answer to this question is simple – the ring makes it easier to control these wayward animals.

Why does a bull have a nose ring?

The bull is an animal of large size and a sharp disposition. It is difficult to get obedience from them, which leaves its mark on how the bulls are kept on the farm. As a rule, they are located separately from the herd and are not walked along with the cows, since bulls are difficult to calm down if they suddenly start to become stubborn or show aggression. Ultimately, other animals and the person himself may suffer if possible measures of influence on the angry bull are not provided.

Moreover, sometimes the animal needs to be securely fixed in place for inspection or any other manipulations. For this, you need a ring in the nose of a bull.

In most cases, the animal can be pacified only with the help of a pain syndrome. This requires exposure to the sensitive areas of the bull, which include:

• ears;
• eyes;
• nose.

In these places, cattle have zones with a low pain threshold. Thus, the tension of the ring, passed through the sensitive nasal septum, forces the animal to follow in the indicated direction, greatly facilitating control over it and reducing the risk of injury to others.

Not only adults, but also calves pass through the piercing. The only difference is that the cubs do not need special control. In this case, the procedure is necessary in order to wean the young from the mother. The fact is that the calves are inserted into the nose of a ring equipped with spikes directed outward. When a young bull presses its nose against the udder, the contact causes pain to the cow, causing her to push her young away from her. When the calf is out of the habit of expressing milk, the ring is removed from the nose.

The piercing procedure is carried out primarily on breeding animals with an absurd character, which cannot be controlled in other ways. Calm, balanced bulls usually avoid this procedure.

How is the piercing procedure performed?

The optimal age for piercing the nasal septum is 7-10 months. Ringing can be carried out by both a veterinarian and a person without special medical knowledge with proper study of the instructions.

The ring for cattle is chosen strong, reliable. Its surface should be smooth, without any protrusions and irregularities. The recommended cross section is 1 cm, the material is stainless steel.

The ringing procedure is as follows:

1. The bull is fixed in place with ropes, paying special attention to the position of the head.
2. Then the male is injected into the jugular vein “Xylazine”, not more than 0,5 ml. This drug reduces motor activity and facilitates the operation.
3. The next step is to clean the nasal cavity of the bull from secretions. To do this, use a cotton swab.
4. An injection of novocaine (2%) is made into the nasal septum.
5. The sharp end of the ring, previously disinfected, pierces the nasal septum, clamps it with forceps and snaps a special lock.
6. After that, you can carry out additional disinfection of the wound.
7. As soon as the animal recovers from anesthesia, it is injected with painkillers. For these purposes, the drug “Meloxicam” is suitable. Repeated anesthesia is carried out again 10-12 hours after the banding procedure.

After the operation, the bull is left alone for 10-15 days. During this time, the wound is not touched, but regularly examined. If necessary, if the puncture begins to become inflamed, it is disinfected several more times. When the wound heals, the bull is gradually led by the ring. For convenience, it is slightly raised, fastening with a belt on the horns. So, it will not interfere with the animal. The pressure on the ring is made by means of a special stick-carrier, which ends with a hook. Before taking the bull out of the stall for a walk or examination at the veterinarian, it is hooked with a carrier stick for the ring. Only when the animal is under reliable control can it be taken outside.

Despite the apparent simplicity of banding, it is recommended that this procedure be performed by a veterinarian. There are several reasons for this:

1. A person without experience can accidentally damage the nasal septum. As a result, inflammatory processes and tissue decay can begin if the damage is not treated in time.
2. An inaccurate movement can cause unnecessary pain to the bull, which will cause a completely natural reaction – the animal will begin to resist and, most likely, inflict injuries on others.
3. The bull remembers some colors well. In particular, he will remember how the person performing the operation was dressed, and in the future he can react aggressively to the approach of the owner in clothes of a similar color. Therefore, it is better to entrust the piercing to a person who does not contact the male on an ongoing basis.

You can learn more about why a bull has a nose ring in the video below:

Conclusion

A bull with a nose ring is a common sight on the farm. To an uninitiated person, such a “piercing” may seem inhumane, however, this is one of the few ways in which an animal can be forced to obey. Without a ring through the nasal septum, it is impossible to transfer the bull to another room for examination by a specialist or send him for transportation. Screams and violence will only anger the male even more, which can lead to injury to accompanying personnel. Minor pain from the tension of the ring forces the bull to submit and follow the man.