A Bull Loses Its Horns

Stud breeders like to see their bulls grow up with a healthy pair of strong, well-shaped horns. Theory is that the animals look better in the sale ring.

But to the practical farmer, those same horns could mean injury or death to a man, a horse, or another bull.

So the time arrives when a bull must lose the horns that have been his pride and joy since he was a calf.

On a recent visit to Mr Robin Graham's property at Ormond, "Photo News" recorded the delicate operation in pictures.

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Bull seemed to prefer wide open spaces to bail. But high walls thwarted his attempt to escape.

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Bull sniffs chloroform while saw cuts into horn
An ordinary carpenter's saw is the main surgical instrument (below). But the sawing isn't painful: The bull has been chloroformed.

First step in the operation is to get chloroform mask over ball's nose. Up to 2lb of anaesthetic may be needed to put 1200lb beast off to sleep.

When he starts to get groggy, bull is released from bail into the yard; soon he sinks to ground, helpless as a babe.

Cut is made close to the skull, thus keeping to a minimum any bleeding from an artery near the base of the horn.

Antiseptics are used before and after the operation.

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Before dehorning, bulls seem to sense something is afoot.

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"This nose-bag smells funny....."

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".....think I'd better take a nap."

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Glassy-eyed, bull sinks to ground

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Sawing through horn is tough job

Operation may look simple, but it is really quite delicate, requiring the services of a skilled veterinarian.

Administering the anaesthetic is a tricky business and the correct placing of the cut is vital if the operation is to be a complete success.

Bulls under vet.'s care during operation may be valued up to 300 guineas.

Recovery from the dehorning is surprisingly quick; within minutes bull is walking about in paddock.

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Patient is progressing "as well as can be expected"

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"What hit me?"...Bloody but unbowed, he's still groggy from the effects of chloroform

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Back in the paddock, Hereford in centre seems to look enviously at Aberdeen Angus bull born without heritage of horns.