Moving 'Em : A Guide to Low Stress Animal Handling (Hardcover)

by Burt Smith (Author) "Think back to the last time you worked stock..." (more)
Key Phrases: outrider position, medial presentation, animal first begins, New Zealand, New World, Big Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Burt's long involvement in grazing management evolved quite naturally to a deep interest in animal behavior, handling and training. That is what this book is about. It is a fascinating compendium of history, communication and biological facts. A real page turning experience. He also deals with, and offers alternatives to, the stresses and reduced performance that we create in our livestock through the tradition of 'cowboying'. Well researched and referenced, I predict that this will be one of those classic texts for the serious stockman as well as the academic community. This is a book which offers insights and solutions for anyone with an interest in animals, whether rancher, veterinarian, pet owner or trainer. Burt has done a great job in maintaining an easy reading style in a scientifically serious book. What an accomplishment." -- Dr. Stan Parsons, Ranch Management Consultants, Inc.

"It has been my belief for a very long time that livestock (animal) handling in grazing units of many types is a profound weak link in overall management of the unit. The information in this book, properly applied, can be a catalyst to provide great improvement in correcting these weak links. There is no doubt that this book will be a very valuable resource world wide wherever animal handling is part of the management." -- R. L. Dalrymple, Agronomist & Special Projects Coordinator, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

"Moving Em" by Burt Smith will do for Stockmanship what Grass Productivity by Andre Voisin did for Grazing; they both are the breakthrough publications that put knowledge of how plants and animals function in a form that all potential graziers and stockpersons may learn and gain ($) from." -- Ben Bartlett, DVM, Grazing Specialist, Michigan State University

Product Description
"Moving 'Em" is the first and only book to deal with the art and science of moving herd animals from one place to another. The author describes low stress herding techniques that will allow animals to be moved calmly and quickly. He also details training methods to move both individuals or large herds using operant conditioning; the application of behavioral modification through positive reinforcement. This book introduces basic handling concepts and includes practice sessions complete with diagrams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 349 pages
• Publisher: Graziers Hui; 1 edition (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966270436
• ISBN-13: 978-0966270433
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #661,609 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget what you think about moving animals and try this out, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

Great book. Much of what is presented is obvious if you think about it, but what is great about the book is the fact that the information makes you think. The process of handling animals is explained in such a way that you can practice skills and techniques and dramatically affect your handling.

I have bison and one day when moving the herd from one pasture to the other, they decided to stop in the path between the pastures. From reading the book, I understood better what was going on. The dominant animals were in the front and those animlas where satisfied with how far into the new pasture they had traveled. The remaining animals would not move forward and for me to apply pressure would have been met with poor results. So, I worked on the lead animlas and in a matter of minutes, the herd was moving again and everyone was though and the gates could be closed.

This is a great book for any owner of livestock, from little to big.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A LOVELY SURPRISE!, August 9, 2007

By	Dr. JL Van VUUREN (south africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

WHAT A LOVELY SURPRISE!WHEN I ORDERED THE BOOK I WAS EXPECTING A HOMILY ON CATTLE HERDING BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I GOT.
I GOT A WELL RESEARCHED, WELL WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BOOK COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF ANIMAL HERDING.THE AUTHOR HAS OBVIOUSLY SPENT AN AWFULL LOT OF TIME WITH ANIMALS WITH A HIGHLY DEVELOPED SENSE OF OBSERVATION AND COMPASSION FOR OUR HAIRY FRIENDS.
HIS EXPLANATIONS OF THE ANIMALS SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS,STRESS LEVELS,SENSES AND ANIMAL BEINGNESS IS PRICELESS.
THE DIAGRAMS ARE WELL PRODUCED AND HIGHLY ENLIGHTENING.ANYTHING YOU WILL EVER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CATTLE MOVEMENT(AND STOPPING) IS COVERED.ABOVE ALL THE AUTHER TEACHES US TO HANDLE ANIMALS WITH RESPECT AND COMPASSION(WE ARE IN THE WRONG MOST OF THE TIME)
THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ANYONE WHO AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR LIVES HAS TO MOVE AN ANIMAL FROM POINT A TO B OR C OR VIA Z AND ELSEWHERE!
THE ADVICE ON "WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG" IS HILARIOUS!
BURT I HOPE MY "SHUFFLE"ON YOUR BOOK DOES IT JUSTICE.

5.0 out of 5 stars Going to change my farming, March 8, 2008

By	Alison Oates - See all my reviews

The very best thing about this book, is that the approach means that I'm less stressed and my children are happier to help me work the cattle. The labour is helpful, but sharing my passion is priceless. This book is interesting and at times you will snigger with laughter. I have been amazed that by "simply" changing my mindset it is possible to handle cattle with far less help. Winter veld fires are a serious problem in our area. Previously I couldn't use portions of the farm in the winter, because I wouldn't be able to remove the cattle in the face of a fire. Now I'm confident that I could call them and have them follow me, if need be. Thanks everso Burt Smith