I love talking about mini Highlands because they have been such an important part of our lives for the last 12+ years.

We started in 1990 with regular size Highlands to keep the blackberries and other invasive weeds (Scotch Broom, etc.) in check.  We had never had cattle and responded to an ad in a newspaper that simply read "Blackberry eating beef for sale".  We found out how hearty they were and decided to buy all six.  That they were Highlands was incidental to us because we did not know a steer from a heifer from a cow, etc., but we loved their appearance.

I can't think of a better breed to start with than Highland Cattle, because they have such heartiness and fewer birthing problems.  They have been bred to be hearty and survivors in inclement conditions.

Our focus changed to minis early on.  We showed these cattle with our kids (10 to 12 years old at the time) as part of their personal development.  The kids spent the first part of their summer taming the new calves down for showing in late summer.

The important thing about "tame" cattle is to always remember that they don't think like you and that they out weigh you considerably and when a cow is in season, the bulls are randy.  Cows with new calves can also be tricky.

Having said that, I would say that their disposition is not USUALLY flighty or aggressive (but like people, some are).  I had a bull that was raised by a 10 year old girl and he used to follow me like a puppy, but I always tried to make sure I could see him.  He was such a great guy we could even ride him.  But don’t let that mislead you.  Only you can make a determination, and that must be over a period of time.  Also, just like kids, as they grow older their personalities and interests change.  Your buddy the bull may see you in a different light if he thinks you might get in his way when the heifers are batting those huge eyelashes.

These animals play, and believe me, they can play rough with each other and that could follow with people.  I think all cattle breeders would have stories about aggressive or excited animals.  We have had 3 or 5 aggressive animals, out of 150 or so, that have been ours during the years.  They go in the freezer unless there was extenuating circumstances.

So, are they friendly?  If you spend time with them, they will be dependent upon you and will usually like your company (especially if a reward is there).  I feed 40 of them in the pasture in the evening and they all have horns.  I have my head down cutting strings and they never bother me.  They are usually doing a little pushing and shoving with each other, so I remain aware of where they are.  I just love being around them because they are ancient.  It is a privilege to be in the pasture with them at sunset.  They really get frisky at twilight!  They butt heads and chase and frolic (not all, but some).  They are very social amongst themselves.

Bottle fed babies are the easiest to tame.  The older they get, the more difficult it becomes.  However, most can be approached over time and treats get their attention.  I know of a 10 year old girl who made a strong friendship with her bull calf with little powered doughnuts (some vet somewhere is going to email me a missile on that one) and he stayed that way for the 3 or 4 years I had him.  We typically feed our cattle inexpensive cow hay, but I always keep a few bags of “Cob with Molasses” around to get their attention.  I can move my herd a half a mile just following my ATV with some hay and treats in it – much easier than trying to “drive” them in a direction.

When they are eating, I try to touch them, usually around their tail head for starters and then work down the back of their leg.  That is how a pro showed me how to do it.  When we show them, we scratch their tummies, with a hooked show stick, to make them relax (works with me, too!)

Most people just want to go right for that cute face and Highlands don't like that, especially with strangers.  We had a 2 year old bull in a pen and I just put my hand toward his face to see what he would do.  He shook his horns at me a bit.  Then he shook his horns at me more and the third time he popped my hand up, but not hard.  We were communicating.  My experience is that you can learn the signals about when they feel threatened, and then respect those signals.  Usually they will shake their head if they want you to back off.  Back off a bit and that may solve the problem.

After you have their trust, some will let you scratch them behind their horns.  I've never had problems, but my wife was chased off once and my son was sent under the fence by a cranky old cow with a new calf.

These small Highland Cattle are closer to a human’s size and seem to me to be less aggressive.  They are definitely much easier to handle when we medicate and measure twice a year, when things can get a bit dicey.  If you only have a few animals to inoculate and/or medicate, etc., you can snub them up in a corner with a halter or horn rope and give them any necessary shots in the fore shoulder area (or have the vet do it!).  You can immobilize the kicking by tying a hoof back.  One time, to get a new calf started nursing, we tied mom at the head and then around her midriff to the fence and then let the confused little guy and nervous first mom bond in safe circumstances.

Processing our herd of 40 or 50 animals takes two people most of the day and then we have to post all the records, etc.  When many cattle are being processed there can be some loud bellowing and shoving from fear of the unknown, and that puts the others on edge.  It is a time to always be careful: don’t reach in quickly; don’t get close to the back end if possible; remember that they can often kick faster than you can react (they can kick to the side and when the kick to the rear, they can kick just about as high as their back);  don’t lean over their head;  don’t hesitate to use additional ties, etc. to keep you both safe. 

With some exceptions, running after cattle on foot is a great way to get exercise, but not to get them to do what you want.  Those pokey, hairy old critters can turn electric in an instant.  I think that sometimes they like to play “chase” and they can just about always win.  In general, if you can walk behind, and few feet to one side of a cow, you will be in her blind spot and she will move away from you.  As you switch sides, she will turn in the opposite direction.  For excellent advice on handling animals, check out Dr. Temple Grandin’s website at http://www.grandin.com/index.html (also one of our “favorites” on our main page.  Temple really knows cow think!

I am not a schooled professional when it comes to livestock, but I have personally not had anything more serious than one bruise.  It might stem from my viewpoint of the intelligence of cattle.  I don’t glorify them, but I admire their intelligence and realize that they think in a very different way.  They are not dumb.  Respect, awareness, treating them well and letting them know who the boss is, works in the long run.  But you never know.  You and I have bad days and so do they.