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Post by Toby Benoit on Jun 2, 2006 15:54:32 GMT 12.75
I just read in another thread that you fractured your spine. Yikes!
Be careful with that back and do what the doctor says, even if most of them are quacks. It might be the one time in a hundred that he's right. Rest and take care of yourself.
I hope you're feeling better soon!
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Post by Brikatw on Jun 3, 2006 7:55:58 GMT 12.75
Right along with Toby, Take your time and get well. You know that your in our prayers daily and will continue to be always. Rest and get better my friend. God Bless
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Post by Bro. Freddie on Jun 3, 2006 9:06:56 GMT 12.75
What they said goes the same from me
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Post by Paws on Jun 3, 2006 10:03:09 GMT 12.75
Me too Othmar!
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Post by OLKoot on Jun 3, 2006 13:20:10 GMT 12.75
WOW!!!!!! been off the board for a couple of days and yah get into trouble....Good luck Othmar and get better ASAP.....
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Post by Mars on Jun 3, 2006 21:15:47 GMT 12.75
He cut himself awhile back and now he done "broke" his back! Sure glad your way up north during the hunting season! Your to accident prone to let get to close. ;D Just kidding. Take care and get well soon!
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Post by Kirbyhill on Jun 3, 2006 23:57:03 GMT 12.75
Sorry to hear the news, Othmar! Get well soon as hunting season is getting closer!...Bill
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Post by brittonfaith on Jun 4, 2006 8:41:02 GMT 12.75
OUCH!! OUCH!! OUCH!! YOWWW!!! That makes my back hurt just thinking about it!! Take care of yourself and, YES - Do what the docs tell you to do.
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Post by othmar on Jun 4, 2006 14:02:11 GMT 12.75
I am accident prone ? Only if I am surrounded by a mental case. People that want to be helpful but have no clue what they are doing and if told what to do, do exactly the opposite. Rule # 1. Never go with a bloody apron and boots from the kill floor into the livestock barn. Especially not when there are fully grown mature old breeding bulls lined up on the runway. Rule # 2. Never open any gates until you are told to open the gates to the run way or the stalls. Rule # 3. Never shout, cuss or beat on critters, it upsets them and they get ornery. The rules have been broken just in that moment when I happily went about to shift said bulls around and line them up to be turned into steaks. Some of the bulls where not cooperating well. No big deal, a little patience is all that is needed usually to make them see it your way. But one of the kill floor workers thought I need his "expert" help and before I knew what was going on, here he was with bloody apron, shouting at the top of his lungs at the critters and then opening exactly that section door of the chute where I was standing in. The next thing I knew was seeing a very upset brangus bull shooting down the runway followed by six other bulls. There was nowhere to go, the side walls are to high and by the time I would have climbed up the wall I would have been to late. All I could try was to run ahead to the next section and close the gate behind me. But I was to late for one spit second. Before the gate snapped shut the bull pushed it open with his head gate came flying toward me with lightening speed. I was trapped between gate and chute wall. This possibly saved me from being trampled to death but as each bull crushed trough the gate it got slammed into my back. Each push felt like someone was hitting me with a sledge in the back. I walked like a zombie up the chute behind the bulls and shut the last gate. Behind me I heard the worker, "See Othmar that is how it is done. Now the bulls are lined up." I thought to myself, "Wait until I am out of here and I will line you up too." In agony and catching my breath I stood on the kill floor while my eyes where searching for a big stout stick. Fellow butchers asked or I am alright, which I was not sensing the pain in my back. But I did find a broom and asked the culprit to be so kind and bring me that broom. I broke the broom over his thick skull and then in my best Donald Trump imitation said, "You are fired!" The x-ray revealed a hairline fracture in my spinal column. But more painful than that is the heavy bruising. One look in my wifes eyes told me it must look horrible. She tells me it's in all shades of blue, black, red and green. Yesterday the doctor trained some blood and liquid and with that a lot of the pain and tension went out too. There is still a lot of bruising and swelling. Yesterday afternoon I went back to work to have coffee with the workers and share a birthday cake. A tradition of ours is to donate a birthday cake for every worker which then is divided to all of them. I also wrote a big note with all the livestock barn rules and added at the bottom. "Any person violating the above rules will be fired whiteout further notice." Heidi, my dear beloved wife, best friend and partner, spoils me rotten while I sit mostly useless around. I am so bored and can't sleep that I read the DaVinci Code in two days. I look forward to go soon back to work, as this is what I like most besides hunting, fishing and be close to my wife. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the well wishes, even my wife is very touched by it and meant "What a nice bunch of folks these are on this forum." I only can agree whole hearted with that statement.
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Post by Paws on Jun 4, 2006 15:18:20 GMT 12.75
So sorry to hear of your mishap. The work place can be dangerous and I imagine yours is plumb full of hazards. Remember when you do your hiring Othmar that very few prospects have had the advantage of the internship that you went through. Expect that training everyone from the ground up is an absolute must even when their records reflect experience. The reason is of course that they may simply have never learned the right way and often worse they may have learned the wrong way. Get well my friend and give that back all the rest you can. Deep bruises take a while and yours are going to be very painful. Of course when they start healing up you have to contend with the contractions and spasms which are very tireing too.
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Post by brittonfaith on Jun 5, 2006 3:27:41 GMT 12.75
Othmar, you may not be accident prone, but you are so lucky!! As I read your account, goose bumps raised up all over me. I used to work the alleys at the stock yards (when I was younger, thinner, crazier, and quicker on my feet) and have witnessed several occasions just as the one you were in. The Lord was definitely with you that day!!!
We often under estimate how an animal will react to our actions. Our local veterinarian, a close family friend, was killed this past winter doing something as simple as using a nose lead to immobilize a cow. He had over 30 years of experience and had probably done this a million times. He was so comfortable with the technique that he seldom used a squeeze chute or vet table. This time, however, didn't go as usual. As he was pulling the animal's head forward and upward with a rope over a timber beam, the cow jerked back and pulled his short stocky body up into the beam. The farmer got him down quickly and Fred managed to get to his feet and indicated that he was OK just before he collapsed to his death. It was later found that he had suffered several broken ribs, punctured both lungs and had a lacerated aorta. It's definitely made me think twice about how I go about using a nose lead and which animals I use it on.
Yes, Othmar. You are very fortunate. And yes, I would have fired that worker also (but not before I ran a few bulls at him). His over eagerness and stupidity could have cost you your life.
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Post by Brikatw on Jun 5, 2006 5:04:40 GMT 12.75
The 3 most dangerous critters in the world are an old bull, a momma sow and wife who has waited up for you to come home from the beer joint till 3 am. Not neccasarily in that order....ok 4 most dangerous critters, add the untrained or stupid (not ignorant) co-worker who just wants to help. Ignorant just plain doesn't know any better and you can plan on them messing up, even set them up to learn the lesson but a stupid co-worker knows better and does it anyways. Sometimes it's innocent enough like a case a lapse in judgement but most times it's just a lack of consideration. I think that is the reason they invented cattle prods, not for the cattle but the stupid hands that cause trouble. Take your time Othmar and get better, be sure your healed before going back to ANYTHING that may aggravate your back. I had a simular break as the one you discribe about 25 years ago when I fell off the top of an aircraft and landed on the tail bone. The military doctors said I "strained some muscles and gave me motrin. 20+ years later, they discover that it was broken and is now the cuase of things like legs that go numb sometimes a;ong with general soreness and stiffness. Keep getting better Friend, We're all praying for you, Brian
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Post by othmar on Jun 5, 2006 6:15:20 GMT 12.75
The worker in question had my attention for some time. He was one of these people who would answer everything with, "I know what I am doing", or "Why are you telling me this I am a butcher." His mistake was that he always thought he knows everything. He has gotten a few workers in trouble or close calls. On top of all this he seemed completely oblivious to his surrounding.
I have worked with livestock all my life since I was a small boy. Later, as some of you may know, I went on to study animal behavior and became an animal trainer and animal behaviorist. In 2001 I retired from a 30 year career as animal behaviorist and went back to my house trade as Master Butcher.
If I have learned anything about animals then it is this. Animals that are scared or confused can become very dangerous. Unlike humans animals can't reason, animals only react to situations. Anytime an animal is in a strange environment, i.e. stockyard or ill and hurt it will become highly alerted and defensive. If such animals are not treated with the utmost patience and calm they can become life threatening to humans. What many people neglect to realize is the fact that animals and humans are very similar in behavior, thus animals readily can pick up our emotions and behavior patterns and translate them and then act accordingly.
I have dealt with animals like elephants, tigers, fully grown bulls and wild horses and found that non threatening behavior, calmness and patience went a long way to relax the animals down. If animals have to be treated I always constrict them in some way i.e. squeeze chute. I never use force on any animal or give them any other reason to retaliate i.e. hitting them or using cattle prods. On our place only I move big bulls into the chute and the runways and I do so by letting the animals do it in their own time and by talking calmly or whistling at them, a little food helps too. It works great. The animals are relaxed and thus act predictable and natural, rather than in panic and frantic. Some folks may think why bother with animals that are going to be killed anyway. The reason I bother is because a relaxed animal yields a much better meat quality since such meat is not "poisoned" with adrenalin that makes the meat dark and though to eat. And just as important, despite being a butcher, I respect animals as living creatures and that they deserve our dignity. Death in as natural as birth and one way we can show respect to animals is to bring about a swift and painless end as we would wish it will come to us too.
Since the blood has been sucked out of my back I feel a lot better and have slept for the first time all night without waking up. The 3rd. and the 10th. day of an injury are the most painful, I am told by the doctor. According to him it is at these timeframes when the healing process is the most active and keeps pushing and shoving the body around.
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Post by Toby Benoit on Jun 5, 2006 6:33:17 GMT 12.75
The first time a new employee tells you, "I know what I'm doing!" the next words out of your mouth should be, "me too, you're fired!" A know it all is a very dangerous critter. Sorry you had one get you hurt. Guess that pretty young wife of yours is just gonna have to watch more TV while that back heals huh?
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Post by othmar on Jun 5, 2006 6:45:17 GMT 12.75
Othmar, you may not be accident prone, but you are so lucky!! As I read your account, goose bumps raised up all over me. I used to work the alleys at the stock yards (when I was younger, thinner, crazier, and quicker on my feet) and have witnessed several occasions just as the one you were in. The Lord was definitely with you that day!!! We often under estimate how an animal will react to our actions. Our local veterinarian, a close family friend, was killed this past winter doing something as simple as using a nose lead to immobilize a cow. He had over 30 years of experience and had probably done this a million times. He was so comfortable with the technique that he seldom used a squeeze chute or vet table. This time, however, didn't go as usual. As he was pulling the animal's head forward and upward with a rope over a timber beam, the cow jerked back and pulled his short stocky body up into the beam. The farmer got him down quickly and Fred managed to get to his feet and indicated that he was OK just before he collapsed to his death. It was later found that he had suffered several broken ribs, punctured both lungs and had a lacerated aorta. It's definitely made me think twice about how I go about using a nose lead and which animals I use it on. Yes, Othmar. You are very fortunate. And yes, I would have fired that worker also (but not before I ran a few bulls at him). His over eagerness and stupidity could have cost you your life. One of humans great mistakes is that we become accustomed to danger and then let our guard down. Animals are much smarter then we grant them, they pick up the slightest change in our attention and in split seconds take full advantage of it. Back in the years when I worked with wild animals, I always found that I ended up in trouble the moment I my concentration slipped a notch or two or when I got to accustomed to a situation. There was a tiger with which I worked who had a very mean temper but I could work with him without any problems because I was mentally always prepared for him and thus a step ahead of him. I literally could read his mind and that impressed him very much. But one day I let it slip, just for a second, the tiger took full advantage of this and came rushing in with such force that I barley had time to get out of his way. Lucky for me I stood close to the cage and as I jumped to the side he run head first into the heavy metal bars and got a mighty headache. He still managed to rip my leg open but he abandoned any further attempts. Never again let I slip my concentration again around that tiger and we worked together just fine for many years. Most human/ animal accidents are entirely the fault of humans, either because of how they condition the animals or because they don't pay attention to the the situation or still worse think they know what they are doing and let their guard down. Animals make a living of taking an vantage of situations, it's the only way they can survive in a very hostile (nature) environment.
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Post by othmar on Jun 5, 2006 6:53:07 GMT 12.75
The first time a new employee tells you, "I know what I'm doing!" the next words out of your mouth should be, "me too, you're fired!" A know it all is a very dangerous critter. Sorry you had one get you hurt. Guess that pretty young wife of yours is just gonna have to watch more TV while that back heals huh? You are right, but if you are as desperate for workers as our trade is you sometimes have to take who ever comes along. It's pretty sad what trades have to do nowadays, while all the kids at school are told, "Don't learn a trade go and study." What we see now is that there are 1000's of unemployed doctors and lawyers and the trades can't find workers. There are many different ways to be with my wife that does not involve any strain on my back. ;D
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Post by Brikatw on Jun 5, 2006 14:08:10 GMT 12.75
Even the most well intention helper can be a danger. I've always liked dealing with animals because there was always the thought in the back of your mind that they have no problem taking me out and will not feel at all guilty for doing it. It's emotions of us humans that seem to get us into more trouble than we can handle most times. Thankfully, Othmar, you were alert enough to put yourself in the best place to let the bulls pass. As you said, a strep in anyother direction and it would have been catostrophic....Thank the Lord...
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Post by othmar on Jun 5, 2006 16:10:52 GMT 12.75
Even the most well intention helper can be a danger. I've always liked dealing with animals because there was always the thought in the back of your mind that they have no problem taking me out and will not feel at all guilty for doing it. It's emotions of us humans that seem to get us into more trouble than we can handle most times. Thankfully, Othmar, you were alert enough to put yourself in the best place to let the bulls pass. As you said, a strep in anyother direction and it would have been catostrophic....Thank the Lord... At one time I said someting similar to an animal rights activist who objected eating the flesh of animals. "While you may have objections to eating animals I am sure that your dog would have no moral or ethical dilemmas whatsoever to kill and eat you if that would become necersarry to his survival." ;D
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Post by Brikatw on Jun 5, 2006 16:58:27 GMT 12.75
I had an angus bull years ago that when I moved here I gave to the rancher down the road as breeding stock for his rodeo herd. As things turned out this bull became one of those big money bulls for the PRCA. As with dogs or kids for that matter, the atmosphere an animal is surrounded by has alot to do with his behavior and attitude. When I had this bull, since he was a calf he was treated as one of the family, just as we treated our dog. He walked on a leash, would load up on the stock trailer at a whistle and at one time or another even rode the kids around on his back. The trick to getting him to behave like a "civilized" pet was to talk to him nice and scratch his ears like a dogs. But if you treated him like a 900 lb bull he's act like a 900 lb bull. There was one time I remember in particular. I had him at a friends place for breeding ( he was after all, just a gigalo) and when I went to pick him up the lady sent out her mexican hands to bring him in and load him up. While dinking the cold beer she gave me, I watched those "cowboys" rope and rerope the bull, get dragged through the mud and poop and generally get beat up by this bull. About the time I finished the beer, I noticed the bull was blowing a little too hard. Just about worn out. I got off the tailgate, hopped the fence, walked upto him talking sweet, scratched his ears and gave his head a hug. Then I took him by the ear, made a "kissy sound and walked upto the trailer where he calmly waited while I opened the ramp and gate and told him to "load up". The lady just about fell off the tailgate laughing at this and the cowboys taught me more spanish in the next minute or so it took me to close up and drive out than I have ever heard in my life. Like Othmar said, animals react to what surrounds them. If they have no reason to react dangerously, fear, breeding rights, territory or hunger then they USUALLY won't react in a dangerous way. Of course, if a 900 lb bull doesn't realize he's 900 lbs then his gentle can also be dangerous. REMEMBER, a 900 lb bull moving at 1 MPH will hit you just as hard as a 1 lb bull moving at 900 MPH. either way it hurts, ALOT....
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Post by brittonfaith on Jun 5, 2006 17:49:22 GMT 12.75
LOL Brian!! ;D After 75 yrs of my dad working his herd, he hasn't figured out that he spends 364 days a year training them to come to him at the sight of a bucket. On the day he wants to move them, however, he gets behind the herd yelling and swinging that bucket, then wonders why they won't move forward! I have always stood firm in having an understanding and respect for my critters, while at the same time not allowing myself get emotionally attached to them. But, I had an old show cow once. Between my dad, uncle, brothers and I, she had traveled over 100k miles to fairs and festivals. When she was at home, she did not, would not, lead. Most of the time she'd mosey around half dead looking. But, when I'd back the truck up to the barn door and drop the chute, her whole confirmation and attitude changed. She gave 110% in the show ring and on the PR circuits. As she finished her 18th lactation as a 20yr-old, she was still a fairly sound animal but was showing her age and starting to have breeding problems (what gal wouldn't after 19 young'uns!). I reluctantly decided to send her to the yards. She staggered out of the barn, nearly falling as she crossed the gutter. As she stepped out into the morning sunlight and saw the truck, her ears stood up, her back was straight, and she had that old "yippee - road trip!" glow back. I felt like a heel and cried the whole trip. When we got to the stockyards, I backed up to the dock and swung the gate open. The old gal turned around, ready for a freshly bedded stall and a flake of hay. She took a big breath of air and then froze in her tracks. After all those years on the road, I think she knew that this wasn't a fair. She let out the awfullest bellow and dropped at my feet right there on the dock. Ol' gal had had a heart attack.
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