help milking a really short cow

[sortanormalish]

I need some advice about a milk stand for a cow. We have some diary goats and a milk stand for them, but they weigh less than 150 pounds each, Madam Edna weighs 500 pounds. She is a Dexter, translation 'short'. Murderous on the back. We would like something that all the ladies can share, caprine and bovine alike, but all suggestions are welcome.

[weeble]

Dont know how good you are at diy, but couldn't you make something that would fit all? We made our goat milking stand from wood, but you could always reinforce the platform with something. Maybe some sort of adjustable head lock too. (Or bailer twine works to do it up too!)

http://www.cyrilssoapshed.co.uk

[theabsinthefairy]

Unlike goats, cows are not very good at getting up and down things, so a platform may not work but have you considered a slope.

They will raise their front legs onto a hay bale or equivalent, but getting them to stay still can be awkward too.

Alternatively - you can lower yourself - have a milking 'pit' for your stool.

[sortanormalish]

We don't have a slope, and I have tried the pit. It filled up with...mud...when it rained. So I thought if I could figure out how to build a milk stand that would be the solution.

Edna has no trouble getting in and out of the trailer due to the ramp, so I would use a ramp. I have a head gate that I can use, but I don't think I need it as she is quite the lady, and I know how to reinforce the floor, but I'm not sure how to deal with side-stepping among the goats. I can have two milk stands, but one will have to be without a roof.

[sortanormalish]

It seems I am the only person in the world with this problem, but I think it more likely I'm the only one that will admit it.

We finally got the stancion built. We started with four posts, two for the headgate and two for support in the back. We, rather the huband and boys, placed concrete blocks with 8 inch spacing between them along the entire length and width, then they added a layer of block to make columns and poured concrete mix in one set of holes for each column so they won't shift. They topped the columns with 2 inch thick hardwood boards. We put the head gate on one end and trained her to eat in the stachion with the gate closed before adding the platform, I think that helped tremendously.

The platform is 18 inches off the ground so we used a row of block as a step so she has two steps about 8-10 inches high. She handled it all with great curiosity and grace. It was easier than getting her into the horse trailer.

I know there is someone else out there with a height challenged cow!