Up to my elbows in dystocia

Up to my elbow today in a cow's you know what. We had a pregnant cow that was acting strange. She was in labor but appeared to be having problems. We brought her into the chute so that we could check that the calf was coming out correctly.

A calf has to come out with its two front feet and head first. Upon internal inspection (Internal as in putting your hand in the cow's vagina. Also called the birth canal) we determined that the calf was ready to come out but one of its hooves was not in the right position. When this happens you get to play doctor and help deliver the calf. To do this you have to get a little dirty and reach around in mama cow until you can find the other hoof and move it into position.

Actually, this was my first time to attempt this and suffice it to say that I did not have much luck. Javier gave it a try and was able to find the hoof. Then as the cow contracted we pulled on the calf until he slid all the way out. It was a bull calf. A little bit worn out from the struggle, but he appears to be doing fine. Mama cow was glad to see him.

And for you word of the day types... dystocia is the technical term used when a cow is unable to deliver a calf by herself.