Show suggest caustic potash to remove cow horns ho MS in the wild state cows may have needed their horns for defense but under modern conditions they are of no practical value except from the standpoint of beauty say washington state college dairymen who recommend that horns be removed from calves at an early age horns may be removed with caustic when the calf is about a week old caustic potash in sticks may be used for this purpose tie the animal securely then clip an area over and around the horn button about the size of a half dollar cover this area with vaseline to prevent the caustic from burning beyond the horn area wrap one lie end of the caustic in in paper to prevent burning the fingers of the operator place the stick of caustic over the center of the horn button and rub with a circular motion until the caust caustic ic has gone through the skin and into the center of the horn button some practice is is necessary to achieve the best r results do not turri turn the calf out in the rain for a day or two and do not allow other calves to lick the treated horn buttons |