Macwards Highland Cows

Macwards Highland Cows Macwards highland cows is a boutique fold of quality highland cows.

Today was a big day for us at Macwards, delivering our two bull calves to their new home 🤎 Watching their new owners bur...
10/04/2026

Today was a big day for us at Macwards, delivering our two bull calves to their new home 🤎 Watching their new owners burst into tears with joy is something we’ll never forget. To then receive a message saying the boys walked straight up to them within the first 5 minutes, calm and gentle, is exactly why we do what we do.

At Macwards, temperament is everything to us. It’s not by chance — it’s the result of careful bloodline selection, a lot of research, and our core belief in training for trust, not submission. Seeing that trust carry over into their new home so quickly is the greatest reward.

09/04/2026

Training Video #21

Desensitising with the ropes

Here we are desensitising the red bull calf to the ropes. I’m flapping the ropes around his legs, ears, and horns, as well as swinging the lead rope and tapping it on the ground. I also wrap the rope gently around his neck and apply a small amount of pressure so he can feel weight behind it. We swing the rope around the legs as well to build acceptance in those lower-pressure zones.

This is not something we introduce at the start of training. If done too early, it can create fear and lead to unwanted behaviours. Instead, we build up to this gradually, introducing it in small amounts over time.

Through earlier stages—halter introduction, lead training, hard tying, and removing/reapplying the halter—we are already building awareness and acceptance of the ropes. This allows us to progress to more active desensitising like you see here, including working more around the head with increased movement.

If you refer back to Training Video #13, you’ll see a softer version of this process. In that stage, I work from further away and keep everything slow and gentle. As the animal’s confidence grows, we can increase the intensity while still maintaining calmness and trust.

02/04/2026

Training Video #20

Lead Training

Here the red bull is learning to move his feet under halter pressure and release

We always start with the criss-cross method, working in circles. As they begin to understand how to step off that pressure, we gradually make the circles larger until we can guide them into a straight line.

If they dig their feet in and brace, don’t try to out-pull them. Instead, go straight back to the criss-cross method. This shifts their weight and encourages a sideways step. Repeat this process consistently.

Straight lines don’t work well in the early stages unless you’re prepared to use significant pressure on the poll and nose/chin via the halter—and that turns into a battle.

Cattle learn very quickly. If they brace, stop, and “win,” they’ll keep doing it. But if you consistently move their feet using the criss-cross method, they learn that it’s far easier to walk forward and lead willingly.

02/04/2026

Training Video #19

Hard Tying

This is the last thing we teach — not the first.

Hard tying can be dangerous for both the cow and the handler if attempted before the animal understands pressure and release. If a cow hasn’t been properly educated through the earlier stages — from the show stick, to the brush, to hands-on work — they won’t understand how to respond to pressure.

From the very beginning, we teach that pressure doesn’t go away until the feet stop moving. That foundation is what creates a calm, thinking animal when it comes time to hard tie.

Without that foundation, when a cow pulls back while tied, they will panic and thrash. They don’t understand the pressure, and the more they fight, the more pressure they feel — which escalates quickly and can result in serious injury, or worse.

At Macwards, we train slowly and consistently, allowing each animal to progress at their own pace. We only move to the next stage when they are mentally ready.

In this video, you can see this cow is relaxed. He’s still figuring things out, but he’s not reactive. He feels the pressure, understands it, and stays calm because he knows the release will come.

That’s why hard tying is one of the final steps in our halter training process.

31/03/2026

Training Video #19 (B)

Hard Tying

Following on from the previous video, here is the black bull during hard tying.

You can see him trying to work out what’s happening. At first, he tests the pressure — moving around to see if he can release himself from the tie. But because of the foundation work, he quickly realises that increasing pressure isn’t the answer.

Instead, he settles.

He has already been taught that when he stands still, the pressure goes away. That understanding is what keeps him calm and prevents escalation.

Once he makes that correct choice, I reward him with a scratch using the brush — reinforcing that standing quietly is the right place to be and making the experience a positive one.

30/03/2026

Training Video #18

Lead Training

In this video, I want to show just how light the pressure can be to move their feet, using the same pressure-and-release principles from the previous lessons.

You’ll notice at times the red bull shows a little bit of resistance. But because of the solid foundation we’ve built in the earlier training sessions, he doesn’t escalate his energy—he quickly softens and releases that concern.

That’s the result of consistent, trust-based training.

Our goal is always to get movement from the lightest possible pressure—a feather-touch—so we’re never battling with them. When they understand the release, they choose the right response without needing force.

This is where the training starts to feel effortless, for both you and the animal.

30/03/2026

Training Video #17

Lead Training

Here we’re building on from Video 16, introducing lead training with the black cow using circle work off the back of the criss-cross method.

Once you’ve established movement through criss-cross, you can start shaping that movement—guiding turns and getting them to follow your energy, your hands, and your pressure-and-release cues.

I always begin with turns. The head determines where the feet go, so when you apply pressure using the criss-cross method, they step off balance, turn their head, and move their feet. That moment right there is where lead training begins.

This approach makes it much easier for them to understand. If you try to teach a straight line first, most cows will brace, dig their feet in, and refuse to move. That then forces you to apply more pressure just to get a single step.

And that’s exactly what we want to avoid.

You never want to get into a pulling match with a cow—they will win every time, and all you’ll do is create resistance and bad habits.

By working with their balance instead of against it, you’re setting up soft, responsive, and willing movement right from the start.

29/03/2026

Training Video #16

Movement with Pressure & Release

In this session, we’re introducing the criss-cross method, working both sides of the halter/face to create movement through pressure and immediate release.

Rather than trying to pull a cow forward or backward—which typically requires a significant amount of pressure—we focus on moving them sideways. By doing this, we take advantage of their natural balance. When a cow is moved off balance laterally, they are far more likely to step their feet willingly.

This approach reduces the need for force and instead teaches the animal to respond to feel.

You’ll notice that through this method, they begin to follow your hands. This becomes incredibly valuable later on—especially in the show ring—because that responsiveness is built into their foundation training.

This is a technique I’ve carried across from horse show training, and it translates exceptionally well.

Once trust and understanding are established, you’ll be amazed at how tuned in these cattle become to you.

29/03/2026

Training Video #15

Lead Training

Here we have the red bull calf — this is the first time applying pressure through the halter.

At this stage, he doesn’t yet understand what that pressure means on his face. But as you watch, you’ll see him start to figure it out — the moment he moves his feet, the pressure is immediately released.

That’s the foundation of leading: teaching them that moving their feet is the right answer.

In this first lesson, I’m only looking for one step. Just one. That’s all it takes to start building the understanding of pressure and release through the halter.

When I pick up on the halter, I start with a light feel, then increase the pressure until I get that step — and the second he responds, I release. Each time we repeat this, he needs less pressure to give that step.

The goal is that over time, I don’t have to pull or drag the animal — he understands the cue and moves willingly.

This is how we create a soft, responsive animal through consistency and timing.

As always, stay aware — they’re still cattle, and timing and pressure need to be fair and clear.

29/03/2026

Training Video #14 (B)

Removing the Halter

This video follows on from #14 — here we’re removing the halter for the first time.

You can see there’s no concern from the cow at all. He stands quietly while I handle the halter, move around his head, and take it off without any resistance or worry.

This comes back to the same foundation work — desensitising, consistent handling, and clear pressure-and-release. Because he understands the process, there’s no need for panic or tension.

The goal is always a calm, balanced animal that trusts the handler and understands what’s being asked.

As always, stay aware — even with a quiet animal, they are still cattle and can react if pressured incorrectly.

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Bridgetown, WA
6256

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+61448579400

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