Mini Highland Owner's Manual
A comprehensive day-to-day guide to keeping your fold happy, healthy, and thriving.
The "Before You Buy" Checklist
Ensure your property is ready for arrival:
📅 The Daily Routine
Cattle thrive on consistency. Here is what a typical day looks like for a Mini Highland owner:
| Time of Day | Key Tasks |
|---|---|
| Morning |
• Check water trough (clean/refill). • Feed hay (if pasture is low). • Visual Health Check: Are they alert? Chewing cud? • Check for limping or eye discharge. |
| Evening |
• "Treat Time" (Cube training) to build bond. • Verify everyone is accounted for. • Check fences for any downed limbs/breaks. • Ensure mineral feeder is dry and full. |
| Weekly |
• Deep grooming (brushing out coat). • Scrub water troughs. • Move pasture rotation (if applicable). |
🌾 Diet & Nutrition 101
The Main Course: Grass & Hay
A Mini Highland's diet should be 90-95% forage. In spring/summer, lush pasture is sufficient. In winter/drought, provide quality grass hay (Coastal, Bermuda, Timothy, or Orchard Grass).
Minerals (Crucial)
You must provide a loose mineral specific to your region. Do not rely on "salt licks" (blocks) alone; their tongues are soft, and they cannot lick enough to get what they need. Use a loose mineral in a covered feeder.
Treats & Training
Range Cubes (Cattle Cake): This is the secret to a tame cow. Shake a bucket of cubes every evening. They will learn to come running when called. Limit: 1-2 cups per cow per day.
☀️ Summer vs. Winter Care
Managing Heat (Texas, Florida, California)
Highlands have a double coat designed for Scotland. Heat stress is their #1 enemy in the South.
- Shade: Essential. Trees or man-made structures with airflow.
- Water: They will stand in ponds to cool off. If you don't have a pond, kiddie pools work!
- Fans: Barn fans are highly recommended when temps exceed 90°F.
- Electrolytes: Add electrolytes to water during heat waves.
Managing Winter
They love the cold! However, they burn more calories to stay warm.
- Increase Hay: Feed free-choice hay 24/7. Digestion creates internal body heat.
- Water Heaters: Use tank de-icers so water doesn't freeze.
- Wind Break: They don't mind snow, but they need a wall to block the wind.
🩺 The "Healthy Cow" Check
Learn to spot issues before they become emergencies. A healthy cow should have:
- Clear Eyes: No weeping, cloudiness, or squinting (Signs of Pink Eye).
- Clean Nose: Moist, but not running with thick mucus.
- Smooth Breathing: No panting or heaving (unless very hot).
- Chewing Cud: A happy cow spends 8 hours a day chewing. If they stop, call the vet.
- Firm Stool: "Cow pies" should be structured. Watery soup indicates scours or parasites.
🧰 New Owner Gear List
Don't buy the whole store. Here is what you actually need on Day 1:
- Rope Halter: For leading and tying.
- Scotch Comb / Slicker Brush: For grooming that fluffy coat.
- Fly Spray (Permethrin): Critical in summer.
- Blu-Kote: Antiseptic spray for minor cuts/scrapes.
- Rectal Thermometer: The first thing a vet will ask is, "What is their temp?"