Highland Cows Handbook (Paperback)

Discover the hardy, distinctive, and remarkably adaptable Highland cow—and learn how to raise and manage Highland cattle with confidence from their first days through lifelong care.

HIGHLAND COWS HANDBOOK is a comprehensive practical guide to raising, feeding, housing, breeding, calving, training, health care, pasture management, and responsible long-term management of Highland cattle. Written for beginners, smallholders, homesteaders, farmers, prospective owners, and experienced cattle keepers, Raphael Hartley provides clear guidance for developing a healthy and manageable herd.

Famous for their long horns, shaggy coats, hardiness, and ability to thrive in challenging environments, Highland cattle are one of the world’s most recognizable cattle breeds. Their resilience, however, does not eliminate the need for appropriate nutrition, secure facilities, preventive health care, careful breeding, and knowledgeable herd management.

Inside this handbook, you’ll discover:

• Highland cattle history, breed characteristics, temperament, conformation, and natural adaptations
• How to determine whether Highland cattle are suitable for your property, climate, experience, and goals
• What to look for when selecting healthy cattle from responsible breeders and sellers
• Preparing secure fencing, gates, shelters, handling facilities, water systems, and essential equipment
• Pasture planning, grazing management, stocking considerations, rotation, and protecting forage resources
• Nutritional principles involving grass, hay, minerals, supplementation, water, and body-condition management
• Seasonal feeding strategies and preparing for periods of limited forage
• Understanding cattle behavior, herd hierarchy, communication, stress signals, and individual temperament
• Safe handling and positive training for leading, routine movement, veterinary procedures, and everyday management
• Special safety considerations when working around horned cattle
• Routine grooming, coat observation, hoof monitoring, and general physical inspection
• Preventive health planning, vaccination discussions, parasite management, and veterinary care
• How to recognize changes in appetite, weight, manure, movement, breathing, coat condition, and behavior
• Common health concerns and situations requiring prompt veterinary attention
• Breeding management, bull selection, reproductive readiness, mating, pregnancy monitoring, and responsible breeding decisions
• Preparing for calving and recognizing normal labor as well as potential warning signs
• Newborn calf care, colostrum, bonding, growth monitoring, weaning, and juvenile development
• Managing bulls, cows, calves, and mixed groups while maintaining appropriate herd structure
• Record keeping for identification, breeding, calving, health, treatments, growth, and transfers
• Emergency preparation, temporary caregivers, financial planning, and long-term herd management
• Adapting care for aging cattle and supporting comfort, mobility, nutrition, and quality of life

HIGHLAND COWS HANDBOOK emphasizes that successful cattle keeping begins with good planning. Their impressive horns, strength, herd instincts, and individual temperaments require secure infrastructure and calm, consistent handling. Even docile animals deserve appropriate respect and safe management practices.

The book also explores the importance of sustainable pasture use. Thoughtful grazing, appropriate stocking levels, soil protection, reliable water, seasonal forage planning, and careful observation can support both herd welfare and productive land management.

Whether you are purchasing your first Highland cows, establishing a small homestead herd, planning a breeding program, preparing for your first calving season, or improving an existing operation, this handbook provides a dependable foundation for responsible management.