Training a Dexter Heifer to the Stanchion:
Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
From first barn steps to calm, confident milkings —
Real photos, real videos, and real data from Mountain Heritage Farm in Tennessee.
Training a Dexter heifer to milk doesn’t start the day she calves —
It starts months before with calm heifer handling. Training a first-calf heifer to milk can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. The process is simple, calm, and built on trust. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how we prepare our heifers for their first freshening by getting them used to the stanchion, step by step, with photos and videos from our own herd.
Step One: Gentle Udder Handling From Day One
Start early by getting your heifer used to a calm hand on her udder. Around here, we jokingly call it “cop a feel,” but the real purpose is to show her that human touch is normal, safe, and part of everyday life.
Whenever I’m in the pasture, I make a habit of reaching under heifers and cows to gently touch their udders. This simple practice builds trust so handling won’t be a shock later in the barn.
When milking time comes, you’ll be working with a strong, hormonal, 700-pound heifer. You don’t want every part of the experience to be brand new to her—that’s where early trust-building pays off.
Step Two: Getting Comfortable with the Barn
As calving approaches and your heifer begins to bag up, bring her inside for short, positive visits. For a pasture-raised Dexter, the barn is full of unfamiliar sights and smells. Keep the first trip simple—just crossing the doorway is a win.
A pan of alfalfa or a handful of grain at the threshold helps her connect the barn with calm and reward. If she backs out, let her. Patience builds trust.
The first trip into the barn is not about the stanchion—it’s only about crossing the threshold. Here’s how to keep it positive:
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Start with a feed pan at the doorway.
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Offer a small reward like alfalfa or grain.
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She may back out—and that’s fine. Be patient.
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Only coax her if she leaves the doorway completely.
This was Sapphire’s very first barn walk. At first she hesitated, but curiosity—and the feed pan—drew her forward. In the video, you can see just how cautious she is. This is an entirely new experience, and it’s important to remember: cattle are prey animals. In the wild, this kind of caution keeps them alive.
Her hesitation is absolutely normal. She did eventually walk in, but I put the camera down so I wouldn’t add another stressor for her.
This photo was taken during Sapphire’s very first barn session. It’s her first trip inside—and notice how calm and focused she is on her treat. That’s exactly the response you want to build from day one.
End Goal:
Success starts simple: getting her head through the stanchion opening. If I take my time, this usually happens naturally on the very first barn visit. For me, that’s 100% success on day one of training.
If your heifer is more standoffish, even just stepping into the barn counts as progress. Keep repeating the routine until she willingly walks in each time and eats from a feed pan with her head resting in the stanchion opening.
Step 3: Getting your Heifer in the Stanchion
Foolproof method that works for me every time!
Be Patient!
The number one thing I hear is, "What if my heifer won't go in the stanchion?"
This is day two of training for Sapphire. The video shows her second trip into the barn—unedited—so you can see just how long she hesitates. Getting her to walk in without force is the key. Each pause builds her trust and teaches her that both I and this barn are safe.
For me, this usually happens by day two, but if it takes your heifer a week or more—that’s perfectly fine. Patience is everything.
Sapphire is what we call “dead broke” on a halter, but I don’t use that tool here. She needs to come in on her own terms, when she feels comfortable. Otherwise, every visit becomes a battle.
Once she’s at ease entering the barn...
Gently introduce the stanchion. Very gentle stanchion training is paramount. The goal isn’t to lock her in tightly right away, but to let her experience standing in the space with a treat in front of her. Use calm movements and keep sessions short. Every positive experience here will pay off when she calves and it’s time for real milking.
Getting her in the Stanchion
There’s a little trick to this. I place the same feed pan she’s been snacking from back into its proper spot inside the stanchion. Then I use a feed bucket to gently coax her forward. The goal is simple: encourage her to step in and put her head through the headcatch to eat.
I tried to film her going all the way in, but—between holding a camera and wrestling a determined heifer intent on stealing the bucket—it wasn’t happening. 😂 Still, you’ll get the idea!
Patience and Persistence Pay off!
Carefully coaxing her with the feed bucket, she finally put her head through the headcatch.
Success! She calmly enjoyed her snack—exactly the kind of positive experience that stacks the deck in your favor when it’s time for her first real milking.
Step 4: Practice Makes Comfortable
Bring her in every single day. No rush, no pressure.
Daily Practice
Bring her into the barn—and ideally the stanchion—every day. The routine matters more than the time spent. Keep it calm: no rushing, no pressure.
Consistency teaches her that this is simply part of daily life, not a special or stressful event.
Close the Headcatch
Once your heifer stands calmly in the stanchion each day for her treat, it’s time to gently close the headcatch. Do this as quietly as possible—many are metal and can clang. Wait until she’s focused on eating, then ease the headcatch shut. Leave it closed only briefly, then open it again while she’s still enjoying her snack.
The key is timing: never wait until she finishes her treat, or she may panic when she realizes she’s caught. Keep your voice soft and reassuring, and let every repetition teach her that confinement is safe, calm, and predictable.
If you’ve timed this step well, she’ll barely notice the change and will continue calmly enjoying her snack while the headcatch is closed.
Gentle Touch
When your heifer is calmly secured in the headcatch, you can begin gentle handling. Sit on your milking stool and run your hand slowly down her flank, finishing with a light touch on her udder. Avoid the teats—stimulation before calving can interfere with colostrum production, which is vital for her calf’s health.
At this stage, less is more. Keep contact brief and avoid over-handling the udder. The goal isn’t to “train” the udder—it’s to reinforce trust between you and your heifer.
🎥 This clip shows Sapphire on her fourth trip into the barn. Touching her this way was only possible because of the trust built in earlier steps.
Let her leave on her own terms...
After her first experience in the headcatch, allow your heifer to exit at her own pace. If she chooses to finish her snack first—wonderful! That’s a strong sign of growing trust. If she’s ready to leave right away, that’s fine too. I often guide her back gently so the session ends on a positive note.
Months of trust-building shine here: a heifer who willingly follows you back into the barn to finish her feed is showing real confidence in the routine.
🎥 This video shows a picture-perfect exit—calm, unhurried, and exactly what you want to see.
Step 5: Putting it all Together
Training a Dexter Heifer is about three things:
Calm handling, consistent routine, and trust. Everything else—barn visits, closing the headcatch, gentle touches, calm exits—flows naturally out of those habits.
My girls love their alfalfa treats, as you can see. The bonus of daily consistency is twofold: the treats make barn time positive and the steady alfalfa intake supports a strong first milk supply.
That’s a win-win. 🙌
Keep up the daily barn visits until calving, and you’ll stack the deck in your favor for a smooth first milking experience.
A Word of Realism Before Calving
Even with months of preparation, don’t be surprised if your heifer seems to “forget everything” once her calf arrives. Hormones are high, maternal instincts are strong, and she may act like the stanchion is brand new. Some persuasion (like tying her calf near the feed pan) may be necessary, and kicking is not uncommon in these early days.
The good news? All the trust and groundwork you’ve built will make those first chaotic weeks manageable—and safer for both of you.
👉 In my First Steps to Milking Guide (coming soon!), I’ll show how I protect myself, work through those fresh-cow jitters, and continue Sapphire’s journey into becoming a steady, reliable milk cow.
When should I start udder handling?
How long should a barn visit last?
When do I close the headcatch the first time?
Should I touch the udder before calving?
What if she backs out of the barn?
My heifer forgets everything after calving—normal?
How do I reduce kicking in first milkings?
Will treats hurt first milk supply?
What if my heifer won't go in the stanchion?
Ready to Start with a trained Dexter Cow?
At Mountain Heritage Farm, we focus on setting families up for success by placing bred cows and heifers — never wet cows. If you’re interested in adding a Dexter to your homestead or farm, visit our For Sale pageto see current availability.
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