What is the purpose of dehorning?

• A. To identify animals that have horns.
• B. To remove or prevent the growth of horns to protect humans and other animals from being injured.
• C. To trim the horns for aesthetic reasons.
• D. To increase horn growth for defense.

Answer: (B)

Dehorning is done to prevent injuries by removing or preventing horn growth, protecting people and other animals from being injured. Horns can cause serious harm during handling, moving, or routine care, and they can also damage fences and equipment. By removing horns or stopping their growth, the risk of injury is reduced for handlers and for herd mates, making management safer overall. It’s not about identifying animals, cosmetic reasons, or increasing horn growth—the purpose is to lessen danger. Best practices emphasize doing the procedure with proper pain relief and at an appropriate age to minimize discomfort.