Blow Torch

Horns that are allowed to grow are problematic later in a goat's life. Horns can lead to injury when goats play, mate, or engage in power struggles. Goats with horns can also become entangled in brush or fences and without assistance can die from being unable to free themselves.

Mrs. Sandburg burned the horn buds off of newborn goats to prevent growth. This is called dis-budding. It singes the capillaries that provide nourishment that stimulates bone growth. If not done soon after birth, the horns are already established and it is nearly impossible to halt the growth of the horns. Dis-budding takes seconds, but is unpleasant for many who perform the task. Mrs. Sandburg didn't seem to mind as she was never squeamish about such things, and understood the sensitivity of the timing, even when she was not feeling well. "You would have laughed to have seen me disbud kids yesterday in my bedroom - five kids. This is the one job that no one else does. So you can see that Mrs. Chikaming stays on the job even with a temperature."
Metal. L 28, W 20.5, D 15 cm
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, CARL 14952