What are milking hobbles designed to do?

Milking hobbles are specifically designed to prevent a cow from kicking during the milking process. When applied properly, these devices secure the cow's legs, limiting their movement and thus helping to create a safer and more efficient milking environment for both the animal and the milker. By restraining the hind legs, milking hobbles reduce the risk of injury to the cow and the operator, as kicking can lead to accidents, damage to equipment, and stress for both parties.

While stability during transport, stress reduction during milking procedures, and assistance with feeding might be considerations in handling livestock, they do not specifically address the primary function of milking hobbles. The focus of this device is clearly on preventing kicks, which is a common concern in dairy management.