Which procedure stops the blood supply to the horn in goats?

• A. Dehorning
• B. Trimming
• C. Banding
• D. Disbudding

Answer: (C)

Constricting the blood supply at the horn base is the method that directly causes the horn to die back or stop growing. Banding places a tight band around the base of the horn; as tissue swells, the band presses on the blood vessels feeding the horn. Without adequate blood flow, the horn tissue becomes necrotic and growth is halted, or the horn may eventually shed.

Other options involve removing horn tissue or trimming without specifically cutting off the base’s blood supply, or simply removing horn buds in young goats. Dehorning and disbudding remove horn tissue or buds, affecting growth but not through the direct vascular constriction used by banding. Trimming only shortens the horn without stopping its blood supply.