Assistance with calving is generally straightforward — if the heifer stops progressing for too long in her labor process we might step in to give her a little extra help. But occasionally we find a malpresentation with the calf in the birth canal that requires a bigger intervention. This can take several forms, with only one of the calf’s legs emerging while the other leg remains folded under, or two front hooves emerging but the head is folded back. Or, as pictured here, a backwards calf trying to come out hindlegs-first. If caught quickly, most of these malpresentations can be rectified by carefully repositioning the calf and pulling in conjunction with the heifer’s contractions until it is all the way free. It’s tough work (mostly for the heifer), but extremely rewarding when we are able to help a heifer deliver and pair up with her first calf. Photos of Mike and Claudia assisting a heifer with a breech-birth on the Frying Pan Ranch by @paagefrank.