In the first experiment, beef heifers were either blindfolded or not (control) during restraint in a novel restraint facility. Two people (on each side of the animal) touched on the ears, neck, sides and rump of each animal during restraint. Heifers had the same heart rate at the end of the treatment. However, heart rate tended to decrease more for blindfolded heifers during restraint than for those who were not blindfolded. Based on the results from electronic strain gauges that were attached to the head gate, the blindfolded heifers struggled less than the control animals. Heart rate and exertion forces decreased over four days of testing for both treatment groups. In a second experiment, the reactions beef calves that were restrained on a calf tilt table while either blindfolded or not (control), were recorded. To simulate ear tagging and vaccination, one person touched the calf’s ear, and another person touched the neck. Blindfolded calves moved less than the control calves. The number of vocalizations did not differ between treatments. The authors suggest that blindfolding may be worthwhile during routine procedures, as the blindfolded cattle struggled less and tended to have lower heart rates.