A folding head restraint mounted to a cattle hoof trimming chute. The head restraint is mounted at the head gate of the chute and positioned so that the animal's head will be in the head restraint when the chute is in the layover position. The head restraint has a flat center brace and two folding side braces that rotate to the perpendicular when the chute is rotated to the layover position. The side braces are moved by a hydraulic piston operated by remote control. The movement of the side braces correspond to the movement of the chute from the upright to the horizontal position. As the chute rotates the side braces move to perpendicular. This shield's the animal's head, and also helps calm the animal.