It’s frustrating.
It’s challenging.
In theory, it is simple. In practice, it is as complicated and complex as anything one could think of.
I’m not talking about taxes, registering a pickup without a trailer, or advanced calculus. Nope, I’m talking about handling cattle smoothly.
Handling cattle horseback is a great way to develop a feel for when to pause and when to accelerate. Something as simple as “move this bovine from point A to point B” can feel impossible without the right approach. Often, especially when handling certain types of cattle, a good team is necessary. Smooth is fast. The best approach to being good help when handling cattle is to be there before you are needed, and be out of the way before you are in it.
Cattle can do several things for a situation.
- They make things more interesting
- They put a different set of pressure on a horse and rider
- They present a sense of purpose for what we need our horse to do and answer the question “why?” when it comes to maneuvers and a broke horse.
- They offer us a way to grow and gain in knowledge, confidence, and yes, sometimes humility too.
I know that for me, I am the least stressed when I am on something broke, brave, trained and cowy when I’m doing anything with cattle. Very few times does this happen. Being on a green horse when I’m called on has been extremely beneficial for my learning curve. I can’t be out of position and jump back into it smoothly like I could on a bridle horse.
Around my place, we don’t handle cattle nearly as much as real cowboys do. We are horse trainers. We have a jag of our own and we raise some, work some, sell some, but our herd is relatively gentle and are used to being handled horseback. There is room for error and they are great for building confidence in someone who isn’t very comfortable handling stock. But, on the flip side, they can also teach bad habits and give grace to someone in the wrong position or with little feel, when a flinchy bunch of fresh yearling heifers in a big trap wouldn’t be so forgiving.
To be honest, all the logistics and second guessing aside, handling cattle can actually be kind of fun. Talk about good for my horse, too! One of the best feelings a guy can have on his gelding, mare or stud is to have it usable. Tie those feet to your hands with subtle cues and have your horse placed directly where you want him to be without friction or fuss. A cow can give you a reason to do that. There’s no time for perfect collection or setting things up just right – when it’s time to move, move and when it’s time to hold up, hold up.
It’s fun to have a horse that’s good help, but it’s even more fun to be good help. If you get the opportunity to handle cattle with someone who is patient, knowledgeable and educated, I encourage each and every one of you to do so, green horse, broke horse or even afoot.
I can’t sing the same praises for advanced calculus, however.
