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glenatronToday there was a cow. Actually there were several.
Our job today was to help separate some cows from their calves, not sure why, but it was a chance to develop our horsemanship and learn more about working a horse with cattle.
On the way there we were passing Ray Hunt's ranch and as he's running a similar school and Martin and Ray are old friends ( Ray used to be Martin's father-in-law ) we dropped by to see how they were doing. It was interesting to watch other people riding youngstock without having to contend with my own horse. I could see some of the things Martin really insists on us working at in action. Ray is very ill at the moment- he has to be on oxygen and he can't ride any more, so he was talking through a microphone on a little PA. It was very interesting to watch and it really helped me to appreciate the people in this group and the stuff we are learning.
Then we headed out to the ranch where we were working and went to gather in the cattle. We tend to collect the cows on some of the young horses as it's an easy job- circle round the cows and then follow them back to wherever they are being collected, that gives them a job to do, lets them see the world a bit and gives them a chance to open up some. I was riding Gus for this part, which was good fun- he has an amazing amount of spring in his back when he trots. He also wants to race everyone and run about until he has had a canter, after which he mellowed out a whole lot.
Fetching the cattle in.
Having got them corralled, we changed over to more experienced horses to split the cows out and move them into another area, sending back any of the calves that were trying to come through. When the cows are going to push past they tend to surge so those of us who weren't "on" and working a cow at that time were holding the line and turning them back when they started coming through.
Fred, who I'm sharing a room with, turning a cow.
"Now Ben, these here are called cattle and you need to sort 'em."
You know you're going to do OK when Chewie is your copilot.
Useful tip- if you're going to trot or canter make sure you are going away from the cow. Get the cow stopped from returning to the herd before you try to move them out to where you need them put.
It took all day to finish the job, so we headed home, stopping for lunch/dinner on the way, and then home into a Tornado Warning. Fortunately, no Tornado here, unfortunately, the moment I went out to invite Pierre, our fellow student who is staying with his wife and son in a motor home, to come into the house was the single wettest part of the storm. Yes, since you ask, I did get damp.
Our job today was to help separate some cows from their calves, not sure why, but it was a chance to develop our horsemanship and learn more about working a horse with cattle.
On the way there we were passing Ray Hunt's ranch and as he's running a similar school and Martin and Ray are old friends ( Ray used to be Martin's father-in-law ) we dropped by to see how they were doing. It was interesting to watch other people riding youngstock without having to contend with my own horse. I could see some of the things Martin really insists on us working at in action. Ray is very ill at the moment- he has to be on oxygen and he can't ride any more, so he was talking through a microphone on a little PA. It was very interesting to watch and it really helped me to appreciate the people in this group and the stuff we are learning.
Then we headed out to the ranch where we were working and went to gather in the cattle. We tend to collect the cows on some of the young horses as it's an easy job- circle round the cows and then follow them back to wherever they are being collected, that gives them a job to do, lets them see the world a bit and gives them a chance to open up some. I was riding Gus for this part, which was good fun- he has an amazing amount of spring in his back when he trots. He also wants to race everyone and run about until he has had a canter, after which he mellowed out a whole lot.
Fetching the cattle in.
Having got them corralled, we changed over to more experienced horses to split the cows out and move them into another area, sending back any of the calves that were trying to come through. When the cows are going to push past they tend to surge so those of us who weren't "on" and working a cow at that time were holding the line and turning them back when they started coming through.
Fred, who I'm sharing a room with, turning a cow.
"Now Ben, these here are called cattle and you need to sort 'em."
You know you're going to do OK when Chewie is your copilot.
Useful tip- if you're going to trot or canter make sure you are going away from the cow. Get the cow stopped from returning to the herd before you try to move them out to where you need them put.
It took all day to finish the job, so we headed home, stopping for lunch/dinner on the way, and then home into a Tornado Warning. Fortunately, no Tornado here, unfortunately, the moment I went out to invite Pierre, our fellow student who is staying with his wife and son in a motor home, to come into the house was the single wettest part of the storm. Yes, since you ask, I did get damp.
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Date: 12 Feb 2009 20:04 (UTC)On another note, aren't they sweet little horses! They look about the same sort of size as my ponio.
Really enjoying the updates. :)