The Madigan Squeeze.
“She doesn’t want to nurse and I had to tube her to get milk down her.” The words were uttered casually as he lifted the tiny heifer calf into the…
Read moreNothing New
We are never teaching a horse to do anything they don’t already know how to do. We may be teaching them to do it when asked. Or showing them how…
Read moreChecking Fence
The cows have been locked in the corral for a few weeks now. It isn’t so much that we want them in as that we can’t get them out. The…
Read moreWomen’s Work
When working cattle everyone has a job to do. These jobs are assigned based on everyone’s skills and where they can best be used. Granted it doesn’t always work out…
Read moreKindness Always Wins
The kids have been working with their bottle calves. each child has a calf they are going to show in 4H. Each child is supposed to be training their calf…
Read moreThe Calves Got Out
The Calves got out. Not in a bad way. Just on the other side of the fence. It’s good that they are grazing that part. It would be better if…
Read moreLife Lessons Learned While Working Cattle
Going slow is the best way to go fast. When we rush to get a job done it always takes twice as long. When we run the cattle or hurry…
Read moreGreeting Neighbors
Ice crystals hung heavy in the air, circling the moon in a ring of light. The evening check on the cows was cold. We bundled up as best we could…
Read moreWorking Cow Horse, Cookies Required!
So what does it look like to work a ranch horse who is trained using positive reinforcement? I spent the morning sorting cattle and had plenty of time to ponder…
Read moreChivalry, Cattle Tricks 101
Chivalry isn’t dead. It just looks a little different on the ranch. It isn’t that farmers and ranchers aren’t romantic and sweet. They just express it in different ways. Flowers…
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