4wheelers Or Horses?
There’s a lot of friendly debate, mostly friendly, in the farming and ranching worlds as to whether horses are better or 4wheelers when it comes to working cows. Of course we all know horses are better. But, the humble 4wheeler has its place.
After spending the last two miserable hot days out all day working cows and building fence, I’ve come up with the best reason of all why 4wheelers are better, in some circumstances.
The cows were out. Not badly out, not on the road or into the neighbors. Just across the electric fence into grass I was saving for them for later. It was mid 90s. I thought briefly about saddling Rusty and taking him to put them back. Then I thought about the heat and loaded my trusty green mount of Japanese breeding and loaded her in the trailer instead. She panted? maybe she was well lathered if we’re comparing her to a horse. But she gave all she had. The fan running almost constantly and the heat of the engine coming up through the seat as we put the cows back. I let her sit in the shade under a tree and cool whenever I could.
When we got to the tank I tripped the float and drank the cool fresh water straight out of the ground. Soaked my hat and as much of me as I could without getting jeans wet. Even hot is better than wet jeans. Then turned to her and asked what it is a 4wheeler would like to feel better in this heat? If you were my horse I’d soak you down, help you cool off better. She sat, silent. I figured horses and 4wheelers can’t be completely different. Dipped water out of the tank with my cap and soaked her down a bit. Water sizzling as it hit the hot engine.
The cows were back where they belonged, but wouldn’t be staying now that they had discovered the lush grass next door. So it was back the next day to get a new pasture ready for them.
The morning was still cool as we made a quick lap turning on water and checking fence. She zipped along in the morning cool. Carrying my fence stretcher, barbwire, and tools with less difficulty than a horse would. We finished that job then went for the cows as the day warmed up.
She fit under the electric fence that a few of the cows had gone through again. I could goose the throttle a little standing next to her holding the fence up and she went off to the other side where she waited patiently for me to come get her. Then she happily went back again, allowing me to chase cattle on each side of the fence without going up to the gate. Crossing the freshly worked summer fallow she struggled a little in the deep footing. I switched on 4 wheel drive and she felt better. The dust bothered her less than it did me. She didn’t get tired fighting her way through it and had more to give still as the herd balled up at the gate.
With them finally moved I left her standing quietly, waiting patiently, while we went off to lunch.
After lunch the day had reached its full potential. Easily reaching the predicted mid to upper 90 degrees, surpassing that even to reach the low 100s. The seat burnt me through my jeans when I remounted. There were a couple jobs left to do. My fencing pliers burnt my hands as I built the last gate to finish the fencing projects of the day. My pulse beat heavily in me head. The water jug was back in the pickup. She sat quietly. Her only protest the heat of the seat when I got done and wanted to go back.
One more cow moving project and we would be done.
Even after working hard in the heat all day my trusty green mount was fresh and willing. The cows not so much. There was no way to explain that I was taking them to fresh pasture. All they knew was that it was hot and they didn’t want to leave their water tank. It was a hard push. Slowly insisting one cow move at a time. At least we were pushing on grass, not freshly worked dirt. The dust wasn’t awful.
The cows finally got to the gate. The leader perked up and trotted through on her own. The rest followed enthusiastically. They quickly spread down the draw, munching on the fresh selection of grass as they explored the new area. The sight of my cows, happy and content, made the whole day worth it. Yes, we could have waited for a cooler day, but this was when they decided to cause trouble. Cows don’t always wait for more opportune moments. Sometimes they demand things be done when they are ready, not when we are ready.
It’s for these times that a 4wheeler has the most to offer. The times when the work would be so hot and miserable for a horse. A 4wheeler gives us the option to not put a horse through the hot, long, dusty days. Not that those days aren’t important to the development of a really good horse. But, within reason and with out reaching a point of outright cruelty. So, I will be thankful for my trusty green mount and the work she puts in. Then on cool mornings like today, I will go saddle my horse and get less arduous jobs done.
