by Jan Fielden
A couple of weeks ago, we had a round-up at the Red Oak. The grass was green and very tall in the trap and the corral. Perfect time! We had put the herd in the NorthEast Pasture for a couple of days and they enjoyed it but got a little bit restless right before we opened the gate.
When they came out, they were confused as to what and where they were supposed to go. So, the Colonel gave his famous (to the cows) call and they decided to follow us. We were driving fast, slow, fast, etc. Caught all of them up and they followed us like good little cows.
They went in the trap just like they always do, but some of the ones who have been through this routine several times were on to what was going to happen next. They kept their eyes on the gate and some actually made a move over closer to the gates, none got out but no more would go in that way.
We moved down to the gate into the corral and left it wide open, hoping some would go in. That was OK but not everyone would go in. The Colonel decided to bring some of the left over bale of hay that hadn’t been eaten and placed it in the middle of the corral. True to form, the cows that went in, even with all the green grass in the corral, went to the left over hay and started chowing down. They had already eaten the hay we put out in the trough for them and were feasting on left overs. We were able to get all the ones we wanted without a whole lot of trouble.
Good day for the Red Oak Ranch
