by Jan Fielden
We have a “gang” living on the ranch. There are eight members of them all together and they don’t try to hide out either! I am talking about a gang of steers. We have more than the eight but the eight have banded together and go everywhere together. The morning when I noticed them, I happened to look out the bedroom window and saw them running full blast towards the lake. I really thought something must be chasing them because I hadn’t seen them act this way before. They even got the cows and the Range Bull to move over and give them room to run.
They ran in a straight line, one behind the other, kicking up their heels almost in unison. It was fun to watch them running and when they slowed to a stop, they all walked over to the feeder, got some salt and then walked down to the lake to get a drink. Since they had headed towards the lake to begin with, I wondered why they turned and went to the feeder. I can’t tell who the leader is because they run in different patterns, i.e., one behind the other or sometimes in a straight line out to the side. Reminds me of Western Movies where the outlaws or good guys ride in that same kind of side straight line.
Not all the steers belong to this group and I wonder how they feel about “not being asked to join”. All of them are about the same size and age. Suddenly I thought of the fact they will be going to market in the very near future and their gang will be over! These also belong to the “Cousins” group which makes it especially nice to see they are all living it up at the Red Oak Ranch.
