by Jan Fielden
Last week was a “working the cows” week. The Colonel wanted to move them from one pasture to another. He thought we would be able to start our feeding routine a little later than normal, because there was still some grass…in fact, a lot of grass. So, he goes through the gate that is in the North East 50 pasture. Got through it OK as the cows were up at the very top of this pasture and making no move to come see him.
He went into the Hay Meadow through the gate in the pasture, left the gate opened and gave his call to the cows. They always come when he calls them. They were thrilled beyond belief when they realized what was going on. They came at a run. The older cows got there first and went through the gate into the Meadow without stopping. Some of the newer cows looked it over first but went on in.
Now we have the calves. Calves are the cutest little things but they are also harder to work because they have never been through any of the routine. They stop at the gate, look at it from side to side, take a step back, try to decide do I need to do this or not, and I have never been through this gate in my whole life, maybe not just this gate but any gate. Then the calves move back up to the gate, look from side to side and then dart through the gate. After getting through the gate, they look once more from side to side, kick up their heels if they didn’t do that in the first place, and run off to find their Momma to let her know all about their experience! Red Oak calves are the cutest and bravest.
