When we vaccinate the calves, we put moms and babies in the corral first, then separate the cows out through a gate. They can go graze while we’re vaccinating their babies. Brandon and I work the gate with our long flags, turning calves back and letting cows go through. I think we work well together. The other adults push bunches up to us and we continue to sort. Sometimes, however, there’s a sneaky calf dedicated to following his mom out the gate.
Ugh. We will have to get on our horses again and go look for the escapee… unless…
I jog over to where the kids have taken up positions in the shade. “Hey, could some of you put your bridles back on and go look for the calf that got through?” Various affirmatives were my answer. Cool.
Now. It can be awfully difficult to bring a calf back when it’s looking for its mom. Of course, the majority of the cows were still around the corral. Did I really think the kids could do this? I thought they’d find it. I thought they’d try very hard to bring it. I don’t know that I’d gamble on their success. But I’m always willing to give kids a chance for learning. Confidence builders are important.
Brandon and I sorted out more cows. Then, fairly quickly, here came the cowboys. I think it was the girls that spotted the calf first. Brandon and I ducked out the gate quickly to be in the right position, and the four kids brought a cow and calf back through the gate. Perfect! Calves will follow a cow, even if it’s not their mom and it’s easier to sort out a cow than force a lone calf in a gate. Success!
Well done!
We soon switched to corral work and each kid pitched in.
Maybe they won’t notice the opportunities for success. Maybe they won’t remember anything about this day. But maybe the accumulation of good times, support, chances, and a quiet fist bump or high five will pay off in the long run. Maybe they will end up with this red dirt in their soul… that’s all I can pray for.
Find me here!
You are so good and wise giving them these opportunities to thrive and grow. I’m sure that red dirt will be inside them. They just may not realise it yet.
They don’t realize that their self confidence has been raised. They just knew that you thought they could do it, so they did.
They seem to be on the ‘red dirt’ path! Great job kids.
Lessons learned without realizing it. The young, so willing to help with high fives for reward… grwat job, Greet family, on raising the future of our blessed nation.
Way to go kiddos! I hope they love it! What a life!