Heifers were gathered and we moved them along…
Once we had made it the mile to the graveled county road, things were easy. Wyoming has what is known as official stock drives. Even the paved highway I live on is a stock drive. That usually means that fences are set well back from road edges, giving livestock access to grass and water as they move along these roads. Every few miles can be found fenced pens, which allows you to rest the livestock over night. Livestock on roads at night is a definite no-no. Trailing cows along a stock drive is usually easy barring rude drivers and extra livestock that wants to join the parade.
At one point, the road makes a large Y and there is plenty of hill and grass. Brandon’s crew had to leave early and Daniel’s crew hadn’t quite caught up from taking a break for lunch. That meant when the heifers stalled out, Bravo and Indy could be put to work. Precision cow dogs, they are not… but if you want animals to move… they can do that… kind of!
Zoom!
Yee-haw!
Whoop, whoop!
Once they were started over the hill, we backed off… such zoomies aren’t proper technique for moving stock.
I did have an enlightened moment though. Bravo gets in trouble at the back of the herd for going to the head of the cow, which, basically, turns the cow around. Part of that is instinct, going to the head or the heels is like being right or left handed. You’ll probably never make a heading dog a heeler.
But… I got to thinking… Ever since Johnny Greet quit riding… I became Trail Boss. You *always* need a Trail Boss. They’re the one that rides at the front of the herd. Every single time you move cows, somebody needs to be up front WHERE YOU STAY. Oh, you’ll let part of the herd trail by you if you’re blocking the wrong turn or keeping them from running into a neighbor’s pond… but then the side riders should ride up and take your place so you can scoot back up to the lead. THERE MUST ALWAYS BE SOMEONE IN THE LEAD. It doesn’t necessarily look like you’re doing much, but you are. You’re giving direction to the herd, opening gates, slowing down the lead so the slower cows catch up, and encouraging cows without calves to turn around and go back for their calves they’ve forgotten. Believe me, the riders at the back will appreciate it if a cow comes back to find her calf! You’re setting the pace for the drive. It’s very important! Of course, the side riders have to be paying attention to come help you if necessary, keeping things lined out and discouraging bad behavior! The tail end was where I spent years with my kids, eating dust and pollen, chasing runback calves and dog-fighting old cows. But I’ve been Trail Boss for years. Like… Bravo’s entire life and beyond.
That’s when it hit me. How come I didn’t see it before? As Trail Boss, I’m in the lead. I may be alongside for the front third of the herd, but always close to the front. What does my dog need to do? He needs to turn wayward grazing cattle back to the trail. He needs to encourage them to move along FROM THE SIDE because that’s where I’ve been riding his entire life. Biting their heels has not been the logical place for him to bite. This past year I’ve been relegated to the rear since I’m not on horseback. Even before, I’d encourage Daniel or Brandon to take a turn at the lead, and I’d go to the back with my dogs who would then get in trouble for running alongside and/or going to the head.
Now, I’m not saying my dogs are good cow dogs… they don’t get the experience like my old dogs used to when I went riding every time… but I’ve finally come to understand that Bravo, especially, has been worked in the lead as a Trail Boss dog and he does a good job of it. Unfortunately, there’s few times I can be a Trail Boss in my sxs or even a side rider… but when it comes to wide stock drives… I can! I can be up there and it works for the tiniest bit before someone on horseback has to zoom up and take my place because of the terrain. I’m sure I probably irritate the cowboys but it’s difficult to give up your old jobs sometimes!
I’d just like to apologize to Bravo for not understanding why he just won’t heel and apologize to the cowboys for having a dog that messes things up and I’d like to give a shoutout to the official stock drives when they’re nice enough to let me be a Trail Boss again for a minute or two!
This was such a great post – very informative and interesting. Give
Bravo and Indy a special “pet” from my ES, Sandy!