What does pushing cattle mean?
Moving cows/ pushing heifers: they both mean a cattle drive, but generally moving cows from one pasture to another is not called a cattle drive around here (southern Wyoming) unless it is a long drive, several miles or more.
"Tomorrow we need to push those bulls down to the Schoolhouse section," for example.
Ranch Hand: cowboy who performs other jobs as well as cattle care. He might run the irrigation system, fix broken machinery, do odd carpentry jobs around the place, drive tractor during haying season, etc.
The kids' friend, Heidi, keeping her side in line. It was a very cold day to be riding. She did good for being a city kid! She so enjoys the ranch lifestyle, and has been staying with us the last few days to get a taste of calving season.
We just didn't have enough kids' horses for this cattle drive, so about halfway through the drive, Frank climbed off his pony and Jenni took his place. She wasn't about to miss out on riding with Dad! She takes to this ranch life like a fish to water.
Why don't you take the toddlers riding with you?
We lost a son in a drowning accident many years ago, so we are extra cautious with our remaining kids. We know how quickly an ordinary day can turn deadly and change your life forever. Yes, we trust God with our children but we also believe it is our duty as parents to use a sensible, yet safety-conscious attitude with kids.
For this reason, awe do not put little kids on rank colts, or even young broke horses. We have seen too many experienced ranchers get lifelong injuries from an unexpected event with a horse. Even as careful as we are, we have had instances where an old broke horse gets spooked at a rabbit or stick or some such thing, and completely blew up.
We especially do not put toddlers on horses alone, ponied or not. The crushing grief of losing a child is something I never want to face again. All the platitudes, knowledge, and cliches in the world do not replace a curly-hair boy who runs to the door with a huge smile and arms outstretched "Daddy!!" he yells happily.
We will be a bit on the paranoid side to avoid that sort of loss.
Ranch life goes on
After the were finished moving the heifers, they unsaddled and came in to warm up and eat a hot meal. I think spring in Wyoming is one of the hardest times on the ranch. While it is getting close to the end of winter, the winds start blowing with a vengeance about February or march, and the air is still frigid.
The heifers are calving in the middle of storms, and they need checked hourly. But, seasons roll on, ranch hands keep getting up and attending heifers, moving cattle, feeding heavies.
First published Feb 10, 2013. Updated March, 2024.
It looks like a cold day to be riding!
Way to go kiddos!! They're tougher than we give'm credit for a lot of the time! 😉
I want to come visit you after reading this post! 🙂