Asking of Our Cattle

By: Ted Howard, Production Animal Consultation

We have all been told to do something at one time or another. We have also all been “asked” to do the same thing. Our reaction and follow through to being “asked” is normally more genuine and compliant than being told. I have found that cattle react in much the same manner as we do when they are “asked” versus being made or forced.

As I work with some talented stockmen and women in feedlots, we discuss proper horsemanship. We work towards developing better habits with our feet and hands to build our horse’s confidence in us. Once that confidence has been established, our horses are quiet with low headsets and easy movements that help build the confidence in the cattle we handle.

The next step we discuss in building on our stockmanship principles is to know how to properly “ask” of our cattle. Whether we are pulling a sick calf, emptying a pen or sorting cattle in an alley, we need to be aware of the proper angles that are required to be successful in each situation.

When we want to “ask” cattle to move we must put pressure behind their eye. Once they begin to move we need to stay at approximately a 30-degree angle and not directly behind them “pushing”. If we are between a calf and the gate we can slightly angle toward the calf’s hip and move his eye toward the gate versus moving around to the other side and pushing him out of the gate.

When we are empting pens, we “ask” our cattle to leave by starting the front end of the pen by applying pressure at the correct angle. These first cattle to be “asked” out of their pen take the rest of the pen out by their steady flow. This prevents us from having to push or force them out of their pen. “Asking” these cattle to leave in a calm, confident manner prepares them to be “asked” onto a scale or truck or into a processing area much easier.

Finally, when we are sorting cattle in an alley, we “ask” these cattle to pass by or remain in the herd by proper position of our horse. How close we are to the cattle depends on the amount of pressure they can handle. The closer we are to them the more pressure it puts on them. Therefore more sensitive cattle will not tolerate a horse being as close as those cattle that aren’t as sensitive.

Every one of us appreciates being “asked” to do something instead of being told. Cattle and horses are no different. If we keep that in mind, our jobs will be much easier and more rewarding.