Author : Sebastian Marders
Anybody who has watched the movie “City Slickers,” starring Billy Crystal and the archetypal cowboy, the late Jack Palance, would agree that life is not a bed of roses for these cattle-herders who have been much glorified
First and foremost, cowboys are blue-collar workers They feed the animals, brand or earmark the young And there are horses to take care of, ensuring that their well-being is kept up as the livestock is his life Add the back-breaking job of patrolling his range, rain or shine, to check for fence breaks, predators or round up stray animals, and some city slickers really would cry
Family-run cattle outfits are the most challenging where the cowboys have to be an all-around hand Cattle had to be moved from one pasture site to another There may be a long cattle drive if mass transport of animals is only available at some distant stations, as was the case in Texas during the early days of the cattle ranch
Still, there is the task of herding the animals to corrals and eventually coaxing the sometimes stubborn cattle into the hauling transport vehicles And back at the ranch are odd jobs to be done, mending broken fences, equipment maintenance, and some bucking broncos to train for yet another ride back to the rangeland
For despite the availability of motorized transport, horses remain as the working companion even for the modern cowboy On horseback, cowboys can travel through terrain most vehicles cannot Having a good, well-trained horse puts the cowboy in a much better position to accomplish his many tasks His mount should not only be a pack animal but likewise an adept ally while roping and herding cattle The cowboy’s steed has to have the instincts to be in sync with what his master is doing as they try to corral or herd cattle
Recognizing what makes a good horse that can meet the specific demands of a cattle ranch requires some skill And here’s where the talent of a horse whisperer is most sought after to be able tell if a mount has the right instincts or a certain measure of “cow sense” in recognizing or anticipating the behavior and movement of cattle
But generally, horses for roping are larger and heavier to match the weight of adult cattle on a rope Those just for calf roping or herding need to be smaller and quicker Stock horses are usually of a small size, which is why the American quarterhorse is often found in most ranches
To efficiently work with a horse for long periods, a western saddle is used This deep saddle, with high pommel and cantle, is so designed not only for a secure mount but also to enable quick movement of the rider as he works the movement of a herd Complementing this type of saddle are deep and wide stirrups for foot security and comfort
One motor vehicle sometimes used in ranches instead of horses is the four-wheeler or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) Cowboys on snowmobiles may also be seen prowling with a few cattle on snowbound ranches but these are all rare and exceptions
The pick-up truck is the motor vehicle most often used in modern cattle ranches Designed with high ground clearance, it is robust and spacious enough to carry supplies on errands from the town In addition, a pick-up could pull a trailer either to move cattle or haul a horse that would take the cowboy for yet another long and tough cattle ride
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