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Why Horses Are Better Than a Four-Wheeler
by Jeff Keane, click here for bio
Program: American Rancher
Date: August 10, 09
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Ranchers and cowboys know horses handle cattle better than an a four-wheeler but some people might not understand the actual reasons why. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back to fill you in.We always gathered our cattle with horses, but probably did too much corral work afoot. That foot work is getting less and less and I believe our cattle are responding to our horses by working easier and calmer. An article in Western Horseman magazine by Ross Hecox listed twelve reasons why ranchers, stockmen, and horsemen all across the west prefer using horses to round-up and work cattle. Here are just a few common sense thoughts shared by these riders. Curt Pate, horsemanship and stockmanship, clinician and rancher from South Dakota says horses give you an extra set of eyes gathering cattle in bushy country and a good horse lets you to focus totally on the cattle you are handling. Kansas Angus breeder Mark Gardiner cites that some areas are just to vast and rugged and require horses to get the work done. Our place is not large but it does fit the rugged definition, so our ranch-raised horses know how to handle the rocky, rugged country our cattle graze. Bill Kane, Eagle Point, Oregon believes roping sick cattle in big pastures quickly and treating them right there is less stressful for those animals. Buster Welch, Hall of Fame Horseman knows horses keep cattle calm while sorting individuals in the herd. With all of those knowledgeable riders it is all about less stress on the cattle. I agree, besides I never drove a four wheeler and motorcycles totally scare me. I'm Jeff Keane.
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