How To Enjoy Life On A Ranch - Raising Cattle

1. 77

   frogdroppingposted 13 years ago

   How To Enjoy Life On A Ranch - Raising Cattle

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   ralwusposted 13 years ago

   One must first be a meat eater, not a member of PETA, love horses and all livestock, be able to do hard work for long hours 7/365, enjoy all four seasons, and a must is being able to throw cow chips like frisbees. Also adept at riding horses and using a lassoo and branding iron. Whips, boots and hat are optional as are chaps and tobacco spitting or smoking. BBQing is a time honored tradition as well as enjoying a Rodeo now and again. Must be able to build a campfire and shoot coyotes and other varmints like snakes and rustlers. Also the knowledge of helping a cow give birth is mighty handy and will be used a lot on the range. Must also know how to mend fences and eat crow now and again. How's that Andria?

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      EmpatheticAdvisorposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I like your answer, it has humor laced in it.

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3. 58

   sushewposted 13 years ago

   I enjoy raising cattle. Now is a great time as the cows and calves are still on pasture, and harvest has yet to start, which means I have hours to ponder the beauty of the country I live in. I ride purebred horses for work and pleasure. They make my life easier, as they run much faster than I. My horse and I make a great team to sort cows, treat sick or injured cattle, and move cattle to different pastures.
   To enjoy raising cattle, one must be tough, have a heart of gold and a vast knowledge of veterinary medicine, if not book learned then it is soon learned from experience.
   Another aid to enjoying raising cattle is a good cow dog. Tippy is the best cow dog I have ever owned. She saves me hours every week, as she will sort out a cow, move a herd down the road, chase a mean bull and get him off my butt, and then follow my horse and I as we range the mountains looking for wandering cows, or lost calves.
   
   Calving time is my favourite time of year, albeit the time of year I get little sleep. Cows are notorious for giving birth in the middle of the night on the coldest night of the year. Living in Alberta the coldest night can easily be minus 30 degrees. Knowing how to straighten out a crooked calf while still inside the cow is a must, as is knowing when to assist and when not to. While this is all hard work, it is the greatest reward I can have to see a live calf and content cow after a difficult birth. And even losing sleep is worthwhile when both critters are healthy as I sit and watch the northern lights play across the vast sky in the wee hours of the morning.
   
   Do I love cattle, most definitely! But I also love eating meat - which makes raising top quality cattle a source of great pride for my life's  work.

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4. 61

   EmpatheticAdvisorposted 11 years ago

   I see you have several answers, one a little humorous, and one a little more detailed.
   
   Truly, just about anyone can enjoy life on a ranch while raising cattle.
   
   However, first of all you have to like and even love animals, especially the cattle.
   
   Another attribute that would be good to have is being independent. since much of the work is just you and the cows most of the time. The ability to do a job by yourself is a must, even if you do have some help.
   
   As far as needing to be able to ride a horse, yes this is nice, but anymore not a must. With the advent of ATV's if you train your cattle to handle with one, you can move them most places with one, and do the final sort in a good set of gated corrals.
   
   I have taken care of cattle afoot, a horseback and on an ATV. All methods work depending on the job. They must, as I been involved in raising cattle for the past 32 years,the first 11 on my step dad's place and the last 2 with my husband, and I am still doing it.
   
   Good luck!

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