Working the “Register” (Cha-Ching!)

Last week we got to get back in the saddle (really) and work with the registered Hereford cattle (the cattle that are red and white).  Because these are registered cattle, it is easier for them to be worked through a chute instead of by roping and dragging the calves, (like the commercial calves were worked in the last working calves post.)

When registering these calves there is a lot of paperwork involved, tracking the Tattoo/ID numbers, the bull’s number, the cow’s number, and making note of whether or not the calves have horns. In addition to this paperwork, the calves are also receiving four different shots, an ear notch, a tattoo number, and are providing a DNA sample. In short, there are a lot of moving parts going on, not to mention the moving and squirming of the calf. Because of all of this, it is easier to work the Hereford calves using a chute.

After all the Hereford calves were run through the chute, we had three “loose ends” to tie up!  There were three Angus (black) commercial calves that still needed to be worked. After these three were caught in the pens, we had our first-ever opportunity to attempt to rope the calves.

Miraculously, (insert sigh of relief,) each one of us roped a calf and dragged it to where the cowboys were working! Successfully roping and dragging a calf, while on horseback,  was a very exciting ending to a very fun day.