[Victoria Reck Barlow]

About these photos:

Rick, Ike’s new teamster, got to know Ike when Rick built the Cow Palace and fenced the pasture-to-be. Rick fell in love. Before long he had carved a yoke for Ike (the sheet metal gladiator look is a repair to the pine prototype), created a harness, and had taken up the goad. Patient Ike did his best to understand Rick’s newbie commands, because he loves Rick right back. Now the two work well as a team.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Swanzey, one of Ike’s former personal assistants has turned her hand to training a team of young goats. Little Meg and Beth came to the New Year’s celebration in the back of Deb’s car, and practiced their gees and haws in the forest.

Kellie prefers to ride horses, but Bright will do in a pinch. Star prefers to lick everything in sight.

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Thank you for putting Lucky through his paces for us, Ivy!

I have some photos, but the address I used was too sketchy to get the disk to you. Would you e-mail me the right one? CircleoftheSunNH@aol.com.

All best to you,
Victoria

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your taking the time to spell it all out, and give me a verbal picture.

It sounds like you have a wonderfully trusting, willing steer — a testimony to a lot of care, and thoughtful work. I wonder what you’ll be up to next!

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Ixy: More details, please! What are you attaching the reins to — halter, bridle, something else? Do you use a bit? Also, are you using a saddle? How did you arrive at the equipment you have decided to use? Did you try some things and reject them? Also, how do you get up there?

Does the belly band need to be ultra tight? Do you use the goad/crop in addition to reins? How did you train to the reins?

Please tell more!

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Ixy, what are you using for control? Reins or goad? For a steer trained to a goad, do you think reins are necessary?

thanks!

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Here is a progress report, in the hopes that some of this may be useful to others with teenage steers . . .

The other day Tiger, a teamster friend, gave me two useful pictures/tools to carry in my head. First, I had been thinking of the boys’ behavior as that of “the terrible twos” — as a mom, I get that. It’s more helpful, however, for me to think of them as teenagers — testing their big strong bodies, seeking independence, yet also secretly wanting limits. As the mom of a teenager, I really get that!

I made a round pen, of sorts, out of some sheep netting, and once in a while we go around and around and around in it. The team relaxes, as if to say “this is all we can do, so let’s just do it.” The real value of the exercise, I think, is for me to see how they do prefer to have their human in control — despite all their big talk to the contrary. I have ramped up my patience, and locked in my strong will. So much of this is about training me . . .

The other tool Tiger shared was the idea of “timing.” This is old hat to most of you, I bet, and I know Tiger has said it to me before, but this time I finally get what he means. Now that they are brawny teenagers, I absolutely have to be one step ahead of them at all times, reading their minds and bodies so that I can be there before I have to be. Tiger talks about being there before the steer even has a chance to formulate the idea — my job, to read the steer’s body and the situation to catch him that far in advance. It’s a completely absorbing challenge, and I love every minute of it.

And we’re REALLY working on “whoa.” My goal is to have Ivy’s total voice control!

Everyone’s comments have been so helpful — please keep the thoughts and ideas coming. Tiger says this stage can last as long as two years. I need every bit of your wisdom!

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Paul said: “If you’re going to go back to basics, go back to whoa. Do nothing but drill the command whoa for a month.”

Paul, and others, what does this look like? Would you give me some specific examples of how you would drill “whoa”? I want to do this, and need fresh ideas.

And everyone, thank you for the reassurance, and for all the good advice.

It puzzles me that each steer is so compliant when we practice commands one-on-one, and given to spurts of naughtiness when we do the exact same things with them yoked.

(Actually, I think it is the nigh steer who is naughtiest, and the ringleader. His brother is much more contemplative, and I think would be happy to follow directions. Should I increase the time I spend working with the nigh steer, even though he is pretty near perfect when he is by himself? I think he is the boss boy — the off steer lets him eat first. If I want to bring them in from far away, I halter the off steer and naughty boy will follow close behind, so as not to miss a thing. If I halter the naughty boy and walk away, the off steer doesn’t care if we leave the area.)

Our back-to-basics work has taken place only within the pasture — I’m not trusting them in the woods or on the road. It’s when we’re near those pasture exits that they get excitable and forget “whoa.”

To my eye, they have a mighty nice space, with plenty of feed, shade, a pond, nooks and crannies, close proximity to the house in one area — what more could a steer want? Are they bored? Should I do the woods work anyway? It’s a big patch of forest.

Is it possible that they’re homesick for their buddies? They spend the fall and winter at another location, several miles distant, with a mixed 60-head herd of cows, babies, teenagers — during the deep winter months they’re inside part of each day, with the 6-12 barn cows.

I’ve liked this arrangement, so far, for the summer convenience and because they do get the herd time for part of the year, and learn bovine manners, and then have only themselves the rest of the time, to strengthen their attachment to each other and to me.

Plus, my parrot now says “come up” and “whoa” and “hey boys” and, as of today, he also moos. All of this, I assure you, is self-taught. Maybe there is a place for working parrots?

Again, I really appreciate the help. They are lovely boys, and I know they are redeemable. “Whoa” sounds like a great place to focus. Tips?

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Rod, if it were me I’d go with your first instincts — introduce new things slowly, and give your boys a chance to get acclimated to their new home.

I’d spend tomorrow handling them — grooming, lifting feet, walking with one on a halter (allowing the other one to stay close if he wants). The next several days I’d groom them, and then put them in the yoke and walk further afield — give them a tour of your place, stopping frequently and just standing with them, so they can look around and take it all in. I’d talk or sing, praise good behavior, and scratch necks a lot.

I’d give them a little treat of grain at the beginning of each session together, so they associate good things with you. I’d make sure that each day was successful, and ended on a good note. Along with the yoke time, I’d also try to fit in as many halter sessions as possible, to build a relationship with each boy individually (so long as I could do it in a way that didn’t provoke anxiety in the one not being worked).

After a week or so, you will know them much better, and feel more comfortable with them, and they will have developed some trust in you. Then when you ask them to navigate with a light load, you will feel more confident, and they will sense that in you.

At three years, these boys have some life experience, and expectations. It’s reasonable that they might be wary, and they also have to find their place with your other livestock. Because cattle are so conscious of their surroundings, they’re going to be overwhelmed for a while — as you know. Taking it slowly can’t hurt, and I think it really helps in the long run.

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

And I was embarassed to admit that the big team loves it when I sing to them!

A made-up song, that uses their names frequently, and describes what we’re doing . . . as you might sing to little children.

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

More feedback for you, Rod —
I work with two teams. The pair of big, mature guys (11 yrs old, not trained by me) prefer me to be out in front, unless they feel very relaxed and confident about their surroundings, and don’t expect to be surprised by what I’m going to ask of them. I’m convinced its because they both can see me, that way. Likely its how they were trained and originally worked, mostly for logging.
The young pair (13 months old) of Milking Shorthorns isn’t so set in their ways. If we’re going through a narrow opening, for example, I can tell them to “go ahead” and fall back behind them, drive from behind, then come back up to beside the yoke when the pathway is wide enough again. Once in a while I work these boys singly in a hackamore, driving with rope reins from behind. They’re willing, but we all feel like I’m very far away. Carl wrote about how steers and oxen rely on their teamster’s body language — when I’m in the back, they can’t read me, and they’re a little distressed.
Vicki wrote about taking some time to get to know your team, and I really agree. First, they’re making a huge adjustment to their new home. I’ve been watching a new cow take almost half a year to finally get comfortable with the rest of the herd, to lose her meekness and stand tall. Your boys have so much new information to absorb and process. It’s hard work!
And they have to get used to how you handle them, compared to the person who trained them. That big team I mentioned? It took me at least a year to feel like I knew what was going on in each boy’s head.
You’re going to be together for a long time — for now, going slow and focusing on developing trust will pay off. Bring special treats and give lots of neck scratching, and they’ll do anything for you.
Rockingham isn’t all that far from Swanzey. Let me know if I can be of any help.

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Thank you for giggling —

I happen to be Buck and Ike’s personal assistant. My husband is the one behind the camera — he helped the big guys find their voices.

Buck and Ike have done wonderful things for our town. As ambassadors of open space protection, they promote conserving Swanzey’s special places. As the biggest stars in “The Old Homestead” (the third longest running outdoor theatrical production in the country!) they inspire increased attendance. And as Swanzey’s biggest rural characters, well — they have a lot to say. One thing’s for sure: they love little children, and little children love them. It’s a delight to see.

You experienced teamsters will notice a surfeit of groceries. It is the down side of a desk job, and a source of worry, but given the free-range pasture, not something we’re going to easily control. I just try to keep them off the pavement and hope for the best.

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

And here’s another wrinkle: The way Anne describes the difference between her Brown Swiss and Simmental steers could equally describe the difference between the two half-brother Milking Shorthorns I’m working with. So along with characteristics of the breed, there also are personality types to account for as well!

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Hi, Matt —

Congratulations on your boys! It sounds like you’re off to a great start.

My Milking Shorthorns just turned a year old, and I’ve been having so much fun with them.

What helps me the most: learning more about what steers are capable of. Is there any way you can mess around with an experienced, well-trained team? Better yet, can you attend one of the Conroy/Huppe workshops? Also really helpful is watching teamsters in action in the handy classes at fairs. The Conroy/Huppe DVD is chock full of useful tips.

People will tell you to devote some time every day to training, and that seems right to me. It’s easy to do if you count all contact time as training — moving the guys singly in halters, picking up feet, anything you do with them to strengthen your connection to them. Try to get inside their heads, so you know how they think and can predict how they’ll respond to different situations. True confessions, here: my Labrador retriever taught me that food is a powerful motivator! I keep a supply of apple chunks on hand to reward extra good behavior.

Please keep us posted on your progress!

all best,
Victoria

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Thanks so much, Anne, for the clear picture and specific steps. Now I know what to do until the steers are big enough to bear my weight as a rider. For starters, more time with the hackamore! And lots more brushing. Too much fun.

all best,
Victoria

[Victoria Reck Barlow]

Thanks, Neil —
My boys are about 600 lbs each, and almost 11 months old. They are as tame as puppies, so that part should be easy! At 120 pounds, am I too heavy for them? How will I know if I am? Should I recruit a neighborhood child? Start with a gunny sack full of beans? Truly, we also do other, more legitimate activities — but this one is too funny to pass by.

Victoria

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