Zen and the Art of Cattle Sorting

The stereotype of cowboys as knowing just ridin' and ropin' and pistols is manifestly wrong.  Working with cattle takes some logistics within the corrals.  Sorting means which pens to use for the beginning herd, how they will be sorted, who's manning what gate, and where the cutbacks go.

Last weekend I assisted with the family sorting, operating a single gate, for that best fit my intellectual level, heehee.  During the process I noted some lessons and observations to share.

The trick to working cattle is calm.  Cowboy stays calm, steers stay calm.  Quieter livestock is easier to sort than when all riled up.  Nothing is gained by agitating them.

With that in mind, stuffing a whole alleyway with cattle doesn't work.  Better to sort smaller packets of around 20 head.

One man on horseback and another on foot can sort an alley effectively.  The horse has to be well used to the confined conditions.

With each member of the crew at a specific task, and the whole process understood, the sorting became a well-oiled machine.  I opened the gate to let a packet of 20 into the alley, then after closing the two in the alley sorted according to the brands and the colors of ear tags.  Two other gatekeepers opened and closed their gates according to the calls from the rider.

While one packet was being sorted, two more riders brought another packet of 20 head behind me.  As soon as one little bunch was done, I opened the gate and the process repeats.

After about 4-5 bunches were done, a fresh rider on a fresh horse was swapped in.  This gives the prior rider and horse a break as the animal may lose patience with the tight movements.

Sorting off 1-2 head of a brand is typical; 3-4 is a bonus.

With this workflow, each packet took only around five minutes.  We were done much sooner than expected.

A Fitting Tribute

This Lee Ranch cattle sort was between me and the brothers' steers and my cousins'.  The two gatekeepers opened their gates to the calls of "Al" or "Toppy", my Dad or my Uncle.  Both men passed away earlier this year.

I believe they were just tickled to see their ranch operations working well.

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