A Week of Colts, Conventions, and Calf Tables
#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk
This past week I had the honor of working with our neighbor who is a well-known horse trainer and colt-starter. She taught me a lot about the anatomy and psychology of horses and how to implement that knowledge when training. The psychology of horses is a major influence in how they react and behave in certain situations. I also got to visit Cody, WY and attend the Wyoming Stock Growers Association convention and trade show. From this event, I heard from some wonderful guest speakers. My favorite speaker talked about character development and leadership tactics, and how they are used in everyday life instead of just what people may consider a “leadership role”. It was an inspiring talk that will help me lead myself through my own challenges. My host also showed me some math calculations that he does for measuring how much grass will be eaten by their livestock in a day. This week, I also helped feed and water our chicks and help spray castrated ram lambs to prevent tetanus infections from the soil.
I would challenge the math behind calculating grazing grass intake for livestock and using that number to decide how long of a time to leave cattle on a grass pasture. This math is inaccurate because the pastures do not have consistent grass growth throughout. The math only makes sense for harvested feed, when you can weigh out grass and keep the feed amount constant. I believe that for grazing cattle, it is easier and more accurate to check grazing regularly instead of relying on math. They [the host] normally do not use math, but explained it to me for teaching purposes.
The host farm does not use dewormers on livestock; they instead use diatomaceous earth to help prevent parasitic infections. I have not been present for any stool tests, however I wonder how effective this method is at controlling parasitic infections compared to anthelmintics. I would like to know why they do not vaccinate for tetanus in their livestock, and if this helps them make more profit from meat sales?
This week I spent a lot of time at the neighbors ranch, and went with them to the vet. At the vet, I was present for the artificial insemination process on a Mare, and for a surgical wolf teeth removal in two horses. These vet visits taught me a lot about the upkeeping of horses and a breeding operation. The increase in horse skills that I learned this week will help me safely handle horses and understand the work that it takes to train a horse. I also helped the neighbors brand their calves. They used a calf table which was completely different from the several brandings I have been to. I think that their method was a lot simpler and faster than some other methods. I will remember and implement some of their management and handling tactics in the future.
| Submitted by: Teagan Halsey Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team |
