Bringing Cattle to Your Barn
Horse and Rider|Spring 2020
Keeping cows at home is a natural fit for riders interested in cattle events. Here are a few things to know before you bring cattle to your horse barn.
KATIE NAVARRA
Bringing Cattle to Your Barn

Practicing for roping, sorting, working cow horse, or any cattle class is challenging without, well, cattle. That was one reason Bill Riel and fiancée Emma Reichert decided to introduce cows to their small horse farm in Mechanicville, New York. Riel team roped, Reichert competed in breakaway roping, and their one boarder was learning to box and sort cattle. So expanding the hobby farm to include about a dozen head of cattle just seemed to make sense, and as a bonus provided the opportunity for additional income through beef sales.

Success with cattle, as with any livestock, starts with planning. That includes breed selection, fencing, and developing an understanding of the basic needs of the species. Here, you’ll find advice for choosing a breed suited for your goals, purchasing your animals, selecting fencing and housing, and providing care—all information that will help you in your plan to bring cattle to your horse barn.

What Type of Cattle?

There are more than 80 breeds of cattle readily available in the U.S., each developed for a different purpose. Most have their own registry and website, where you can research breed characteristics to see how they might fit your farm plans.

Ashley Wright of the Cochise County Cooperative Extension in Willcox, Arizona, says how you intend to use the cattle is the most important factor when deciding which breed to buy. The breeds most commonly used for beef, dairy, roping, or other cattle events differ significantly, she notes.

“If you’re looking to raise your own beef, you’ll want to consider breeds such as Angus, Hereford, Charolais, or Simmental,” she recommends. “Corriente cattle are the most popular breed for roping steers, while breeds such as Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, or Guernsey are common dairy breeds.”

For working cow horse and cutting events, Brahma cross and Charolais are popular choices.

この記事は Horse and Rider の Spring 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Horse and Rider の Spring 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

HORSE AND RIDERのその他の記事すべて表示
The Horse
Horse and Rider

The Horse

LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.

time-read
2 分  |
Fall 2024
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
Horse and Rider

Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test

The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.

time-read
4 分  |
Fall 2024
Love is Good
Horse and Rider

Love is Good

All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.

time-read
4 分  |
Fall 2024
HORSE PACKING 101
Horse and Rider

HORSE PACKING 101

Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.

time-read
6 分  |
Fall 2024
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Horse and Rider

NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS

Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.

time-read
8 分  |
Fall 2024
First-Timer Tips
Horse and Rider

First-Timer Tips

Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.

time-read
7 分  |
Fall 2024
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
Horse and Rider

Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story

One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.

time-read
3 分  |
Summer 2024
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Horse and Rider

The Country's Hottest Horse Motels

Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.

time-read
7 分  |
Summer 2024
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Horse and Rider

Outbreak! What We've Learned

Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.

time-read
8 分  |
Summer 2024
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Horse and Rider

TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE

Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.

time-read
8 分  |
Summer 2024