Cleo Moves To The Summer Pasture
When the cattle herd was moved to the big summer pasture over an hour away, Cleo was left behind at the small pasture near our house. She was in labor the day of the cattle move, and her calf Bambi, was born the next day. They both stayed with us for a couple weeks and finally took their own trip to the summer pasture. First, Harland coaxed them into the barn with grain and then he backed the stock trailer up to the barn door and loaded them into separate pens for the ride to a smaller summer pasture closer to home.
Cleo loaded easily, but Bambi…..well, not so much.
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Whew! Bambi panicked and then tried to escape, so Harland had to catch and put her into the trailer.
Cleo might panic during her ride to the pasture and might accidently hurt Bambi, hence the separate pens for the ride. They can still see each other so that helps.
"Hey, if I had t-paper, I'd use it."
After they were loaded, it was time for their vaccinations. Harland went into the pen with Bambi and gave her the shots which went smoothly. But since Cleo has the capability of kicking Harland’s head off, he gave her her shots from the outside of the stock trailer by attaching the syringe to the end of a long pole.
As the needle made its mark, Cleo’s rear end came up and she lashed out with her back hoof landing an enormous kick on the inside of the trailer.
*BANG!!!*
Kick all you want honey, we’re out here where it’s safe and you’re in there.
With the shots done, we tootled off down the road to the pasture, just a few miles away.
Once there, Harland backed up to the gate and opened the door. Cleo and Bambi exited together, but then went in separate directions. Harland, fearing Cleo would leave her calf behind, made calf bawling sounds to get Cleo’s attention.
Cleo stopped in her tracks and listened. “Oh yeah, my baby….where is she anyway?”
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Once they were reunited, we could leave and so Harland fastened the gate closed.
Cleo and Bambi will enjoy their summer vacation…away from us, which is just the way they like it.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Smart man that Harland! Brought back memories of taking the last 4-H steer to the locker….He was dangerously wild and we weren’t taking any chances of injury to kids or judges by showing him…He made delicious winter beef supply!
Have you noticed that the difficult ones make the best steaks? 😉
Love your posts about the cows, especially when there is video of the fields with the birds in the background. Just very relaxing to watch and listen to! 🙂
so glad you enjoy this Julie. I love to share our peaceful surroundings with others, even if what we are doing at the time is not peaceful. 🙂
I enjoyed your blog today. Hi! to you and Harland!
Thanks Cindy! Hi to you and your better half as well.
My new goat moms sometimes forget their kids too. Not fun tromping around to help them find the little ones.
Enjoyed today’s blog very much. I imagine Bambi was ready for a nice nap after her journey!
Harland gets a medal for not swearing while he was wrangling Bambi. Also it was so strange not to hear any noises there beyond the banging of the metal gates. I guess I was waiting for the dramatic music to begin or the narration!!! Doesn’t Harland talk to the animals? I yak the ear off my cat. I love the green grass, trees and just all around green. The desert here is so brown I forget there is that bright green. Good job with the camera too.
Ha ha…sometimes he talks to them, but mostly he’s quiet around them and very very rarely swears. He thinks I’m a nervous Nellie because when things get rough with the animals I holler, scream, whatever. I get all excited and he’s calm as a cucumber. I think it’s partly because he’s seen it all when it comes to livestock and it’s just another day for him. Oh ho-hum.
Oh, that Bambi is so cute!!! And aren’t they just the wildest little things????
When the calves panic, it’s like trying to capture a tazmanian devil. They’re all legs and energy and craziness. In a lot of ways, calves are more difficult to handle because they are more flighty and excitable.
I was just going to ask if Cleo and Bambi had to spend the summer all alone, but was glad to see them join the other cows at the end!
I love the story and the videos!! Heaing the birds in the background is special!
What a days work….I had rather be in your shoes than Harland’s….at least you get to take the pics of “him” working. LOL
I enjoy reading your cow stories….thanks for sharing.
I expected the music to swell when momma found her baby at the end of the video. And I think I’ll start calling your hubby “He-Man Harland.” He’s strong!
Ha! The look on Harland’s face after the calf was loaded.
I see you have a Donahue trailer. Jim’s wife Joan was my 1st double cousin. She passed away last summer. Loved this video.