Cattle handling on horseback, cattle judging and socializing were the order of the day when Searle Ranch hosted the Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association on a recent Saturday. At just over 7,000 ft. above sea level, the temperature was perfect for these outdoor events. However, the barbecued beef lunch was served indoors, offering welcome protection from an afternoon shower that is typical in the front range of the Colorado Rockies.
Showing how it's done, Travis Casey explained the "hows and whys" of working cattle on horseback. Riding a green-broke mustang, he demonstrated the cowboy technique--emphasizing the importance of moving deliberately. Then the onlookers had the opportunity to step onto a quiet old gelding and practice what they had been learning about.
Following lunch, ranch manager Gary Lake went into considerable detail in discussing the pen of heifers to be judged. After they had marked their score cards, he put participants on the spot, asking for explanations of why they placed the cattle where they did.
By all accounts it was a valuable exercise, made more interesting by the competitive aspect. Winner of the judging contest was Nik Nikodym (pictured at right) who raises Longhorns in Oklahoma while commuting to Colorado Springs for his responsibilities as a Commander in the US Navy.
Field day host Stan Searle noted that the 40 or so members and guests seemed to appreciate "getting among the Longhorn cattle, actually doing something hands-on, rather than sitting around talking about cattle." And, he pointed out, getting tips from Gary Lake and Travis Casey provided a unique opportunity to learn from men with decades of experience working livestock.
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| Carol Kotzer cuts out a pair. |
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| Marty Slebodnik sorts cattle |
The MSTLA has more than 30 members representing five states. Cattle and people representing all Longhorn registries and organizations are welcome at events and meetings of the group. Information on events and membership is available at http://MSTLA.org .
Searle Ranch Field Day, July 2011
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| Heifer judging was taken seriously |