It was going to be great! I knew it would be. The kids would love it.

They had been riding out alone to fill the cows tank. They were fine going out alone. So why not add one more challenge, or fun game depending on how you look at it, for them to accomplish?

The cows needed moved to new corn stalks. Yes, it would be easiest to move them with feed. Just call them into the corrals in the morning and lead them over with the tractor. They like food and fully understand following the tractor. But what fun would that be?

Instead we could carefully set it up so the cows would be fed in the morning, wait long enough for them to finish all the hay, then send the kids out to move them! It’s not like they could lose the herd. It’s all safely confined. Worse that could happen is the cows go to the wrong corner of the field.

So off we sent them. My son was in a mood from the beginning. That never bodes well.

Their father and I were working along the edges of the field, repairing wind damage to the parked equipment. We could see them the whole time, make sure nothing was going dreadfully wrong. The cows started off in the right direction. My son was trotting along on the far side of the herd on his little mare. They looked so good, it made me happy. My daughter pushed them down off the hill all by herself. Such good little riders.

Then the cows passed the gate and kept going south. Still no big deal. They were on the proper half of the field. It would just take a bit more riding.

My daughter called. Would I be coming out to help them now? She was not cheerful.

Wonderful mother that I am I said no. Did she feel that they were in danger? No? Alright then. Keep moving the cows.

They got to the far side of the field and stopped. I could see one child off of a horse. They both stood there and just stood. The cows grazed happily.

I called back. What’s up?

Lady, my sons little bay arab, wasn’t cooperating. He had rage quit. They were both very grouchy. Not interested in moving cows.

My plan had failed. Apparently they couldn’t handle it and would not get that huge rush of confidence and satisfaction when they got the cows moved all by themselves.

Oh well. Training children is no different than training horses. I know when we are facing frustration and there is need to step in and offer more support. Out on the 4wheeler anyway we headed that direction. My husband hopped off near the gate to turn them the right way when they got there. I rushed out to the kids. It was easy to see the problem when I got there.

Heifers.

Yearlings are an awful thing. Curious and as stupid as any bunch of teenagers. Every time I would push them forward with the 4wheeler they would turn right around and follow me back. On the 4wheeler I could keep running laps with them. The kids, on horses, unwilling to go much above a walk, it can get to be an endless task.

I finally got the heifers to move. The kids joined back in and brought up the tail while I ran the edge of the herd. The cows went in. The children were done and left as their father and I followed the bunch up the lane in and into their new field. It was done. Maybe not well done. Not the confidence booster I had hopped for. At this point I’m just hoping to be able to get them back on the horses again. Maybe we can try this weekend.