It takes a real confident person to admit they were wrong…
As I sit on the ATV or what some call a side by side reflecting on the day it was delivered. It is called a side by side because the 4-wheel ATV sits three people legally in seatbelts. Although two people are more comfortable than three. When it came down the driveway on a trailer behind the old Ford pickup truck, I cringed and said aloud, “I’ll never be using that.” And I headed for the barnyard on my two capable feet.
Now “Red” is my reliant partner as I tend to the cows most days solo. Red is my faster legs and more capable hands and arms. Especially when hauling hay or grain to a remote animal or even from barn to barn. Most definitely its head lights are super useful while searching for stray cows in the dark of night.
Before Red came to the ranch I walked everywhere and in any kind of weather. I treated this as my exercise program. At a slower pace than a wheeled vehicle it provided me much time to reflect while using my legs for transportation. I’d use the extra time to form characters and story lines in my mind.
Most days the walking did me good. There were some situations that a quick check turned into an hour or more. Inevitably the cow I was checking on had wandered to the furthest reaches of the ranch’s property lines and with the multi-terrain of the rolling hills, trees, and creek valleys I couldn’t see them unless I walked and walked…
My mind was changed one afternoon when I walked into the barnyard for a cow check. One of the cows had waded across the swollen creek to have her calf. The grassy banks of the other side of the creek had served her well for birthing all her other calves. Sheltered under the hundred-year-old pine trees and the hillside behind as a natural blind to predators. In her mind this year would be no different.
The land bridge over the creek had disappeared beneath the swirling high waters of the snow run off as the aging culvert couldn’t keep up. The cow mid creek trying to guide her newest calf through determined to get to the feeder for her dinner meal with the rest of the cow herd. The water was neck deep for her calf and it was struggling against the swirling current.
The ATV was right next to the barn gate. I knew my legs couldn’t get me to the creek fast enough. If the swirling waters decided to capture the new calf and suck her into the culvert she would be lost. I jumped on the ATV, turned the key over, flicked the switch to 4WD and slid the stick into high gear and off I cruised.
I’m not foreign to ATV’s. In fact, I had quite fun on them in my youth with friends. I had never really thought of them being a useful piece of equipment around the ranch. That is until this day happened.
Reaching the banks of the creek in a flash I jumped in and the water went well over my muck boots tops. Swooping up the newborn calf’s legs just where they meet the hip bones, I thanked God. Luckily, this calf was only sixty-ish pounds and not the 114-pound calf born the day before to another cow. I loaded the calf into the seat beside me and off we set for the barnyard. The cow mom following close behind.
In that moment of action, I had not given a second thought to my original statement at Red’s delivery to the ranch. I was just thankful I had the 4 wheels under my 2 legs and that I didn’t have to carry the calf more than fifty feet.
It might be a few years late but thank you, Richard. I know you were trying to provide me with the tools I needed when no one else is around to help and make my life a bit easier. You are correct, horses make good companions. But ATV’s do not need food, water, or care. Being able to park ATV’s and walk away without cooling them down and brushing them out, make them a great fit.
Oh, and by the way, Richard, before I forget, Red’s going to need some fuel real soon!
