Some cowboys are using ATVs to move their cows around. There are some advantages like you can just jump in one, no saddling required. But most of us think only horses should be used for most day-to-day work.
This comes from an article by Ross Hecox in the June 2009 Western Horseman magazine (one of my favorite magazines). I’m just providing the headings and encourage you to read the entire article.
1. A horse gives you an extra set of eyes when gathering.
2. Driving cattle with horses, though slow-paced, is efficient and easy on cow-calf pairs.
3. With horses, cattle can be trained.
4. Roping cattle in the pasture is the least stressful method for doctoring.
5. When sorting in the herd, a calm horse does the job smoothly.
6. Riding a horse makes you more visible, which makes cattle more responsive.
7. A horse’s athleticism and precise maneuverability is unmatched.
8. Some country is simply too vast and rugged for anything other than a horse.
9. A horse allows you to focus completely on the cattle.
10. Working cattle increases a horse’s marketability.
11. A horse provides added intelligence and keen intuition.
12. A horse makes you better.
Check it out at Western Horseman magazine.