If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then, to make sure it's still there with ya.

As you peer over the edge of the mountainside looking down to the valley below, you see thousands of potential prospective - wild bovine just waiting to join your herd.  You're already counting the pesos you'll make when you bring this herd in to your new vast green ranch. 

As you plan your attack, you spot a lone small cow off to the side grazing.  You sneak down the ridge and slowly coax her away from the crowd. The two of you create a strategy and set out on your own little cattle drive to round up the herd. Shortly after the big pitch and close, you look back and notice the rest of the herd is not following.  

Gather a big herd .. the bigger the better!

What's wrong?  Why aren't the others following?  You thought this cow had some serious influence and connection with the other cows.  Guess not. So, you head back in and find another small cow off to the side. You spend the entire day getting her on board and committed to follow you and run another pitch and close with the herd. 

 

Off you go again. But, the cattle still don't follow.  In fact, they are headed away in the opposite direction, following a few alpha bulls aimlessly without question. Why isn't your plan working? Self-doubt sets in. Maybe you're not the cowboy you thought you were! Maybe you should tell your two cows you made a mistake and the entire bovine industry and population - not you - is to blame!

Or maybe, just maybe, you took the easy road - the path of least resistance - to pick off the low hanging fruit instead going after the head honchos. The effort and time you expended to snag a few stragglers would have been put to better use engaging the alpha bulls. You would have been better served to pitch "true leaders" on the benefits of your vast, green, bountiful ranch. Help them envision how the herd will flourish. More importantly, hand them the road map to lead their own herd to the promised land.

Once they are on the trail, do yourself a BIG favor - get out of their way! Best way to divert a herd is to circumvent the authority of the lead bulls or create conflict among the leaders (and there does needs to be a few not just one). A divided herd is more susceptible to predators, poachers, and rustlers - and trust me they are out there.

Praise and edify your lead bulls and make sure they do the same with their herd. You want to create new alpha leaders of your calves and foster a solid, safe and steady environment others will rustle to join. It's your job as the ranch owner to build a solid herd on your first big ranch and when it's running on its own, don't sit back on your saddle!  Start your second ranch and look for a another set of alpha bulls!

Ranching is hard work but the payout is awesome! So, get busy and, as always, give me a shout if I can lend a hand - cause y'all know - I'm in this for the long haul.

Happy Trails,

Brad