Welcome to the Ranch!

If you are the proud owner of any number of animals, then you know that knowing a good veterinarian is invaluable. At Cross Creek Cattle Company, we know several. Luckily, we do not have to use them often. Our cattle and horses are healthy. Occasionally we will have a minor medical emergency usually concerning a horse that can usually be handled with just a phone call. We follow the vet’s instructions and everything is alright.

In the January issue of “Texas Co-op Power”, the lead article is “Emergency Call: Texas Grappling with Critical Shortages of Rural Veterinarians” by Wes Ferguson and Camille Wheeler. In the article they interview three rural vets from across Texas.

The amount of debt that graduating veterinarians accumulate to just get their degree is crippling. It can amount to more than $100,000.00. Therefore, most newly graduated veterinarians are looking for work in urban areas where the pay is typically higher.

Rural vets will work on a wide variety of animals where most urban vets work with small domesticated animals. As our population has shifted to be more urban, our veterinarians are making the same shift. The problem is that large areas in South Texas, West Texas, and the Panhandle ranchers find themselves without a veterinarian.

In our area, we have several large animal veterinarians. We have not experienced the shortage for ourselves. But will this trend continue? Will veterinarians continue leaving the rural areas?

Just like you cannot practice medicine without a license, you cannot practice veterinary medicine either. However, there are procedures you can learn to do without having to involve a vet. Schools teach and will certify you to palpate cattle. You can learn to vaccinate and worm your own cattle. You can learn to dehorn and castrate without a vet.

Texas A&M University hosts an annual Beef Cattle Short Course in August. During the three day event, the provide classes to learn most of the skills mentioned above. Our ranch manager always goes to learn something new each year. It is a great course for any cattle rancher.

As more veterinarians move to the cities, the ones that remain in the rural areas are apt to find themselves swamped and over-worked. Learn how to perform these procedures and free the veterinarians to do true medical work. Let them see to the emergencies.

Kids of Cross Creek Cattle Company

Most people do not live in rural areas anymore.  A complete switch has taken place.  More people now live in urban areas.  Living in the country has its advantages.  It also has disadvantages.  Like everything in life, you have to weigh both.

My five children have lived on Cross Creek Cattle Company for most if not all of their lives.  They have chores that most kids their age do not have.  They take turns milking our goats.  They feed our chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs, and cats.  They can grow and harvest vegetables.  They can catch and clean a fish.  They can work cattle.  Depending on their ages, my children are either quite experienced in these areas or they are in training.

All of them are raised to avoid cow patties as they stroll through the pasture.  They know to watch for snakes.  They know where the barbed wire fences are even if the sun makes the wires seem invisible.  They can identify poison ivy regardless of the season.

When people visit the ranch, they are quickly given a crash course in the potential hazards.  Likewise when we travel to urban areas, my children receive a much different training.  Don’t talk to strangers.  Look both ways before crossing the street.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from my children today.  I asked each of them, “What is your favorite thing about living on a ranch?”  The following are their answers.

Clayton said, “I love hunting deer in December.”  He is a great shot.  Clayton also loves observing the plentiful wildlife throughout the year.  Watching the deer is his favorite.

China Berry tree in autumn.

Kyla said, “I love watching the colors change on the leaves.”  About the only trees that change from green to brilliant color are the China Berry trees.  She went on to say that she loves being able to observe God’s creation everyday.

Jake responded, “I love being able to work with the horses all the time.”  He loves horses.  He even writes his own blog about horses called Cross Creek Horsemanship.

Isaac said, “Riding horses!”  He sure loves to ride.

Andrew is too little to answer, but he also loves to ride a horse.  My guess is that he enjoys tractor rides even more.

Well, the kids have spoken.  They love living on Cross Creek Cattle Company.  And, they have different reasons.  I love the fact that they are growing up on a working ranch.  They have so many opportunities to learn skills and enjoy the outdoors.  Living in a rural area has its perks.

Our family of riders

Jake turned eight last Friday.  He had many options for his big day.  His baseball team was being awarded their championship medal at a banquet that evening.  He could have invited some friends to spend the night.  We could have gone camping on the ranch wherever he chose.  He had some great options, but he had to choose one.  Having read his articles on this blog, I am sure that you are not surprised when he decided to host a trail ride on the ranch in honor of his birthday.

We invited our neighbors who are big horsemen.  They ride in trail rides throughout the year, including the big one to Houston for the Livestock Show and Rodeo.  They arrived riding a mule and three other horses.  A friend of their oldest boy, who lives further down the road, showed up as they were heading to our house on horseback.  So he joined us, too.   All in all we had eleven horses and riders participate in the trail ride.

Jake had a blast!  They crossed creeks, rode through brush, went across the dam by the lake, and rode all over the ranch.  They did not miss a single pasture.  About two hours later, everyone dismounted and rested.  We served dinner to everyone.  We grilled hot dogs and homemade sausage.  I made potato salad and heated up some ranch-style beans.  Jake wanted a chocolate chip cookie cake.  We served it with homemade goat ice cream.

They are going to meet up with our guests.

Then Jake opened his gifts.  He got a brand new pair of cowboy boots and some bumper spurs like the ones he saw at the Clinton Anderson workshop.  He also got some jeans and western-style shirts.  Jake received a lasso from a fellow cowboy whom Jake really admires.  Daily, he practices roping anything and everything he can.

Jake is an amazing boy.  He has always wanted to be a cowboy.  He doesn’t just look the part or act the part.  He is a cowboy.  For him or anyone else in my family, there is no better place to live than out here in the country on Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We enjoy so many aspects of life that are lost to children growing up in urban areas.  If we had to live in the city, then I am confident that we would manage.  Jake would probably own a huge dog and try to ride him down the sidewalks.   Until then, we will live each day thankful for being a part of this ranch.