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Page 16 %u2022 The Midwest Cattleman %u2022 January 2025CHUTESIDE OR SADDLED UPChoosing the safest way to process cattleby Austin BlackWorking and processing cattle requires skill and patience. You need a good crew that can read and respond to cattle, and plenty of time to get the job done right. When choosing the style, technique and strategy that producers use to work cattle safely and efficiently, there are two camps - modern or traditional.Traditional cattle handling has a heavy emphasis on gathering, sorting and processing cattle with good ranch horses and the occasional cowdog. While a chute system may be used to handle mature cows, this approach requires minimal equipment or working facilities. Instead, cowboys focus on good horsemanship to rope and drag calves to the processing crew. Under the more modern approach, producers rely on portable or stationary corrals, alleyways, and chute systems to control the flow and movement of the animals. While cattle may still be gathered and handled horseback, the working facilities are designed to move cattle quickly and efficiently through the squeeze chute for all processing care.Both strategies have defined advantages and notable challenges. Choosing the right approach for your operation is important to creating a safe, efficient and low-stress environment for your cattle and crew.Analyzing the BenefitsNortheast Missouri rancher Ashley McCarty is an avid supporter of working cattle horseback. She and her husband Pat have a commercial cow-calf operation and use horses nearly every day. During college, Pat interned on notable ranches in the western US and learned first-hand the benefits of the traditional form of cattle handling. Ashley also grew up on a ranching operation and has always had a strong connection to horses and cattle.Their present day operation is covered with rolling hills, draws and pockets that are less accessible via ATV, UTV or truck. Whether it%u2019s doing routine checks for new calves or sick animals, or doing their seasonal roundup for branding, utilizing horses is the best way to get the job done. It%u2019s also a way that they%u2019ve found very natural. %u201cThere%u2019s something about horses%u2026God made them to be a good complement to a cow,%u201d McCarty said. Not only do their cattle respond better to a horse than a human, daily cattle management is much easier with a horse. %u201cThere are opportunities where we can ease in to assess an animal%u2019s health and then treat it right then and there. We can efficiently treat that sick calf and not have to disrupt the whole herd or work them through a chute,%u201d McCarty said.Her oldest son Cade checks cattle horseback everyday and was tasked with roping and tagging all the new calves this last fall. %u201cWe%u2019ve got Photos courtesy of Ron Gill