Team penning tips?

Question

any tips for team penning? new to this... ive been doing it for about 6 months now... used to do jumpers and switched so never worked with cows... need tips :D thanks

-bee

Answer 1

Make sure you don't get distracted from keeping the ones already separated...because you are watching the sorter get another one.  That one thing...just wrecks the younger people at team pennings.  They get to watching the sorter, and the cows behind them...bolt back to the herd.

DON'T block the penning gate...that happens alot too.  Cows won't go in pen if you are 'blocking' it.  I like to stay near the corner of the pen, unless the cattle are breaking to the rail.  And if I'm at the corner of the wing...I can block a rail break and send them back to the other two riders who should be closing off escape from the other side.  Hope that made sense.  If you're doing it...you know what I'm talking about.

Or what kind of tips exactly are you looking for?  Are you having trouble in a certain area??  As a sorter or a holder?

**EDIt..for cutting them out, I like to move into the herd behind the one I'm looking at.  Push it toward one end of the herd, and let the others flow back past me.  Then cut it out and try to push it up the rail until one of the holders can get it.  By getting in front of the shoulder and head of the cow you are looking at...you will cause it to turn back.  You use this same concept to turn one around that is trying to head past you.

Answer 2

well one tip I have is to watch the people ahead of you and pay attention to the cows,certain cows have different habits,some wont go in the pen to save their life but others constantly turn to the left or something, so say you are watching and there is a number 3 that simply REFUSES to go,if you get that herd with that number you'll know to go for a different number 3 instead of wasting your time with that one....