All who show in cow classes (no matter how much experience we have) want to get better at reading cattle.
One way is to watch cattle being settled for fresh cattle herd classes. You watch as they’re settled, and then predict how they will act when they’re cut during the class.
At the end of the settling time, the settler “brushes them off”. It’s not like getting brushed off by a friend (ha!). The rider goes back and forth in front of the cattle to make sure they are as comfortable as possible against the back fence before that set of horses begins to show.
There’s a lot of information about individual cattle that can be learned during this time.
That’s what this video is all about – showing you how to watch this process.
You will learn:
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- To observe the behaviors of cattle at the front of the herd and near the settler’s horse
- “Good” cow characteristics
- “Bad” cow characteristics
- “To be determined” cow desirability observed as the class unfolds
LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS 
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Boy, was I reading that all wrong! No wonder I got myself into so much trouble as a newbie. Thank you for so honestly sharing your experience and knowledge in both human and horse behavior.
Thanks Barb. Wonderful explanation.
New to cutting and limited experience with cows, since signing up with Be Unstoppable recently and receiving so much valuable information; what I need to do as a rider, herd work, ‘the line’, importance of watching settling the herd and more, has truly helped my understanding.
Thank you!
That was soooo helpful! Thank you for this. I had heard some of the information before, but watching the video as you explained things, made it so much easier to understand. Thank you Barb for your insight.
That was a great discussion! I always watch the herd settling and always seemed confused as to which cows would be good. Now I have a little more insight. Thanks!
Great insight on herd work! Thank you for the “heads up” on observing cows!
Great information Barb. I love your review of cattle. There is so much to learn something every time I watch your videos. Like others, brushing’ the cattle was a new term for me. I love that you pointed out the cow that dove. I missed that. Your descriptions are also very helpful. I like your skunk description. Thank you again!
Thank you, Barb, I didn’t know “brushing of the cattle” was the term for the settlers actions before the first rider comes in to work fresh cows. Great insight into good and bad characteristics of each cow to determine who to cut.
Thank you for another excellent video!! As a newcomer to cow work, your instruction has been invaluable! Thank you for everything that you do for all of us! We are truly blessed to have you share your knowledge and insight!!
Awesome information Barb!
Thank you Barb, this was very interesting! Learning about how to “read” cattle seems like it really would take a lifetime!!!
Barb, thank you. This was great! While I knew why the settler rode back and forth in front of the herd, I did not know that part of settling the herd was called brushing off the cattle! Thank you for this opportunity to look at the reactions of several of the cows and for your excellent commentary. The skunk tailed cow and one of the black cows were more obvious to me in their behavior but being focused on them, I would have missed the “gold standard” cow, you pointed out to us. Having her behavior identified, I also noticed… Read more »
Great Discussion Barb!!!
As always you put it in every day terms so all can learn from your videos. Thank you so much for being you.
Great instruction!
I am just starting cow work and find your videos very helpful, thank you!
Your video’s are so informative, your verbal descriptions are so easy to understand. I feel like I get experience, w/o even being on horseback! 🙂 dc
Very helpful. Will put the information to use.
Thanks, Barb. I knew about the “head up” being not good, but now I know to add the “duckers” to the no no list!
Love this and love i can rewatch to see undesirable examples elsewhere in the herd. What i would give to have you in my ear in the moment! So clear, experienced and generous with info that helps all levels learn. Thanks!
Barb this was full of great information! I hope everyone watches it. Thanks for doing this!
Great info! So clearly explained and helpful. Thanks so much for presenting it.
That was great watching.
Another great video Barb. It is very helpful. This is my biggest fear, that I don’t know enough about cattle to evaluate their behavior. I am in British Columbia, Canada so we have not been able to go to shows to watch due to COVID. There have not been any shows nearby but they are starting up now. No spectators are allowed yet.
I liked it! thank you