Australia's cowboys quit helicopters for horses

Anthony Hoy reports on the reinvention of the Australian stockman on horseback. The beef industry is trying to re-build the horsemanship and intellectual property lost to the mining industry as a result of the widespread adoption since the 1960s of mechanical mustering (helicopters, motorcycles, quad bikes and 4WDs), the toll it has taken on stock, and the impact it has had on beef eating quality.

[@markwarnberg9504]

So true what the old boy said "there are no horse wispers", just people who are good with horses.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

It is very true that horsemanship is a lifelong journey. A journey that I thoroughly enjoy.

[@tarnsand]

I just want to cover my eyes when I see cattle horses any animals chased by a helicopter. They're being run in to the ground. I really hate the sound smell of the bikes quads too. I totally agree; using horses is far better for the cattle. And more peaceful and serene for humans. Cheers

[@adelarsen9776]

Tarn Sand Cattle mustering with choppers is bad for many reasons. Horses are the way to go but diesel quad bikes used with horses are ok. They smell better and are quiet and slow - like horses.

[@johnnyasus86]

Ade Larsen diesel bikes, never seen one. must be only good for farming as I doubt they have power.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Agreed.

[@barbarabrand190]

I live in the dessert near Las Vegas. Over the years i have watched the destruction of the dessert by the multiple off road vehicles. I think the switch to motor vehicles for cattle guarding and round up causes more permanent damage to the grazing than the cattle themselves. Besides the damage to the terrain the damage, it would seem that the "cowboys" could be injured by motor accidents and easily trampled by the cows if they felt threatened and turn on the bikes.

[@brucecoulthard7879]

I’ve only just seen this now , it looks like old news. Hats off to Phil for helping new rings. City people and TV stations always seem to screw things up. Horses never went out of fashion completely and choppers can be used quite well horse if done right. As for horseman being a dyeing breed, well that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s more good horseman in Australia than there has ever been. People ride horse now because they want to not under sufference which has led to more learn , instruction and opportunity. If you can’t handle a horse you won’t handle cattle either, it’s the same mindset. That’s why it’s called Stockmanship

[@drivesthecar3247]

Makes me wish I were 30 years younger! I think I'd like Australia!!

[@Bronco-1776]

You may have liked it 30 years ago...but it ain't the place it once was.

[@mickeymortimer4407]

This is way off the mark, I worked on some of the biggest cattle stations in Australia in the 1990's in Western Queensland, the territory (NT) and the Kimberley (WA). We were in the saddle all day everyday. In the territory they would flush the cattle out of the hills and remote areas with choppers and bull catchers (modified Toyota landcruisers) were used to catch scrub-bulls but cattle don't like motorbikes. We had to shoe our own horses and school colts. However, on sheep stations bikes are nearly always used - sheep are used to bikes.

[@jillmcnamara9985]

Yes, bring back our way of mustering - on horse back .... scaring these animals with 4WD's and helicopters .....Good for you Perce ......

[@cazyhorseworld]

the douglas lake ranch in British Columbia Canada has 20,000 head of cattle. all work involving cattle is done on horse back. 18 cowboy's manage to do it all.

[@jadewilliams7424]

cazyhorseworld well the average cattle station is about 8 to 10 times the size of Douglas lake ranch though but I am all for the return of the horseman being a stockman myself that hasn't had the chance to become a horseman with all the motorbikes and planes and choppers roaring about

[@bronwynahyong7754]

Australian cattle stations may carry less cattle but they are far bigger.

[@Bronco-1776]

And that's your story and you are sticking with it. You even been on the big outfits in the USA? @@bronwynahyong7754

[@Bronco-1776]

@@jadewilliams7424 So you gather the entire ranch in Australia in one day with a helicopter? I doubt that. No. You only gather the area that cattle can WALK in one day. So the rest of the time your fucking chopper is flying around redundantly annoying people on the ground. So you may as well send cowboys out to gather them coz you can't gather them any faster.

[@bronwynahyong7754]

@@Bronco-1776 No. But the biggest ranch in the US is only a quarter of the size of the biggest cattle station in Australia in terms of area.

[@1woksape606]

Veternary Dr. Temple Grandis pioneered humane treatment of livestock that makes profits...

[@sailordoc7454]

Keep this breed of leatherneck Aussue alive .. you’ll need them if push ever comes to shove with red China. Good to see the spirit alive down there 👍🏽

[@banditman0000]

we are going threw the same thing in america the atv has changed everything from farming and ranching to hunting and fishing. It is a shame that the horse is fading into the back ground due to high cost to keep them and harassment from animal rights activists that think riding and using horses is animal abuse.

[@Bronco-1776]

Bullshit buddy.....you just don't know where the big outfits are. ...You aint no cowboy!

[@charlieswearingen500]

Its okay to get on yer 4x4 to go close a gate, but when it comes to working/moving cattle a horse is the best way for the welfare of the cattle...

[@marniemchugh9731]

I totally agree with what these horse station hands are saying, I am looking on coming over to oz for a year or two and hoping to come and work as a station hand that use horses then machines

[@Bronco-1776]

You must be stuck on stupid then.

[@adelarsen9776]

An old ringer stockman told me when I was a kid that helicopters leave calves behind and make them wild and tough. I reckon horses and diesel quad bikes which both go slow is the best way.

[@Bronco-1776]

Actually no. You can't rope anything from a quad bike no matter how slow it goes.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@Bronco-1776 I never intimated nor suggested anything about roping a beast. I was only referring to the simple practice of mustering. Horses and diesel quad bikes are slow and quiet and good for pushing cattle.

[@Bronco-1776]

@@adelarsen9776 Well.....I'm telling you 'no'......first off quad bikes ARE noisy! They don't allow the cattle to move 'strung out' which is the only way to move cattle any distance because they cause the cattle to bunch up in the drag. That is what causes mothers to lose their calves. ...and you can't rope anything that needs roping on the trail from them. But maybe you don't actually move cattle any distance in Australia by horseback. The estimate is that a steer loses 2 pounds of weight for every mile it runs. From what I have seen Australians, today at least, don't know how to move cattle.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@Bronco-1776 1) I said horses and diesel quads. Diesel, not petrol which are noisy. 2) Never said anything about roping or tailing a beast from a quad. 3) The old ways are the best. Horses and diesel quads. The cattle arrive with their calves and they are much less stressed. Many cattle stations are ditching choppers for men on horses and diesel quad / side x side.

[@Bronco-1776]

@@adelarsen9776 You just don't get it do you! Rule No 1...If you can't rope off it, it has no business working with cattle. And neither does anyone working horseback around cattle. Rule No 2...if it's noisier than a horse.....fuck off with it!

[@born2tx]

I have horses but generally work cattle on foot. Thought it was a hoot to compare John Wayne and Clint Eastwood to this business.

[@ajhotmop]

Hollywood made the cowboy.

[@jadewilliams7424]

Is this about Victoria Downs who owns that station at the moment

[@peterlovett5841]

I think it is still the Holmes a Court family. His widow took over on Robert's death and his son Paul was manager in 2007.

[@littletimeranchin]

God made the horse to help man. I say use horses and forget that motorcycle. I only use horses and dogs.

[@alexmcdowall8680]

Bikes n horses have their place.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

It is too bad that the art of evolving one mind between horse and human is dying out in Australia.

[@kerrypurcell6022]

strange,,,i have seen 2020 videos,,,,not using horses that much,,,

[@steconway9199]

bring back Kidmans boys........

[@Bronco-1776]

That's why I always said there is no such thing as a cowboy in the Aussie cattle business.

[@kmansfield8770]

Yes but can the bike think

[@EPGunman]

Should’ve never left the horse to begin with.

[@josiahigescu7840]

I like! :D bit of dogie horsemanship in my opinion though, not saying I'm a pro' though :P and LOL about the "when do i get my guns" bit xP xP xP xP

[@josiahigescu7840]

Hahaha you will gets your guns when you go to America maybe :P

[@jillmcnamara9985]

yes everything original has gone .... due to greed and money ....

[@Bronco-1776]

Actually it's due to stupidity and lazy thinkers with no pride or tradition in their work.

[@benmorris1968]

wow. msm has changed so much.

[@terreirodafazenda9931]

Aque agente só a cavalo mesmo

[@kiranpawar36]

Are koi Hindi me to likho Bhai Kutch smz nahi aa rhahai

[@dreamtime1730]

Don't you think it's funny that both U.S.A. & Australian r getting rid of there Wild Horse's. I think it is.

[@Bronco-1776]

US is not getting rid of the mustang.....they periodically thin them out that's all.

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

I rode a horse once. ,...I'll stick with my chopper :-)