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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-01-04, Page 61 oaaooQooc00000000000 Huron County's Complete 1VEHICLE 1 RENTAL WE 1 E Headquarters E n Small & Mid-sized Cars °a ir] Passenger & Cargo Vans, n a Pickup Trucks 1] n Daily. Weekly, Monthly o El Insurance Rentals & More E CI Free Delivery o O Ask about our full o transportation service E Feature J Cromarty family enjoys cattle -penning BY MICHELE GREENE for affiliated newspapers One of the fastest growing events in horse competitions today has been a way of life for a Cromarty family. Cattle -penning is an event that is most popular in Canada's western provinces but is catching on in Ontario. Teams of three people on horses must separate, or cut, three spec- ified cows from the herd and drive them into a pen within 90 seconds. Bob, Bevin, and David Kinsman, of Cromarty, hosted their own event in September attracting 123 people on 41 teams. The Kinsman Boys have travelled to Sarnia, Strathroy, Toronto and Orangeville to compete. They ride three horses they bred themselves. Bevin and David ride Buckskin geldings which they call Red Hot Maverick, a five-year-old, and Hot Jessie James, a four-year-old. Bob rides a nine-year-old mare called Sugar Sal Wac. Bevin described them as "good ranch horses" because they're good at roping, cutting, and sorting cattle. When the three brothers ride together during a cattle penning event, Bevin is the cutter who sep- L arates the three cows from the herd. David and Bob are the pointers and drive them into the pen. "You have to go in really quiet and sort them out of the herd and not let them back in," explained David. But anything can happen in cattle -penning, according to Bevin. With three horses, three cows, and three people involved, there are many variables. Sometimes, one cow is particularly stubborn. "We've had them cut two off the corner [of the herd] but the third one won't come out," said Bevin. Their experience in cattttdriving has made them a competitive team. The Kinsman brothers have devel- oped a wide reputation across Ontario as experienced cattle drivers. They often receive calls from farmers whose cows get out of the feedlot. They call the Kinsmans to come on horseback and round up the lost cattle. MICHELE GREENE PHOTO CATTLE -PENNING BROTHERS - The Kinsman brothers are a winning team on the cattle -penning circuit. Bob (left), Bevin, and David, have been driving, roping and penning cattle for farmers on horseback since they were teenagers. Now, the skill has become an event which is more popular in western provinces but is slowly gaining in popularity in Ontario. They hosted a cattle -penning event on the farm of their parents Jack and Elaine Kinsman, of Cromarty, and teach up to 30 people how to pen cattle. called the Kinsmans to find them and return them to his property. After three weeks, they returned every cow unhurt to the farmer. Cattle usually get loose if the gate is left open while farmers are clean- ing out the yard. Other times, they are scared out of the feedlots by dogs or wolves, said Bevin. He, David and Bob try to keep the cows in a large group as they drive them back to the farmer's property. "You want to keep them bunched up then they won't run away. If they do start running, they will go different ways. If you can keep them in a bunch, you can drive them in," said David. The Kinsman's are the busiest during the spring and fall but they are out on horseback finding cattle all year round --even in the winter. "It gets in your blood. There's "The saddles and trailer ,; rek, ribthing better than seeing a horse always ready to go," said Bexin. working at what it does best and Their biggest job took them to enjoying it," said Bevin, adding Linwood after a barn fire. The "We like this cowboy stuff." farmer turned out his 100 cows to The Kinsman brothers credit their save them from the flames. He father Jack and the move of his two uncles to Saskatchewan for their expertise in cattle driving. Jack said two of his uncles moved to the western province in 1910. During 1935 and 1936, the drought in Saskatchewan was so severe that farmers couldn't grow enough feed for their cattle. Finally, they decided to sell their cattle instead of letting them die. Jack's uncle would buy them and ship them on the train to the live- stock yards in Dublin or Hensall. Jack and his father would arrange local buyers in Ontario for these cows and drive them from the train yards to the farmers' properties. Bevin, David, and Bob said they learned everything they know about cattle driving from their father, who still often goes with them when they are looking for lost cattle. Because of their experience driv- ing cattle and their success on the cattle -penning circuit, the Kinsmans have been asked by horse riders to teach them the skills. Until the middle of November, the Kinsmans gave cattle -penning lessons twice a week to about 30 students. Bevin said the people come from all walks of life. Some are rural people who are around cattle every day. Others are western or dressage riders who have never worked with cows. Their students range in age from 10 -years -old to 55 -years -old. The event is a family activity for some people. The brothers have one team of three who are brothers like themselves. Another team consists of a mother, father 9nd daughter. "It's something the whole family can do together," said Bevin. Although riders don't have to be experienced cattle drivers to com- pete, they must have the basics of riding a horse mastered so they can concentrate on the penning. Many of the events now have an amateur class as well as an open class so riders of all levels can participate. David said the brothers never imag- ined themselves as teachers but they -have found it rewarding. "It makes it worthwhile at the end of the season when a new team is doing well. You know you've accomplished something. It makes you feel good," said Bevin. Local family receives holiday surprise BY ANDY BADER for affiliated newspapers A Staffa area family received an early Christmas surprise when one of their heifers gave birth to trip- lets. Andy and Barb MacLean's dairy operation, at RR 2 Staffa, saw their 170 -herd expand on Dec. 17th when the rare triplet heifers were born. Almost two weeks later, mother and babies were doing fine as the preco- cious youngsters reluctantly posed for photographs. The MacLean's son Scott delivered the triplets by himself at 7 a.m., with the complete birth only taking approximately 20 minutes. "There were feet everywhere," Scott said, recalling the delivery with still a bit of bewilderment in his voice. "I couldn't believe it." Twins arc fairly commonplace for farmers, and the MacLeans arc no different, who say they have twin calves born at least once a year. However, this is the first time they've had triplets. Dr. Harold Ledermueller of the Kirkton Veterinary Clinic, the MacLcan's veterinarian, said this is just the third time in his 20 -years of practice that he's seen triplets, but this is the lone set to survive. "It's extremely rare," he said. Andy MacLean admitted that this is a rarity, especially since the mother "Queen" --a purebred holstein --had difficulty calving, and was close to being sold. "We purposely bred her with Angus just to get her to calf," he said. As a result, the triplet heifers are a crossbreed of Angus and Holstein, and the chances of them being good for milking arc slim. "But they're not over the hurdles yet," MacLean continued, "but they're off to a good start." Once the triplets get a little older and heavier (they already range in weight from 50-65 lbs.), they'll likely be sold for beef. ANDY BADER PHOTO HARD TO HANDLE - Scott MacLean (left) and his Dad, Andy, had a little difficulty corraling their triplet heifers bom on their Hibbert dairy farm on Dec. 17. Triplets which survive are a rarity, but these 50-65 Ib. crossbreeds showed a lot of spunk on their photo shoot last week. W&71 n K ei 1, h& fL>i g i l tr IZZA FOR A YE ;4 Congratulations Stephanie Dale, winner of our annual Pizza Draw. She wins One Free Pizza per Month for '95. Our Thanks to All Who Entered! isT sa . m se*ws- . — II.�...�-e E1/ sa THE HURON EXPOSITOR, January 4, 1995-3 HENSALL SHUFFLEBOARD December 27, 1994 High five game winners: Paul McKnight (447); and Pat Davis (285). High six game winners: Hazel McEwen (587); Helen McKay (493); Russell Ferguson (402); Dave Woodward (376); John Pepper (374); and Lloyd Lovell (369). McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth. 527-1140 •Service -Selection 'Savings •Satisfaction •Leasing •Complete BODY SHOP Service CAR & TRUCK RENTALS Division of Suncoast Ford 500 Huron Rd., Goderich CALL COLLECT Ask for Helen 524-8347 McMaster Siemon AINSURANCE BROKERS INC. AUTO l a l:l •n r FARM l a 1 I' l r/i / / /: 2 l l 1 l LEY/: /\\i.4',\( l' BROKERS BILL SUWON VICKI SIEMON DAN PROCTOR 68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150 -N TRAFFIC Y EDUCATION DEFENSIVE = n'I DRIVING 1 NSTRUCTION s WinCOter DriURSESving School Starting At ' Mitchell District High School Jan. 17, 7-10 p.m. WE OFFER * Gravel Nadi'* Freeway Driving * H1ghvaY Dt1Wng *Skid Control * Shoulder Drop Otte * Brake and Advanced Techniques Michael Bart, Instructor Member of Stratford Chamber of Commerce 91 Brunswick St. Stratford For Further Information Call 273-2837 Wishing You A Safe & Happy Holiday Season No pre-registrtaion fee required J C®11aaafty 6:1)1f i it �I1 Call .for Suppliers - The County is creating a Suppliers List, and suppliers of materials and services are asked to add their names to the list by writing the County. The purpose of the Suppliers List is to facilitate the purchasing process by identifying and keeping a list of potential suppliers who will be asked for quotes for purchases. The County of Huron purchases a variety of materials and services such as printing, office supplies and office equipment, automotive materials, maintenance supplies, and health care supplies. Suppliers are asked to submit in writing their name, and the materials and services they produce. All submissions should be addressed to the Clerk -Administrator. Clerk -Administrator County of Huron Court House, Goderich Ontario, N7A 1M2 FAX: (519) 524-2044 ■ ■ Dublin Banking Centre ANNOUNCES New Business Hours January 3, 1995 FULL BANKING SERVICES MONDAY - THURSDAY 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. FRIDAY 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p m. PERSONAL LOANS/MORTGAGES AND INVESTMENTS By appointment MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. "Our Staff at the Dublin branch will now focus exclusively on the needs o/'our personal banking customers" said Jerome (;riurl CIBC's District Manager