06/19/2026
Livestock, no matter how friendly or manageable are still livestock.
Large animals that can move a whole lot faster than you think and can be unpredictable at times...even the gentlest ones.
You have to be mindful of them and yourself at all times and even then, accidents happen.
Our friends hand was seriously injured in a shearing accident a few years back. She was out of commission for the rest of that season and she has been shearing for over 20 years....
Another shearer in Canada was just recently seriously injured and and he is now out of commission for this season...and these are professionals just like the people in the story below.
THIS is why we don't let visitors into our animals enclosures.
Are our animals friendly...yes.
Do we handle them on a regular basis so our veterinarians and shearers don't have to fight with them...yes.
Have we gotten hurt when working with our own animals...yes.
We aren't being mean, we are protecting YOU.
So thankful for professionals like these folks and for fellow farmers who share everything...the good, the bad and the ugly so we can help educate others.
We had an accident here on the ranch last night that resulted in a call to 911. Let me tell you something…
We had hired a hoof trimmer to come work our herd. These folks are professionals and travel all over the country helping farmers and ranchers just like us. As we were getting everything set up, one of our bulls got into the chute area before we were ready. It all happened so fast.
In a matter of seconds, the trimmer’s 19-year-old son was tossed in the air, injured and ended up needing 24 stitches.
Thankfully, he’s going to be okay. Just gonna be very sore for a while. 🙏
As I’ve replayed the incident in my mind, one thing keeps standing out: it happened incredibly fast. There was no time to react, no time to warn anyone, and no time to stop it once it started.
I share a lot of photos and videos of our miniature Highlands and HighParks. Social media tends to highlight the fluffy hair, tiny calves, and the adorable moments, and rightfully so. We love these animals.
But I also think it’s important to remember that no matter their size, breed, or personality, they are still livestock and deserve respect as such.
Even well-handled cattle can be unpredictable. Even experienced livestock people can find themselves in a dangerous situation. One split second is all it takes.
I also want to give a huge shout-out to Marshall Livestock Services LLC . Throughout this entire ordeal they have been nothing but professional, understanding, and gracious. Despite what happened, they’ll be returning to finish the job, which speaks volumes about their character and dedication to their customers.
We’re incredibly thankful their son is recovering, and we’re wishing him a quick and complete healing.
This life is rewarding, but situations like this are a reminder that livestock deserve our respect every single day. And please spare me the opinions on bottle raised cattle, they can be UNPREDICTABLE no matter how they are raised.
