Coyote-
Only someone who has experienced sub-zero F. weather can relate to ALL of the sensations one feels at that temperature! When one inhales strongly through the nose - and the hairs in the nose crack and break from the cold (at -2 F. with no wind chill factor) - does one realize that they must carefully watch their fingers and toes! When the eyelids freeze together, :cry2: and the lungs feel as if there is a red-hot poker in the middle of the chest :roll: - THEN it is time to get somewhere warmer - but not TOO warm!--and when you cough up flecks of blood :dunce: - THEN you need to look for a nice, fresh, warm cow pie to stick your hands into, and get the heck back to the barn! :nod: :wave: Battery heated gloves and socks are worth all the effort and inconvenience they may cause one when it is necessary to be in that kind of cold for a long time. If your feet are numb - - you are NUMB :? :dunce: ALL over, and your thinking responses and reflexes slow down - sometimes dangerously so! Thinking ahead and preparation for this type of working is absolutely imperative.
Coyote, how many head of cattle were you handling, and how many dogs do you allocate for a certain number of head of cattle? Did you train the dogs to work together? Do you ever have booties for the dogs? I know that they do use the boots for the Alaskan Ididerod (sp?) Dog Races.
Any additional information regarding the dog/cow Ratio from anyone would be appreciated.
DOC HARRIS