In the summer we'd peg the non working bulls out in the fields. We'd move them once a day and feed and water twice. I remember going out with a new lad to water them. They'd got a 3m length of chain and we'd move the pin to the edge of the eaten grass circle. Being the senior partner of us two i jumped on the tractor the lad had the job of filling the water bowls with a hose attached to the bottom of the back of the towed water bowser. One bull, a huge Simmental was standing right in front of the tractor. If i drove around him it would take the hose out of reach of the bowls so i told the lad to give the bull a push. No reaction. OK, i said, slap him on the arse. No affect. OK, slap him on the inside of his thight, but get in close in case he kicks. An unrepeatable reply...
Seriously, just slap him. He'll take the hint.
No effect. OK, flick one of his nuts...
I'll admit i was seeing how far he'd follow my instructions plus see what this stubborn git would need to get him to move. I'd already tried nudging with the tractor, revving the engine and tooting the horn before putting newby to work.
I forget what he did next but it worked, sort of. Yes he moved his arse but also pulled the pin up.
Another golden rule at Avoncroft was DON'T REMOVE THE SLEDGE HAMMER FROM THE BACK OF THE TRACTOR! That was so you didn't have to ask the bull to wait there, i'll just nip back to the mealhouse and grab a sledge hammer to knock your pin back in...
The lad jumped into the tractor in fright. I got out and walked over and picked up the pin and then held it over my head and waved it to show the guys who were walking back from the far field moving the bulls. One of them started walking towards me with a hammer. The bull at this point was just standing there. The gaffer was also with them and he too started walking towards me.
Great, just what i need...
All of a sudden, this bull, a Simmental, a bloody huge Simmental lets out a very loud moo!
I think it was along the lines of either WHAT YOU LOOKING AT? or YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR 'KIN HEAD KICKED IN! because he starts trotting off to my left towards the next row of bulls. This trot got quicker...
I'm now shouting whoa and stop and whatever i thought might make him slow down because i'm now sprinting after him flicking the pin up and down trying to remind him i'm connected to his ring.
All to no affect!
It's round about this point my gaffer shouts, "don't try to stop him, just run with him."
'KIN IDIOT!
I've now reached that point that few people reach. It's that point at which, and i know it sounds unbelievable, but it ain't, where you are moving your legs left and right as fast as you can but my upper body is moving faster so i'm slowly being pulled onto my face.
You'd think you just need to make longer strides but it doen't happen. So i let go.
Mr Simmental is aiming at an Ayreshire who is as it happens standing at right angles to us. Simon, i forget his actual name, puts his head down and hits the Ayreshire right in the middle! The Ayreshire goes up in the air right over Simon's back and lands on his face, back, ear I forget which but lands in a heap. I'm thinking, "this is it! Carnage in the paddock!"
None of it. Nothing happened. Simon just stood there. The Ayreshire just stood up and wisely just stood there. I slowly walks around to the far side of Simon, picks up his pin and lead him back to his circle.
I've reached the towing speed of let go or else three times. That was either the second or third time, i can't remember which. I remember the first time. Only one of our teasers was a cow. Usually only came out when a bull wouldn't mount a bullock. She use to wear a pair of what we called knickers. I'm sure that isn't what you'd ask the farming shop for. It was just a leather sheet that slipped under her tail and was held in place with straps so in theory, no holes were exposed...
Well just before i started working there, it failed and she had twins. One of each. I missed the second birth by about a minute when i was feeding one morning. It was one of these two that dragged me along until i had to let go and then when i did and stopped leaning forwards and leant back i slipped on the wet grass and travelled about fifteen feet on my arse! Much to the amusement of my collegues. Oh yes we(THEY) laughed about it for DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!