Pagi Pearl of Wisdom
Pagi (Par-g-ee) is the affectionate name my kids call my Dad. A mish-mash of ‘Grandpa’ I guess. He loves it and it suits him.
Pagi has many sayings, some of which provide an interesting mish-mash of the English language in themselves.
Fastiduous, for example. (Translation: fastidious)
And Thriple for triple.
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But he also has some pretty universal truths in his favourite phrases.
The following is my personal favourite (although this one is a corker too!)…
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“WORK HIM WIDE”
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Perhaps this seems a bit, well, cryptic?
What he means when he utters this advice, usually to a rider in the paddock or yards, is give the cow or steer (or whatever) a bit more space. He’s saying you are too close, and infringing on their ‘flight zone’.
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The ‘flight zone’ is that invisible area around every breathing thing that is sacred, that line circling you that causes you respond when someone enters without invitation.
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To get technical with you, Brahmans (or Bos Indicus cattle – the ones with the humps and smooth coats and exotic look about them) often have a wider flight zone than Bos Taurus cattle (Angus, Herefords etc: the woolier ones!). As a result they often suffer the unfair reputation as being ‘wilder’.
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They usually aren’t, they just have wider flight zones. And once you understand and respect that, they will work well with you. It’s all in the sensitivity you have for their personal space.
We have mostly Brangus cattle (a breed originating from a hybrid of Brahman and Angus) and they have flight zones somewhere between the two. You don’t have to physically push them or whack them with a green stick to move them, but they usually don’t bolt for the hills when they see you either.
It always pays to “feel out” their flight zones anyway, just to see where you stand.
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I think “work him wide” is a mantra which translates pretty darned well into everyday life. In country life. In city life. In corporate life. In family life. With men and with women. In all aspects of my life til now.
In your life too, maybe?
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Of course sometimes, after you’ve tried working ’em wide, you have to say:
“To hell with flight zones, lets get this puppy moving.”
Then, to keep your (figurative or literal) beast on track, you’ve gotta hang on tight and ride like hell.
7 Comments
Pencil Writer
That is one sleek and fine lookin’ Brangus critter you have there! We have those kinds of critters around here, too! Funny how the Brahma’s look so completely docile in pictures of them in India, right? But, as you said, they’re known for needing a wide berth because of “anger issues” or something.
By the way, how your new pony? He was very handsome, himself. Love the pic of he and Dash together. Dash looks like the kind of young man who’ll be off playing polo before long. Seriously, he looks very princely, esp. in that one photo!
Andrea
I am terrified of bulls. We have an Angus Brahma mix and he is just scary. My husband rides bulls and says he likes the brahmas. Your Brangus looks beautiful!! So shiney!!
debby
No bull, your dad sounds like a wise man.
jeanie
Hey darling – sneaking in under your flight path to “tag” you with a “meme” – ha ha – its sort of like truth dare but far more polite and on the internet. Details on my post.
Oh, and your post got a certain imitation of Mr Zillman going in my head “When they stop…”
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
PW – no anger issues here (amongst the bovines anyway!). I will post some pics soon to prove how incredibly quiet they can be… hope you enjoyed the latest Dash and RR episode…
Andrea – how bizarre that you are frightened of bulls and your hubby rides them (maybe BECAUSE he rides them??). We call them Brahmans (with an ‘n’ – don;t know why. Another American-Aussie blip).
Debby – you are correct. A correct smarty pants. But correct nonetheless. And I love ya!
Hope your personal spaces are all intact!
BB
Pencil Writer
You DID change the pic of said Brahma(n) bull critter! You must feed you cattle very well! And yes, I did enjoy the further pics of Dash and RR. What a pair!
Jenni
I must be a Brahman as I have a very wiiiiiide flight zone.