Fences, Holding Cows Out And Kids IN

It seems there are as many kinds of fences as there are people building them. Around here fences denote a full time job in themselves. If I am looking for something to do, which is seldom, all I have to do is look at the fences. Barbed wire, woven wire, wood plank, hog panel, cattle panel and electric. You name it we’ve got it and most could use a little attention.

Actually there are just two kinds of fences, physical barriers and mental barriers. A barbed wire fence is a physical barrier while an electric fence is a mental barrier. A well built barbed wire fence will turn a cow because it looks imposing to the cow, not to mention all those little stickers. An electric fence, on the other hand must be tested by the curious cow and suffice it to say they learn quickly that the one little strand of unimposing smooth wire packs a pretty good kick.

I like to think these two fences also work raising kids. No I am not stretching barbed wire across the front door or hooking their doorknobs to an electric fence box but I think we all as parents lay down both mental and physical barriers to help control, (raise) our kids.

I personally like the electric fence concept best, were the cows, I mean kids, know how far they can push before they touch the hot wire. Most kids and cows will test the fence at least once but they soon learn there are limitations.

My oldest and only daughter, a college junior to be, said it best, "growing up around here, there really weren’t a lot of hard set rules, but there were expectations," and when they weren’t met everyone knew it. That’s what I would call an electric fence.

Actually this young lady has been well trained. I don’t remember her ever even testing the fence and she always seems to want to stay in.

Our oldest son, two years her junior, on the other hand is more like a young beef calf. Fence are more like a challenge to him, pushing through, knocking down, shorting out and pretty much testing both physical and mental barriers but he always comes back in the fence to check with momma.

Our second son, entering his first year of high school, is a mystery to me as far as fencing goes. I guess the only way to keep this one in would be one of those concrete pits and ten foot fences you see the lions and tigers in at the zoo. Mental barriers are only a reason to turn on the charm and physical barriers are just a bump in the road.

Last but of course not least, our third son. I think one of those invisible dog fences would do the trick. Just throw up a few of those little white flags and this soon to be sixth grader will come running back with a three hour tale of what and I mean exactly what happened, to the word.

Yes Grace, my wife, and I have four kids, all very different with different fencing needs. I will admit though that they are all great kids most of the time.

If I can ever get them raised, and sometimes I think this will never come to pass, fencing for cows and calves should be a breeze.

Just a thought.
Stuart Mattingly
rissie@10acresbackyard.com

Stuart Mattingly runs a fifth generation family dairy farm in Central Kentucky. You can visit the farm at http://www.10acresbackyard.com

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