Rinderhirten Management
(RHM)

 

The responsibilities of cattle herding management encompass a variety of tasks essential for the care and supervision of cattle herds. These include driving the herd into corrals and moving them between pastures. The work also involves sorting animals and capturing escaped cattle.
Another important aspect is the ability to perform remote immobilization using a blowpipe, but only under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Overall, the role of cattle herding management requires a wide range of skills, including animal care, technical understanding of fences and equipment, as well as the ability to collaborate with veterinarians for medical procedures.

Arbeit am Behandlungsstand

Blutproben / Ohrmarken

Ruhige Treibearbeit

Treiben einer großen Heckrinderherde

Entlaufender Bulle

Rinder im Wald gefunden

Entlaufende Herde

IMG_0239[1]

Who performs the activities?
The Rinderhirten RH gUG (limited liability) relies on the members of the Rinderhirten e.V. association. The working riders used have been trained according to the RH training curriculum. Through regular outdoor training sessions with cattle and herds organized by the association, both the riders and their horses are accustomed to working with cattle as a team. We conduct team training with various herds and breeds, including Heck cattle. This approach reduces stress and increases safety for the animals. The Rinderhirten e.V. also offers trail riding. This terrain training ensures that horse-rider pairs can safely perform their tasks even in difficult terrain (e.g., capturing escaped cattle).
The Rinderhirten RH gUG (limited liability) selects the work team based on the tasks required. The training level of the working riders is considered for cattle work (see RH training curriculum). The deployment is led by the Rinderhirten operations management team. This leadership team consists of horse-rider pairs with advanced training and experience in the field. During operations, they represent the management of Rinderhirten RH gUG (limited liability). (Listed by name under RHA-RH trainers)
A liability insurance policy is in place, covering any damages caused by the cattle or the RH team. (Up to €5 million per individual incident)
In Germany, it is common to offer such activities as a workshop or cattle course. Often, the course participants are working with cattle for the first time. Untrained or inexperienced horse-rider pairs are tasked with the work. In these cases, insurance coverage typically refers to riding instructor liability insurance. However, this type of insurance often does not cover damages caused by the cattle. The Rinderhirten RH gUG (limited liability) and Rinderhirten e.V. expressly distance themselves from this approach to cattle work.
Definition – Working Rider: A rider who, together with their horse, is trained to work with cattle or cattle herds in open terrain (pastures, forests, etc.). Training involves learning to work in teams with various types of cattle and herd sizes (herding, sorting).

Advantages for Cattle Breeders and Farmers
Work Efficiency and Time Savings
Gathering, driving, or sorting a herd of cattle requires a significant number of personnel on foot and a considerable amount of time. With our working method, the client can save both time and personnel.

• Workplace Safety
  Using personnel on foot around cattle herds poses a high risk of injury (e.g., underestimating the speed of a cow). By employing members of Rinderhirten e.V. with their specially trained horses, this risk of injury is significantly reduced.
• Animal Welfare / Animal Protection
  The physical and psychological stress on the cattle is greatly reduced.

• Animal and Landscape Protection
  Traditional work with cattle herds using motorized tools often causes damage to pastures and, in difficult terrain—especially in protected landscapes—leads to long-term problems. These damages are minimized by certified rider/horse teams.
• Cattle Capture
  Escaped cattle usually retreat into forests or hard-to-reach areas. Trained horses can detect the presence of cattle before humans can see them. Thanks to the horses, we are able to follow the animals even through dense undergrowth and corner them. The police helicopters often used to locate escaped cattle are rarely successful and very expensive—they can locate the animals but not catch them. If necessary, we can also use a blowpipe to sedate the animal.