Temple Grandin

One of my favorite movies recently was

Temple Grandin.

Naturally, it called to me, being about a woman who helped in the world of ranching and stockmanship.  The movie did not let me down.  It was one of those that I didn't want to end.  I wanted to see what else she had done.  I'm not going to talk about the movie, and what it was about, so as not to 'ruin' it for you, in case you want to go see it. 

I knew a lot of what she had done, but the movie was pretty clear on what/why she did.  Along with the fact that Autism has almost always been something that soooo interests me.  I've worked with Autistic children, and they are without doubt, incredible.  If you don't know what I mean, then you should find out.  If you do know what I mean, thank you for understanding! 

I've worked cattle and horses nearly all my life, and frankly, I took alot of the equipment for granted.  But, watching this movie explained alot to me, and why some places have the equipment the way they do.  Not all places I've worked do, but I'm happy to say that alot do.  I'm including a few of my own pictures of one place that does, from just last weekend.  I'm not going to try to explain alot, just happy to be able to show some. 

Following quotes are from

templegrandin.com

Even though she was considered "weird" in her young school years, she eventually found a mentor, who recognized her interests and abilities. Dr. Grandin later developed her talents into a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world. She has now designed the facilities in which half the cattle are handled in the United States, consulting for firms such as Burger King, McDonald's, Swift, and others.

One more quote from templegrandin.com

Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. In North America, almost half of the cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system that she designed for meat plants. Curved chute and race systems she has designed for cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce stress on their animals during handling.

These next pictures are also from her website.  They show some really large operations.  It would be incredible to work at these facilities!

These pictures are mine, from last weekend.

Above is my friend, Rusty, working on the ground.  When Wayne and I bring the cattle, she swings the big green gate shut behind them.  The gate ratchets, and slowly ushers the cattle along. 

After the last cattle have gone thru the loop, Wayne opens the green gate again, and we go bring another group of cattle.  On the right above, is one cow, making her way along the loop. 

Above right, is Darren Hegerhorst.  He's another friend of ours.  (Also, he is the contact on my previous blog, for the Benefit Roping for Danielle)

Above, I just felt like adding some colts to this blog!  Aren't they cute?

Anyway, even if you're not really interested in cattle, the movie would be of value to anyone with a heart.

Jessie