Learning To Drive Oxen

If you have ever wanted to drive oxen, you may have thought where do you go to learn this unique trade. That answer is found at the Farm And Ranch Museum in Gering. On Saturday around 20 individuals from Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado took part in a Oxen Driving School.

Participants came from Scotts Bluff National Monument, Bent's Old Fort of La Junta, Colorado as well others interested in the history as well as the process in training cattle to pull a wagon and become responsive to voice and body commands.

Attendees came to learn from the Bromptom family of Crook, Colorado. They are considered experts in the field as their family uses the oxen to do work on their family's ranch doing chores like hauling a round bale, a load of water or to drag a field. They also use

Heather Brompstom is one of the four Bromptom sisters. She says they often start the training process as weaners or as early as calves.

The Brompstone raise Limousin/Hereford cross cattle, hay, a few sheep along with their oxen. Through the years, they have trained several steer calves. Some were their Limousin/Hereford cross calves, other were Holstein, Brown Swiss, but for their father Jim Brompton, he prefers using Jersey steer calves because they are hardworking, docile and they are people oriented.

The Brompton's also use their oxen to educate others about the important role of oxen in hauling pioneers and supplies on the Overland and Oregon Trail.

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