NOTICE TO THE HELP
Howdy Friends! Yesterday when I Posted about Lizzy beginning her Doc Thomas Chinese Herbs, a number of friends noticed the sign on the barn wall, “NOTICE TO THE HELP.” And asked what it said.
LIZZY LOOKING FOR ME IN THE TACK ROOM – WD Hoard sign on wall.
A bit of history on that sign. Until 1983 Robbie and I had a 50 cow dairy farm in PA. And being a believer in all things kind and caring whenever we are placed by God as stewards over His animals, I had this sign hanging in our dairy barn. It is a quote from WD Hoard, one of our nation’s premiere dairymen. We also subscribed to his magazine, “Hoard’s Dairyman.”
The quote from WD Hoard is so impactful and accurate, I had a friend put those words of truth on this sign some 40 years ago. And treasure it to this day.
This sign, that hung in our dairy barn, and subsequently in my horse barns reads:
“NOTICE TO THE HELP: THE RULE to be observed in this stable at all times, toward the cattle, young and old, is that of patience and kindness. A man’s usefullness in a herd ceases at once when he loses his temper and bestows rough usage. Men must be patient. Cattle are not reasoning beings. Remember that this is the Home of Mothers. Treat each cow as a Mother should be treated. The giving of milk is a function of Motherhood; rough treatment lessens the flow. That injures me as well as the cow. Always keep these ideas in mind in dealing with my cattle.” ~ W.D. Hoard.
I continue to believe a good steward, animal husbandry, and handler of any livestock, or animal, should and must practice, “patience and kindness.”
So there ya have it. The story behind the sign. ~ Gitty Up, Dutch.
