Cole you're right but dollar to a donut this wasn't a big herd. I'd be surprised if it was more than a dozen.
May be like curdog says. If you got a fresh cow and put her calf in the wagon she'll follow it all day long. I've done that in a pickup more than a few times. Also hoisted a few up in front of me on horseback to make mama follow. The calf will sure foul your nest but you will bring mama home.
