What you will not find on the Ranch:

Running a ranch means making choices every day, from the animals we raise to the tools we use. At Silo Springs Ranch, we’ve made some conscious decisions about what won’t be part of our ranch. Here are three things you won’t find on our pastures—and why.

1. Horned Cattle

First up, no horns! All of our cows are what’s called "polled," meaning they’re naturally hornless. This is purely a safety choice—one I feel strongly about. If you’ve ever seen a full-grown cow swinging her head around with sharp horns, you’d understand! Whether working in close quarters or out in the pasture, having hornless cattle makes everything safer for both us and the herd.

You won’t spot any iconic longhorns grazing here, but I’m more than happy to stick with polled cows. It gives me peace of mind knowing there’s one less thing to worry about when working with these big, powerful animals.

2. Cattle Prods

Another thing you won’t find on our ranch? Cattle prods. Think of them as cow tasers—tools some ranchers use to "encourage" cattle to move. They aren’t part of our program here at Silo Springs Ranch.

In fact, the use of cattle prods is one of several reasons we opted not to pursue certain “ethical certifications.” Ironically, these certifications allow for the use of prods, which doesn’t align with our beliefs. We believe in handling our cows with care, using calm and gentle methods to move them when needed. Keeping stress levels low is essential for both the cows’ well-being and the quality of the beef we produce.

3. A Cow Farrier

I know—you’ve probably seen videos of farriers working on cow hooves, and they can be pretty fascinating. But at Silo Springs Ranch, we don’t employ a cow farrier for one simple reason: bad feet mean bad genetics.

For beef cattle, strong, healthy hooves are essential. Cows with weak or malformed feet can’t thrive on the ranch, and for us, that means they don’t make the cut to stay in our beef program. If a cow has hoof problems, it’s a sign that their offspring might inherit the same issue, and we’re all about maintaining a strong, healthy herd. So, while hoof trimming may be common in dairy or show cattle, it’s not something we need to do here.

Why It Matters

At Silo Springs Ranch, we’re focused on quality—not just in the beef we produce, but in the way we care for our animals and manage our land. Whether it’s choosing hornless cattle for safety, avoiding cattle prods for ethical reasons, or maintaining a herd with strong genetics, each decision we make is guided by our commitment to raising happy, healthy cattle.

We’re always happy to answer questions about why we do what we do, so feel free to ask! Our practices may be a bit different from what you’d expect, but we think that’s what makes Silo Springs Ranch special.

Thanks for being part of the journey!

Arlin and Audrey in the pasture with the herd.