A good vacation isn’t always about taking it easy as I found out when I tried cattle herding on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

I ride several times a week, but I have never had the chance to say “git along little doggies”. Turns out, that’s not the correct phase; you yell “hep” and use your horse to get the cows to move. A good cow horse has a ‘look’ that can convince even the most stubborn of calves to move along.

 The hard part is getting started. Facing the whole herd and being outnumbered about fifty to one was intimidating, but my horse Blondie was an old pro and plowed into the herd with abandon. We moved the herd to a new pasture although I suspect the cows could have managed fine without us.

It was tremendous fun and I’d encourage anyone who’s watched the movie City Slickers with envy to head over to the Princeville Ranch stables next time you find yourself in Hawaii.

For more information visit www.princevilleranch.com.