The Singing Scoutmaster: Lead Steer, The

In the early 1800s, before railroads, the only way to move cattle from the west to the big cities was to drive the huge herds of cattle across the planes to places like Kansas City and St. Louis. Trails like the Chisholm Trail were marked as the best routes that would provide water, food, river crossings, and safety from man and beast. Cowboys would be on the trail for weeks at a time moving the cattle before finally arriving at their destination.

Each herd had a lead steer, which was usually an older longhorn that had been trained to lead the way along the trail. The cowboys would get the lead steer moving each morning, and he would slowly start leading the way up the trail to the destination. The herd would fall into line behind the lead steer and follow him. Cowboys would ride on the flanks and the rear to keep the stragglers from wandering away from the herd. The lead steer was so special that after completing a trail drive, the cowboys would drive him back home to lead another herd up the trail. This would be repeated time and again.

The story of the lead steer points out that leadership is a valuable skill and that it is a skill that can be taught. As Scouts we will be given many opportunities.