Droving

Droving is the practice of moving livestock over long distances by walking them "on the hoof".

Droving stock to market, usually on foot and often with the aid of dogs, has a very long history in the Old World. There has been droving since cities found it necessary to source food from distant supplies. Romans are said to have had drovers and their flocks following their armies to feed their soldiers.

Transport to market

An individual owner of livestock cannot both take stock to market and care for other animals while they make a long journey. So the owner must entrust his stock to an agent, a drover, who will deliver the stock to market and bring back the proceeds. Drovers took their herds and flocks down traditional routes with organised sites for overnight shelter and fodder for men and for animals.

The journey might last from a few days to months. The animals had to be driven so they would be in good condition on arrival. There would have to be prior agreement for payment for stock lost or animals born on the journey and the proceeds of any sales on the way for such as milk and cream. Until provincial banking developed a drover returning to base must be carrying substantial sums of money. Being in a position of great trust the drover might carry to the market town money to be banked and important letters and take with them people not familiar with the road.