Tire Tread Drill

I gripped the angled cleat of the parked tractor’s rear tire. A proper footing drill tests grip before patrol. I planted my left hoof into the deep rubber groove and hauled upward. The vulcanized tread was stiff and thick with dried mud crumbs. At the third lug, my rear hoof caught loose grit and skidded two inches. I dropped my center of gravity immediately, anchoring both forearms against the heavy rubber ridge until the slide stopped. Breath steady. I did not drop down. Stepping deliberate and wide, I scaled the final two treads to the summit of the wheel arch. High vantage gained. The engine hood stretched straight ahead.