A theoretical iuodel is presented linking three factors: I) tick burden on cattle, 2) habitat use by cattle, 3) tick abundance in the vegetation within the habitat. Preliminary data to lest the model was collected on a ranch in the highveld of Zimbabwe. Tick burdens were directly measured on individual cattle randomly selected out of a given herd prior to dipping. Rhipicephalus eversti, R. appendiculatus, Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes were the most abundant tick species. Habitat use by cattle has been monitored for three years with repeated observations from road transects.. Tick abundance in the habitats has been related to a vegetation map of the study site by GIS. Habitat use is not random, showing a strong preference for Acacia bush vegetation and avoidance of Terminalia dominated habitats. Tick abundance in the vegetation (larvae) varies according to vegetation type and proximity to water holes. Although further work is needed to fully understand and test this model it can provide some information regarding the infestation rate. By using the model, pasture spelling and dipping frequency can be adjusted, thus lowering costs.