Assess what rustlers do (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
take stock
'assess' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for take stock that I've seen before include "Review a situation - assess holdings" , "as shoplifters do" , "See how the land lies" , "Make an appraisal" , "Make inventory or examine own position" .)