After the Show Show
The thing about this past branding...
When we're done branding and eating...
We're NOT finished.
There's one big obstacle left called, in usual imaginative Wyoming terms, "The Big Grey Ridge".
So everyone that has brought a pony, and has the time to help, joins in.
The first part is easy.
The second part can be tricky.
Think moist soft soil from all the rain.
Sidehills like this can be nervewracking for a mother who watches her youngest's horse do an awesome turn on his hindquarters. If he wasn't on the steepest part of the slope at the time, I would have liked it much better.
The third part, if you're not a more experienced rough country rider, can get you in a jackpot.
With rimrock and cedar trees and calves that want to run back... you better have an idea of what you're doing, because it all happens on a 60* hillside.
I squint through my binoculars... and think "They're almost over the top, this time we did good!"
But, unseen, 8 calves slipped away through the cedars as they topped the hill, and the riders brought back the mommas... looking for their calves.
Not a good job after all!
Everyone was reunited, though...
the last of the cookies were snagged...
and our day *was* over.
****
May 16, 2010 Not Quite Making It
May 16, 2009 Branded
May 16, 2008 No entry.
Posted by Carol at 5/16/2011 9:24 PM 
Categories: Ranchlife, Wyoming, Cattle, Scenery
Tags: ranch Wyoming cattle
Categories: Ranchlife, Wyoming, Cattle, Scenery
Tags: ranch Wyoming cattle
It does sound pretty nerve wracking to ride or watch... Glad all are ok... Beautiful country...
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The guys wouldn't think twice about it... it's everday stuff, but I was trained to help Girl Scouts go ride in this country, and even though they were experienced riders, you told them step by step what to do if. So many times experienced riders did the wrong thing, and could have had a bad wreck. Does that make me paranoid? Probably. I prefer to call it safety conscious!
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Sometimes you lose calves, but you know, our theory is, mother nature has a way of sorting these things out and often, without our help, mamas and babies are reunited.
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