After branding, it’s time to turn the cows out to their BLM allotment. We pay rent for this pasture. The following mornings were spent turning pairs through the gate. We only had four cowboys and I spent time in my sxs kicking small bunches towards the gate, slowly, hoping the cowboys could handle them and…
Back to Branding
I know, so many branding photos… but I can’t forget the kids of branding… even though I think I easily missed 5 or 6 kids… they were gone. They were blurry. Or I just missed them, but here are the rest. Sorry to the kids I missed…
Throwback Thursday: Eight Steps to Happiness, v.2.0
This was first posted April 24, 2016. Step One: Convince the girls they actually CAN exit through the gate that’s been closed to them all winter. Step Two: The first real test for mommas and babies… can you please stay together as you transverse the ranch yard around tractors and sheds and granaries and gas…
Branding Portraits 2
A continuation from yesterday…
Portraits of Branding
One thing I tried to do this branding was to get a close-up of everyone. Just so you know… that was difficult and pretty near impossible! I had my camera set to “portrait” mode. I thought that was a great idea. Portrait mode, however, takes a bit to focus… and brandings are fast-moving. I ended…
Ah, the Horses
Roping calves is a talent. Sooooo many variables. Wind, cold, obstacles… The calf… independent animal, goes wherever. You have to swing your loop, time it right as a calf takes a step, jerk your slack at the right time so the loop tightens over the hind legs, take your dally without catching (and losing) your…
Let’s Go!
Whew. Ugh. Ow. It was a full, full day yesterday. And we’ve all spent today recuperating. It was branding day. We began by gathering the pasture. Then, there was sorting the cows and calves. Then, it began. The fire was built, the irons were hot. Ropers tightened their cinches and swung their ropes. Beware. Days…
Organization Day
Today was organization day. The plates and bowls and silverware. The chili and Fritos and deviled eggs and… the rest. Tables. Chairs. Drinks. Whatever it takes to feed 25-30 people and brand calves. My part… a berry cobbler… which I always cut in our brand in the crust…
Throwback Thursday: Not So, v.2.0
This was first published April 16, 2016. (Part Two) Two bags of IV fluid, antibiotics, electrolytes… and the calf lays on my lawn, in the warmth of the afternoon sun. We alternate a bottle of milk replacer with a bottle of electrolytes a couple of hours later… hoping the fluid will kick his gut back…
Wordless Wednesday: Waiting
For a jigsaw puzzle of “waiting”, go HERE.
Big Things Happen at Small Libraries
Well, it was interesting, slightly nerve wracking, enjoyable, and a once in a lifetime event. Wyoming PBS creates a great little show entitled Wyoming Chronicle. While they initially show on Wyoming PBS, the programs soon live on YouTube. Go watch some! PBS found their way to Ten Sleep and, yes, we sat down with Steve…
Back
We continued to work cows…. Some of us switched to horses. A few were sorted off. They trailed them out… These were added to a different bunch and others were separated out. And back the way we came…