The boys and I were horseback, Vernon and Johnny on their four wheelers, when we went down to get the heifers and bring them home. They were in a pasture only a few miles from the corral… we had put them there after AI-ing them, then later we moved them across the creek, but took them the long way around (about 3 miles) to go 50 feet to the opposite side. That didn’t make a lot of sense until you remember the creek was running high.
Now, it’s a few weeks later, the creek has lowered and we need to test the heifers to see if they’re pregnant, and then ship them to the top of the mountain where they can get fat and sassy!
A few days ago, Tess was crossing at an established place on the creek, when her horse found a freshly washed hole unknown to any of us. Down she and her horse went. Zip didn’t freak, he just couldn’t get his feet under him. Tess came out soaking wet with a few bruises. That’s our third horse wreck in as many weeks… I’m totally paranoid and I haven’t been riding as much! When the boys said they were crossing the creek (in a different spot) but I could stay behind and gather my side of the creek, I was extremely agreeable. It didn’t stop me from taking a photo as they crossed. Shoot! The creek wasn’t even a foot deep!
They figured they could bring the heifers on the opposite side back and get them to cross which would save us miles of traveling to the nearest bridge.
If you look closely, the big bunch of heifers is across the creek, while a few have trailed over to my side, leading them. The boys are also visible, giving them enough pressure to bring them my way.
No problem. Soon we were out on the highway, heading home.
No rain. No wind. No mosquitoes. No wrecks. No problem crossing. Just a perfect little ride on a cool Wyoming morning.
Great photos. So glad that Tess and her horse were ok. Water can be scary stuff.
It’s amazing to me how much it looks like the countryside around me here north of Los Angeles. Of course, except for perhaps three months of the year in a good year, there is no water running through it. Love your stories (a Colorado boy in exile here in CA).
Glad you’re enjoying this blog! Thanks for commenting!
and I use to wonder what ranchers did with all their spare time, just never realized how much work was involved with cattle- sure different than our Iowa farm years ago!
It seems like we’re always going!