Most of today was spent on horseback, and as the title implies- I rode Dan, the three year old.
We got chores done fairly early this morning and saddled up right away. The whole crew was in today, including Glen (six all together) and we were going to move cattle out to summer pastures. We started with some cow calf pairs. We sorted them out then drove them a few miles, then paired them off when we got there. This whole process takes quite a bit of time, but we got it done and were only four cows and one calf short (which is pretty good for this country). By this time it was about eleven and the plan was to go and brand the few bottle calves we have. So, Merle asked me if I could go start dinner while they did that...lol, me, dinner? But, I managed not to screw anything up too bad, most of it was just microwaving! Most days, we come in and Merle has to cook while we sit there an wait, this way it was ready and we could eat and go.
After dinner, we saddled back up and loaded up and moved out to another pasture of pairs. This time we split up and I ended up alone trying to clear out a corner, making sure there weren't any calves hiding. This was one of the first times I was riding alone and felt like I sorta knew where I was going and what I was doing- pretty cool! During this time Dan and I had a few wars- like we sometimes do, but I win most of them, and he eventually gives up. He's grey, and real cute and gentle, but sometimes has a mind of his own when it comes to neck reining!
So we got that set moved and paired off and were only one calf too many...so we either lost a cow or picked up someone elses calf- who knows! Then, we loaded back up and headed to a few dry cows and moved them, and then loaded up another time and moved some late calvers in to brand. By the time I ran and got some extra vaccines for branding they were about done and it was time to do chores. Tina helped me, and we got them done pretty fast. After chores she invited me to eat supper with her in Martin. So, we went to the "H" (the local bar) and had a burger- it was kinda nice to just hang out like that, haven't done that since I got here. But, it was short and sweet. She headed home and I went to the grocery store and post office and headed back to the ranch. I sat on the hill a while and chatted on my cell phone, then did a few more chores and that puts me here.
It's sprinkling and looks like rain~pray for rain!!! ..here and at home!
We got chores done fairly early this morning and saddled up right away. The whole crew was in today, including Glen (six all together) and we were going to move cattle out to summer pastures. We started with some cow calf pairs. We sorted them out then drove them a few miles, then paired them off when we got there. This whole process takes quite a bit of time, but we got it done and were only four cows and one calf short (which is pretty good for this country). By this time it was about eleven and the plan was to go and brand the few bottle calves we have. So, Merle asked me if I could go start dinner while they did that...lol, me, dinner? But, I managed not to screw anything up too bad, most of it was just microwaving! Most days, we come in and Merle has to cook while we sit there an wait, this way it was ready and we could eat and go.
After dinner, we saddled back up and loaded up and moved out to another pasture of pairs. This time we split up and I ended up alone trying to clear out a corner, making sure there weren't any calves hiding. This was one of the first times I was riding alone and felt like I sorta knew where I was going and what I was doing- pretty cool! During this time Dan and I had a few wars- like we sometimes do, but I win most of them, and he eventually gives up. He's grey, and real cute and gentle, but sometimes has a mind of his own when it comes to neck reining!
So we got that set moved and paired off and were only one calf too many...so we either lost a cow or picked up someone elses calf- who knows! Then, we loaded back up and headed to a few dry cows and moved them, and then loaded up another time and moved some late calvers in to brand. By the time I ran and got some extra vaccines for branding they were about done and it was time to do chores. Tina helped me, and we got them done pretty fast. After chores she invited me to eat supper with her in Martin. So, we went to the "H" (the local bar) and had a burger- it was kinda nice to just hang out like that, haven't done that since I got here. But, it was short and sweet. She headed home and I went to the grocery store and post office and headed back to the ranch. I sat on the hill a while and chatted on my cell phone, then did a few more chores and that puts me here.
It's sprinkling and looks like rain~pray for rain!!! ..here and at home!
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