Horses and Heat

O what a day.

Adrienne and Merle had to be in Rapid City for most of the day today- so it was just Ross, Dean, and I.

I had originially thought that we were all going to go in different directions and get the odds and ends on the place completed...but not so much. Ross had another plan. He decided that we would move the late calving pairs that we branded the other day.

So...the they helped me finished chores and the three of us caught some horses. Today we took Andy, Nelly, and Joe. Ross admitted that he hadn't been on a horse for like 3 months and that this could be interesting (because of his back). As if that doesn't make a person nervous! So he managed to get on fine and we took off to round up the red pairs and take them out to pasture up at Techs (I think...I'm sooo bad with which pasture is which). We had a little task at first...Risses cattle were right in our way so Dean and I were opening the gates and moving them while Ross was pushing our cattle up. We managed to make it work and moved them about three miles across country and over two creeks. We managed to get there with everyone (31) we left with!

But then came the fun part- we had to walk the whole way home...the long way too. There was a gate left open on the far end of the pasture so we had to go at least a mile or two out of our way to shut it and then head home. For a stretch we took the road ditch and that got super interesting. I was riding the mare and there is this obnoxious stud colt that was following us around for a while- then a dog...then a kid. Then, we ran into some neighbors and chatted with them. All the while it was getting hotter and hotter.

We came back to the ranch, unsaddled and headed in for lunch right around noon- ate- then saddled up the same horses and headed right back out again. We probably should have switched horses but they were all out to pasture because the pen we hold them in has fats in it so we just kept on a pluggin away.

This time we rounded up the black cattle (14 pairs) and in a round about fashion sent them out the gate. (the round-about part was mostly due to me not being able to control all of them in addition to not knowing what gate! haha) We moved them about 7ish miles or so (according to Merle) and didn't have too much trouble- other than the fact that is was wayy to hot. When we left the house after dinner the outdoor digital thermometer said it was 91 degrees- and it only got hotter. Besides the fact that the cattle were hot- Nelly thought I was trying to kill her, and I thought I might die off myself- we made it. Then, walked the whole way back. When you have a small crew you don't have a trailer man! We proabably should have brought one up ahead of us- but it worked.

After we got home, we did chores with no major problems and ended up being done just a little after five- which was super nice. I decided that was a bit too early to quit so I went up and got some bags of feed and such that we were low on and brought them down to unload in the corral. Dean helped unload, so it didn't take too long. By that time Merle and Adrienne had showed up so I stopped and talked to them and then headed home. Since then, I have showered the dirt, sweat, and suncreen off, done laundry and dishes and eaten.

Today I learned that Ross is the toughest old guy you will ever meet (not that I didn't already know that). He is 79 and still riding and made me look like a panzy in all that heat! His horse that he rides, Joe, is in is mid twenties- meaning he is tougher than a nail as well. Dean talked wayyy too much and tells too many stories. And lastly, I need to wear more sunscreen or be better at putting it on- I have this nasty heat rash on my hands- if you know how to get rid of constant heat rash you should really call me!

It was a productive day- super hot and lots of work- but very productive. It was quite the three man crew~ I better go to bed so I can be bright eyed for church tomorrow!

"Never miss a good chance to shut up." -Will Rogers