We got there early enough to see them bringing the cows in. Both Megan and I were wishing we had been invited to ride at these brandings. For a long time it was hard to get riders, so a lot of people started using 4-wheelers to round up. It was quicker and lots more people had them than saddle horses.
Now it seems that everyone is back to riding. Well good!! Because this particular family "raises" horses and has a huge production sale in the fall. I always found it irritating that they touted their "good ranch-raised" geldings, but that they used 4-wheelers to work their cattle. I guess they weren't exactly lying when they called them ranch-raised. They were raised on a ranch, they just didn't get much ranch riding. Ummm...are my claws showing?? Sorry about that. Just a little pet peeve. But they do seem to be using their horses more now days. And...they do have nice horses as you will see. Okay on with the show!!
Here come the cows...
Momma was looking for an escape route...
The drag riders...
Everyone has portable panels these days-so instead of having to drive the cows to the house to use the corrals, they just set up pens in the corner of a pasture and that is where we brand...
One of the guys explaining that they left a calf back by the dam(He was lucky that I didn't have a horse trailer or this 3y/o filly would have mysteriously disappeared-OMG she was gorgeous)...
Okay-so this is where 4-wheelers are handy. One of the guys jumped on a 4-wheeler and within a few minutes he was back with the calf hog-tied on his lap. Missed the pic of that-darn.
While we were waiting for the old farts to get the cattle sorted, one of the guys decided it was a good time to practice his "swing-on" with his sister's horse. Sonny(the horse) does not look impressed...
I think he is plotting evil things for these girls...
Poor Sonny-he is a good horse. Kind to a fault.
Oh yea-I definitely need a T-shirt like this one...
Tomorrow-I will actually get to the branding. We had the A-Team working hard!!
6 comments:
haha! Id give my eye teeth to know what that paint horse is thinking....
Someday, I want to drive cattle! When I grow up! Love the t-shirt! Happy Mother's Day!
Yes, she is a nice filly, I can see why you wanted to load her up in your trailer. I'm pretty sure they'd miss a horse like that however, not much chance you'd get far. lol
OMG come by my blog I swear we own this fillys twin!!! His name is Tonka and he is a 9 yr old QH/ARAB and he is FANCY...He was brought up tough so he has some issues, but he has 150% since we got him. The likeness is amazing, the Tonka is bigger bodied but he is older and a boy..I need that filly to get a matched driving pair.
Oh yes I was a cowgirl long ago, born and raised on a working Ranch in Eastern Oregon so I know a bit about branding too
I'm with Callie...I want to learn to drive cattle, too!! ;) That little filly is a beauty. Very flashy.
Just started a blog, and my first story is about my expierence of a cattle drive and branding!(if you have time check it out!) I got some awesome photos! It was hard work, but so worth it! The pictures I brought back were Priceless! Looking forward to going again. Thanks for sharing your stories.
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