Welcome to JKs Rough String Ranch

Welcome to the Rough String, and thanks for stoppin' by!! Grab a hot cup of coffee and sit a spell!
10/22/18 You will see a name change on the blog. Lots of things have changed in my life in the past few years, and I feel compelled to share my story.

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Bringin' 'um to the Fire

~The way to avoid housework is to live outside.~
~Sandra Blacksmith 1900~

No truer words have ever been spoken!!! And yesterday was the perfect day to be outside in what I consider "God's Country."

Not only was it just the right temperature (60 F) with just a slight breeze, the sun was shinning gloriously!!!

My Man and I were invited up to Bossman Dan's branding...you know the one with all the dutch oven cookin'? There weren't too many ropers, and a couple of them I new I could do better. So, I put my big girl panties on and got Colt ready. I asked Dan if I could give it a try, and he said OK...take lil' ones, watch out for the other ropers, and be careful. YES!

Our neighbor Martin was in the pen on his horse, and he said to take a lil' one...so I did...well, I missed the one I was aimin' for. The loop landed just behind the calf's ears and then conveniently slid to the left right around the head of calf next to it...hey...it wasn't branded yet, so I'll take it!

Ropin' isn't easy is all I can say. Someone was lookin' out for me on our first calf...now remember, neither Colt nor I have ever roped before. I know the sayin'...green on green makes black and blue...but Colt was perfect! His instincts kicked in (and our years of hard work training), and he did everything I asked him to do.


My First Catch
First calf caught...pulling him forward for Martin to catch the heels.


Colt's First Calf to the Fire
Martin missed his shot, but my friend Pat caught, and we got the calf to the fire.
Pat and I get this calf to the fire and I'm smilin' 'n cryin' at the same time...I'm sitting there on my trusty steed holding a calf to be branded...somethin' I never would have imagined myself doing five years ago. It was just the greatest feelin'!


Steady
Keeping the tension made me nervous...worried about Colt moving and stretching the calf too much.

My friends Pat and Mary thought it'd be best if I let them head and I take the heel shots...it would be better for Colt and myself since we are beginners. It made sense to me.

I made lots more misses than catches, but we helped get quite a few to the fire.

Last Calves of the Day
The last two calves of the day. Pat's on the heels of one and I'm on the heels of the other.
A couple of calves got through the brandin' pen fence and we had to round them up to finish the day. I got a good heel shot in and was thrilled to end the day sitting on Colt next to Pat on Lil' Joe with the last two calves of the day!


Friends at the End of the Day
L-R Mary, myself, and Pat...the ending of a truly awesome day!
Well, you won't be hearin' from me for a week. The trailer's loaded with a ton of warm cloths and winter weather gear. The forecast says 90% chance of rain tomorrow...and we don't ride in an indoor arena at the clinic either...gotta Cowgirl Up!!

Hope you all have a great week...and many blessings to you and yours on this Easter Sunday.

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24 comments:

  1. EvenSongApril 24, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Ya-Hooo! You go gittem, girl! I'm impressed--All I've ever dropped a loop on was a barrel and a log. Looks like it's bred into both you and Colt!

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  2. Glen MoultonApril 24, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I'm so proud for you and of you.... I'd like to try and get together to chat for a minute when you are in my part of the county. Maybe at the Prineville's Silver, Saddle & Song - Western Heritage Jubilee

    DH wants to take in the concert. I'll FB you my phone#

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  3. FunderApril 24, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    That is SO cool. I'm so happy for you! You've worked so hard to make that happen :)

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  4. Janice GrinyerApril 24, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    That is incredibly awesome - And i got excited for you as I read along what you posted - yay Colt!

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  5. MaiaApril 24, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    What a great day. Have a wonderful time at the clinic and come back and tell us all of the details

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  6. Bill S.April 24, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    A lot of satifying hard work. I'm glad you got them all done. I remember branding day when I was a kid.

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  7. MikeyApril 24, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    That is the absolute best! What a great day for both of you. I'm completely smiling here, busting with pride at you. What a great job, girl. Great job!

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  8. CrystalApril 24, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Wow how awesome! I wish I could rope, but I am horrible!!

    Have fun at the clinic, cant wait to hear what you learn.

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  9. Paint GirlApril 24, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Great job! That would be so much fun! I have never roped before, although I would love to try it someday!

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  10. Danielle BarlowApril 25, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Sounds like a really fun way to spend the day. I'd love to get a chance to try something like that :)

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  11. Val EwingApril 25, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    ~The way to avoid housework is to live outside.~
    ~Sandra Blacksmith 1900~

    Awesome quote.

    Plus, I just love the photos and the commentary.
    You are doing so well.
    I could not rope a thing if my life depended on it!

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  12. MarliApril 25, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I wanna rope!!! lol
    *MeM

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  13. SarahApril 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    great pictures Karen! I love to watch branding done this way. There are easier ways to do it, but there is just something nostalgic about the whole roping, wrestling, etc way of doing it!

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  14. mugwumpApril 26, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    you rock

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  15. RhondaApril 26, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Hey, I'm proud of you! Looks like you did a great job! Loved this post! I hope you have a great time at the clinic. Glad to see Colt brushed out and looks sparklin' clean again. :)

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  16. The Equestrian VagabondApril 26, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Brand them dogies! i had fun watching and taking pictures at a branding last year. and quite content to shoot, because I know I couldn't hit the side of a barn with my lasso.
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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  17. wendyApril 28, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    you go cowgirl...I would never attempt to do anything while on my horse other then HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
    I love branding time though...is one of my most favorite memories of growing up as a young girl at my grandparents.
    wonderful.

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  18. Rising RainbowMay 6, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Wow! Sounds like you had a great day. Good for you. Just looking at those darn ropes tells me roping calves is not easy.

    I am still shopping for the right rope for me. If I ever find it, I will start practicing. I would so love to rope calves some day.

    Hope you had a good time at the clinic and didn't catch a cold old in the elements.

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  19. mugwumpMay 6, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    I waaaaaant to heeeeeeaaaar about the cliniiiiiiiic!!!!!

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  20. EdMay 10, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Is that steak I smell??? Love the shots especially the last one..:-)

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  21. CTG PoniesMay 11, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Love the pics. I've been keeping up via Google reader since work has blocked access to blogs :( Hope all is well with you.

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  22. JaniceMay 17, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Wahoo way to go, you and Colt look pretty darn good out there.

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  23. HorsesAndTurbosMay 18, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    Okay your week is well over...now close to a month. Hope all is well, and this gal in Michigan also wants to hear about the clinic!

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  24. Mary Ann May 21, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Your horse is gorgeous and looks HAPPY!

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I love your comments! Let me know what's on your mind~~

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