The 3J Ranch is just a few miles from our place, so it's a quick trailer haul to their place...and Monday we sorted branded cow/calf pairs from those that weren't branded. Then the branded pairs were taken out onto the range land where they'll spend spring and summer feeding.
It was a cloudy day, but fairly warm...68 or so. Perfect for working the cows. Not so good for photos, and I take my lil' point 'n shoot instead of the good camera.
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| Ty searches for branded pairs |
We gathered the field and put them all into a corner. There were five of us...three held herd and the other two searched for pairs. Obviously the most important thing is to get the right calf with the right mother!
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| This pair heads out of the bunch. |
Once we've got all the branded pairs out, two of us held the remaining herd in the corner while the other three riders (yes, one was on an ATV as you see below) gather up the pairs and move them through the gate.
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| Moving the pairs to range land |
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| Colt is winking at you! |
By now the sun is getting lower in the sky and we put our jackets back on. We only had to trail them a couple of miles to the first watering hole.
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| The lead cows smell water and the herd trails out nicely |
Once they arrive at the watering hole, we wait for the cows and calves to "mother up" again. Sometimes the cows are too busy wanting to eat the fresh green grass to care where their calf is...it can be a long wait...
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| Colt 'n yours truly |
I'm linking up today with Nancy at A Rural Journey and Lisa at Two Bears Farm for the Rural Thursday #12 blog hop...come join us!!
thanks for having me, that was fun! i enjoyed the pictures too :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots...I felt like I was there. Looks like lots of patience n hard work!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a long day in the saddle... but oh, what an adventure!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of work - but mostly fun work! Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI have alwayz wanted to do that! Looks like a lot of hard work and a lot of fun!!
ReplyDeleteOops, meant always! Blogging by phone means lots of typos!
DeleteA good day in the saddle!
ReplyDeleteYep, the pictures can look exciting, but there's always a lot of slack time when sorting and trailing cattle. I'll bet it was a great day, though.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't give to tag along. Looks like a great way to spend the day.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome day!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteAfter so long out of the saddle, I am sure I will be sore after the day on the range...but it sure does look fun! Thanks for sharing the ride!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures all turned out great! I always love the ones "through" your horse's ears! It looks like you guys had a good day and the cows behaved! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day, I have to go to neighbors to help do that too as my hubby prefers the 4 wheeled horse (atv) to do cow work and my horses are not entirely convinced they should work alongside him, but they are learning.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post! Loved it.
ReplyDeleteVery cool photos! I love seeing working horses and cattle!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you have made others happy! A real pleasure to come along, thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post -- the scenery is breathtaking! Thanks so much for sharing with Rural Thursday this week.
ReplyDelete'Mother up,' I like that term... thanks for the ride!
ReplyDelete