Today, I was invited to a branding out on the Nevada line in the tiny town of Ibapah, Utah. Its 125 miles west of me as a crow flys. If the crow drives a dodge and pulls a gooseneck with horses its more like 200. It is a traditional Memorial weekend gatherin' to brand for Bateman's. Here's Luke mugging for my camera. A great young man who is raising a young family running cattle.
We unloaded, saddled up and headed into a full section of meadows to gather the bunch. My horse and I haven't been around water in these quanities without somebody driving a boat! :shock: Without turning political, Mr. Harry Reid wants to build a 84 inch pipeline and send this auqafier to Las Vegas, Nev. :evil: But it's only some stupid selfish ranchers standing in the way of more slot machines! :???:
I'll get off the soapbox now! :wink: Not all of the section was meadow. Some was alkali and brush.
Got em' corralled and started cutting off cows. Missed a calf on the gate so Rick was on cleanup detail.
That is the look of somebody who choked when the camera was putting on the pressure!
Give him a break as he's a retired bull rider like somebody else we know. If we could rope....... well, you figure it out! :wink:
Lots of good horseflesh was displayed today. It was a big doing. The town boasts a population of 35 and today we tripled it. Many cousins and nephews and one rounder with a camera.
They had 6 irons going and plenty of good help. I spent the day on the ground as nobody needs to see me rope in public. :shock:
A Palomino that drug a lot of calves and never skipped a beat.
If this buckskin would'a been for sale, he'd be in my horse pen tonight. He could cut on a dime and leave 7 cents change!
And now a round of applause for a roughy who tangled one up! :roll:
We worked 320 calves in just under 4 hours. Not too many wrecks even with all the traffic.
It was an equal opportunity branding and the gals did awesome!
These two seats were reserved for a couple of gents who got to count the calves out of the gate and checked off bull or heifer. Ya gotta be 80 to sit there and they politely declined my invitation to swap spots.
I did actually work today. Here is the veiw from the neck position as a bull gets his mind changed! :wink: Oysters anyone?
At the tailend, some of the youngsters got the chance to ride some calves up. It's is wonderful to know there are little guys who strive to carry on the hallowed traditions and skillful vocations that only the best atheletes attempt.
He needs to work on his get off though.
Maybe he should stick to starching his wranglers and wearing cute little white gloves while failing miserably to lure the cutest girls away from the buckin' chutes! Silly ropers! :roll:
It was a good day! And now it is time for the cold Pepsi and groceries!
The Deep Creek Mountains as a backdrop on an ancient cabin. The clouds rolled in tonight and the desert is being blessed with rain! I sure enjoyed the day and I hope you did as well.
We unloaded, saddled up and headed into a full section of meadows to gather the bunch. My horse and I haven't been around water in these quanities without somebody driving a boat! :shock: Without turning political, Mr. Harry Reid wants to build a 84 inch pipeline and send this auqafier to Las Vegas, Nev. :evil: But it's only some stupid selfish ranchers standing in the way of more slot machines! :???:
I'll get off the soapbox now! :wink: Not all of the section was meadow. Some was alkali and brush.
Got em' corralled and started cutting off cows. Missed a calf on the gate so Rick was on cleanup detail.
That is the look of somebody who choked when the camera was putting on the pressure!
Lots of good horseflesh was displayed today. It was a big doing. The town boasts a population of 35 and today we tripled it. Many cousins and nephews and one rounder with a camera.
They had 6 irons going and plenty of good help. I spent the day on the ground as nobody needs to see me rope in public. :shock:
A Palomino that drug a lot of calves and never skipped a beat.
If this buckskin would'a been for sale, he'd be in my horse pen tonight. He could cut on a dime and leave 7 cents change!
And now a round of applause for a roughy who tangled one up! :roll:
We worked 320 calves in just under 4 hours. Not too many wrecks even with all the traffic.
It was an equal opportunity branding and the gals did awesome!
These two seats were reserved for a couple of gents who got to count the calves out of the gate and checked off bull or heifer. Ya gotta be 80 to sit there and they politely declined my invitation to swap spots.
I did actually work today. Here is the veiw from the neck position as a bull gets his mind changed! :wink: Oysters anyone?
At the tailend, some of the youngsters got the chance to ride some calves up. It's is wonderful to know there are little guys who strive to carry on the hallowed traditions and skillful vocations that only the best atheletes attempt.
He needs to work on his get off though.
It was a good day! And now it is time for the cold Pepsi and groceries!
The Deep Creek Mountains as a backdrop on an ancient cabin. The clouds rolled in tonight and the desert is being blessed with rain! I sure enjoyed the day and I hope you did as well.