Finally! I had a Saturday that I didnt work my day job!
I went with my nieghbor north of me to tag calves on his winter permit. Heading down the highway to meet at 8 this morning. As ya might see, winter kinda came back with about 4 fresh inches last night.
I trailered to his place and jumped my horse in with him and three other guys for the ride up into the foothills where the cattle are.
His permit has scattered cedar trees, sage brush and some pretty grass throughout. The cows are scattered chasing the green grass that was starting to show till the snow hid it. A shadowed sillouette and snow sprinkled scene!
The first catch of the day! The new calves are a lot easier to catch than the kids who have a couple weeks of experience.
My gelding "Ranch" had to get some camera time. I thank the good Lord i took him today! My mare NEVER could'a saved the day like Ranch did! I'll fill ya in later in the story.
Our valley from the north looking back towards the Sheeprocks. I live out there somewhere!
Ranch holding the line while we wait for a tag. When I get off to work a calf or shoot a picture i dally and take the tail of the rope with me. If something happens i can unhook all partys involved.
Rick was the designated tagger/bander. They were his cattle we worked.
#66 and her newly tagged shorter version of herself.
Looking west and a little north towards Faust canyon and the Onaqui mountains. Rick's palamino gelding who will be the lead character in the drama to come.
Loading to go to the east side of the allotment. It was a nice day weather wise today.
Another shot of my backyard! Now for the wreck! Rick and i had tagged about 8 head and started east looking for untagged calves. We found 2 pair that fit the bill. Rick roped the first calf right away and she was a heifer. (if it had been a bull i'd a stayed to help throw and band him) Rick said he'd tag her and for me to get the other calf. Calf #2 was 2 or 3 weeks old and the race was on! I missed one throw and by the time i got ready to miss again we had gone quite a ways from Rick. I looked back just in time to see his gelding break away from Rick and head south..... in a runaway....... dragging a calf! They came south till a fence stopped them and then the went strait east. I had a quartermile to make up and i couldnt come in behind them because of the calf and i didnt want to chase the horse and make things worse. So i swung out wide, jumping gullys and washes, praying we'd miss any snow covered badger holes and going like heck. I knew i wasnt gonna catch them cause that horse was in a full-out runaway and in blind panic! But ol' Ranch (packing my heavy saddle and me in winter clothes and chaps) saved the day! We caught em' and i grabbed the side of the headstall and dang near got jerked out of my saddle. By that time i couldnt care less and would'a bulldogged the S.O.B. to stop him! It took another 300 yards to get him shut down! I bailed off and got the rope free. The calf showed zero signs of life with blood coming from it's mouth. I tryed to check where it was coming from and found a bad tongue slash. The calf layed out on it's side and tryed to breathe. I wanted to shoot a yellow horse! But i tied him to a brush and coiled the rope for Rick. He had tied a slipknot on his horn just incase of trouble but when things blew up and he jerked the rope to free the calf, his front saddle string got tangled and everything went sour. After about 10 minutes i figured the calf would die and decided to take Rick his horse. When i swung up that little sucker popped up it's head and got to her feet! :shock: Then with wobbling legs she started back in the direction of her momma! I took the Yellow horse to Rick who went and gathered up the cow. I went back to get the calf who was still plodding along. The cow got on the fight and wouldnt come so Rick held her along the fence and i loaded the tough little bugger on my horse and took her to the cow. When i gently put her on the ground she bellered at her cow and went right to her. They were getting re-aquainted when we left. All told, that calf got drug for most of a mile! I wish i'd a stayed with Rick and he wishes the rope would'a come off! I didnt take any pictures of any of it!
After it was all over we all got together and went after the calf i had been chasing. Here's an action shot for ya! I let the fresher horses go and i took pictures!
The last calf of the day. Rick had somebody holding his mount so as not repeat the drama.
Heading for the trailer and home.
Snow, Sage and Sky. It pays to be careful in every task. We all felt really bad for the calf. I just hate to see things hurt. Rick's horse had done this before when another guy owned him. That time the rope came free after 50 yards. Somebody will own the horse soon as Rick has too many good horses to ride idiots. I hope the calf lives. We are going back tomorrow to check them and make sure she has sucked. If needed we will take them home. The day was sure western and enjoyable except for the nightmare. I am proud of my ol' pony! He gives ya every ounce of try he has! I love that horse!
I trailered to his place and jumped my horse in with him and three other guys for the ride up into the foothills where the cattle are.
His permit has scattered cedar trees, sage brush and some pretty grass throughout. The cows are scattered chasing the green grass that was starting to show till the snow hid it. A shadowed sillouette and snow sprinkled scene!
The first catch of the day! The new calves are a lot easier to catch than the kids who have a couple weeks of experience.
My gelding "Ranch" had to get some camera time. I thank the good Lord i took him today! My mare NEVER could'a saved the day like Ranch did! I'll fill ya in later in the story.
Our valley from the north looking back towards the Sheeprocks. I live out there somewhere!
Ranch holding the line while we wait for a tag. When I get off to work a calf or shoot a picture i dally and take the tail of the rope with me. If something happens i can unhook all partys involved.
Rick was the designated tagger/bander. They were his cattle we worked.
#66 and her newly tagged shorter version of herself.
Looking west and a little north towards Faust canyon and the Onaqui mountains. Rick's palamino gelding who will be the lead character in the drama to come.
Loading to go to the east side of the allotment. It was a nice day weather wise today.
Another shot of my backyard! Now for the wreck! Rick and i had tagged about 8 head and started east looking for untagged calves. We found 2 pair that fit the bill. Rick roped the first calf right away and she was a heifer. (if it had been a bull i'd a stayed to help throw and band him) Rick said he'd tag her and for me to get the other calf. Calf #2 was 2 or 3 weeks old and the race was on! I missed one throw and by the time i got ready to miss again we had gone quite a ways from Rick. I looked back just in time to see his gelding break away from Rick and head south..... in a runaway....... dragging a calf! They came south till a fence stopped them and then the went strait east. I had a quartermile to make up and i couldnt come in behind them because of the calf and i didnt want to chase the horse and make things worse. So i swung out wide, jumping gullys and washes, praying we'd miss any snow covered badger holes and going like heck. I knew i wasnt gonna catch them cause that horse was in a full-out runaway and in blind panic! But ol' Ranch (packing my heavy saddle and me in winter clothes and chaps) saved the day! We caught em' and i grabbed the side of the headstall and dang near got jerked out of my saddle. By that time i couldnt care less and would'a bulldogged the S.O.B. to stop him! It took another 300 yards to get him shut down! I bailed off and got the rope free. The calf showed zero signs of life with blood coming from it's mouth. I tryed to check where it was coming from and found a bad tongue slash. The calf layed out on it's side and tryed to breathe. I wanted to shoot a yellow horse! But i tied him to a brush and coiled the rope for Rick. He had tied a slipknot on his horn just incase of trouble but when things blew up and he jerked the rope to free the calf, his front saddle string got tangled and everything went sour. After about 10 minutes i figured the calf would die and decided to take Rick his horse. When i swung up that little sucker popped up it's head and got to her feet! :shock: Then with wobbling legs she started back in the direction of her momma! I took the Yellow horse to Rick who went and gathered up the cow. I went back to get the calf who was still plodding along. The cow got on the fight and wouldnt come so Rick held her along the fence and i loaded the tough little bugger on my horse and took her to the cow. When i gently put her on the ground she bellered at her cow and went right to her. They were getting re-aquainted when we left. All told, that calf got drug for most of a mile! I wish i'd a stayed with Rick and he wishes the rope would'a come off! I didnt take any pictures of any of it!
After it was all over we all got together and went after the calf i had been chasing. Here's an action shot for ya! I let the fresher horses go and i took pictures!
The last calf of the day. Rick had somebody holding his mount so as not repeat the drama.
Heading for the trailer and home.
Snow, Sage and Sky. It pays to be careful in every task. We all felt really bad for the calf. I just hate to see things hurt. Rick's horse had done this before when another guy owned him. That time the rope came free after 50 yards. Somebody will own the horse soon as Rick has too many good horses to ride idiots. I hope the calf lives. We are going back tomorrow to check them and make sure she has sucked. If needed we will take them home. The day was sure western and enjoyable except for the nightmare. I am proud of my ol' pony! He gives ya every ounce of try he has! I love that horse!