LIFE ON THE RANCH
  • RANCH LIFE
  • Contact
  • About
  • RANCH LIFE

ROUND ONE: COWBOYS ARE REAL

5/12/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
The first branding of the season and we're off to a good start thanks to a lot of great cowboys and cowgirls.  We call it branding, which isn't actually accurate.  We don't brand the calves.  We do give them each a distinct ear mark that is registered to our ranch.  We give the calves vaccinations to keep them from getting sick, (just like you do for your children or pets).  We put a fly tag in their ear which helps fight off the insects during the summer.  If the calves are male, they are castrated.  We castrate by using a small rubber band, it's called banding.
Picture
Picture
Cowgirl Baylee showing her roping skills. What concentration.
Picture
Picture
It takes more than good ropers to get the job done.  When someone isn't roping they join the ground crew to give shots, band, ear mark, ear tag or run the Nord Fork.
The Nord Fork is a device that holds the calf by the head.  It allows the roper to rope the heels of the calf and then drag it to the Nord Fork.  It holds the head without putting pressure on the calf's throat and allows access to the neck of the calf so it can receive it's shots.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Ryan looked like he was tagging, ear marking and running the Nord Fork.  The picture below shoes the holster Dave made out of an old boot to keep the shears in.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
This sister duo did a great job tagging the calves.
Picture
Picture
Perfect!
Picture
Once the calf has received it's shots, it is given a chalk mark.  Two marks indicate it has received the two shots it needed.   The orange tag is a fly tag.  It helps protect the calf from the insects during the summer.

Picture
A good ground crew is essential. 
Picture
Picture
Sometimes the Nord Fork is missed, then the calf has to be wrestled down.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
These young cowboys aren't just great on the ground, they are great ropers as well.
Picture
The older cowboys are always teaching.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Branding is a lot of work, but there is always time for a little fun. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
They have to try to ride a few.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Beautiful horses and terrific help make for a fun and successful day of processing calves.
2 Comments
mom
5/14/2016 07:20:49 am

Yes cowgirls and cowboys are real! Great job by you and all, always amazing pics, just so enjoy, one day I will come and see how that Nord thing works, do not totally understand it but seems like a good invention! What a great crew you have there, and luckily good weather, Great job to you all!

Reply
Milly & Rick
5/17/2016 09:15:10 am

Great photography, Thank you..

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Hi, My name is Tana.  I live in the high desert of Nevada, It is heaven on earth. 
     I am a rancher's wife and I want to share my story.

Proudly powered by Weebly