Branding - more of the story!

The next Saturday 4/20, when the cows were gathered from the outlying pasture I was there. I love to the get the shots of the cowboys (and cowgirls) on horseback. I still have a secret desire to learn to ride, but mustering the courage to ask someone to teach me is kinda scary (what if they take me up on it and I have to put my butt up in the saddle on one of the huge animals).

Well anyway, I headed over to the area setup for branding near Frank and Vicki's house. I caught up with a few of the cowboys headed out to get more cattle as they crossed the railroad grade and snapped the first picture. Climbing up on a haystack I got a pretty good vantage point to watch the drive of cattle toward the holding pins. Wow, do those cows make alot of noise - they do not want to be rounded up - they like it out on the open range.

In the distance, I saw the cows and calfs come over the horizon. Behind the animals were a line of cowpokes on horseback. These skilled workers knew exactly where to be to move the cows in the right direction without scarying them into a stampede. It was amazing to watch the horses and riders move cautiously from a wide fan to a tight line of riders directing the movement of cows and calfs. Inching ever so slowly, the cows reached the holding pins as the cowboys nudged them with the horses towards the gates. The last picture is one where the two border collies captured an escapee!

Once all the pairs were inside the corrals, the gates were closed and the sorting and branding began.

Again, this was when I had to leave for a track meet with Hank. But I got some great shots of these brave men and women that devote their time to caring for these cattle. Next time, you'll see pictures of the branding operation.