You know you've won, in life, when people pay you to do what you would pay them to let you do


Saturday, October 2, 2010

Mooooooo ving Day


(Ok, it's working today. I feel bad for being so crabby now.)

I tell the cows: "It's Moooooooooving Day". I figure they get the Mooooo part of it, if nothing else.






The cows here are funny. When the days get cooler and fall is in the air they start hanging out on every south fence line they are at, wanting to go home. They all know South is home for the winter and their farmers, who own them, have nice fresh hay stockpiled for them and will take good care of them when the snow hits. Winters here are hard but cattle are tough. I don't know how they manage outside at as low as 40 degrees below Fahrenheit (minus 60 sometimes with the wind chill factor), bless their hearts.


We have one paved road that runs right through the middle of the lease, east to west. It is a real pain to cross cows over, mostly due to the traffic, although there isn't really a lot, just a few rude drivers.


Once across no has to encourage them to go as far south as they can. We've tried to force them south a time or two with disastrous consequences, eh Crystal? Now we just let them find their own way and it works so much better.


I know this is an odd picture but these cows tails were more like a horse's tail. They were very long with long hairs more like a horse. The picture doesn't really do them justice. They have pretty tails.


Pshaw helped today. She is becoming a very valuable little girl.


Buddy was very carefully eating the very tops of any thistles he could find. 


This is what he is eating in the above picture. Just the fuzzy parts.


I rode Wilbur. He is very big. I took this so you could see where eye level is on this horse for me. This is no exaggeration. Those of you that are aware of this view on your own horse can see why it might be a little hard for an old lady to get up there but I can do it. I might have to grunt but I can crawl up there.

This big ditch runs through the southern end of the lease from east to west. No shortage of water here.


Unlike the thistles, apparently, the cat tails are no longer edible.


And cows hate Crested Wheat this time of year. I don't blame them; it looks like eating wire to me.


We had to treat a calf for foot rot. Yes this is a calf. Can you tell how big it is? It looks like a yearling heifer already. This Simmental herd has the best calves.

My cowboy's hat got left at the gate (he didn't want to risk it blowing off it on the chase this calf was giving him and in the wind that was blowing about that time)  and he could only find one big work glove today but still managed to get it all done.

 Have I ever said how much I admire his ability to cowboy. It's pretty awesome being married to a top hand like him. 


A productive day and I got to do it with the 2 guys I love best in the whole world, Blue and my cowboy.






10 comments:

Shirley said...

Ah well, that post was worth waiting for!
Wilbur is huge- and so is that calf. Looks like the good pasture this tear is paying off in good growth on the calves.
I like the photo of the cattails.

Rachel said...

He is a big ole horse, but big horses are handy at times, and some prefer them that way.
Glad things got done.
Sounded like a heck of a day!! It is best when we get to do things with the ones we enjoy so much! :)
Great pics!!

Mikey said...

Soooo beautiful! What a fantastic day. It's always good when you're doing what you love with who you love :)

Jazlyn Oliver said...

*tear* fall.... cows going south....*tear* and I am not even there, to help with it all!! Hope you don't have any problems with take out day!

Crystal said...

hmmm fun times pushing cows south!!
Ill attest to how big Wilbur is! too big for my liking, but after you get on, hes not so bad(as long as theres no reason to get off).

Ames said...

Natural instincts amaze me. I hate to think of those poor cows in -40 degree weather.

I like your pics. Beautiful sky. I've eaten cat tails. My dad picked them when they were green, boiled them and served them to us with butter, salt and pepper. I ate a lot of strange things growing up. Swamp cabbage, Armadilla and yellow rice. Bleaah!

I took some pics today to show you the closest thing we have to a prairie. I'll have to post them soon. Stay warm!~Ames

cheyenne jones said...

If I was to say anything, it would be this:

While I will more than likely never ride over land like yours, and most likely never get to "Cowboy" as such. I have always dreamt of being able to do it. These pictures and the tales you post, are truly wonderful! I cant thank you enough.

Mama Mess said...

Beautiful photos! I'm so glad you had a good day with your two guys. I love my husband so very much and spending the day with him is my favorite thing in the world to do. He is my best friend! :)

Anonymous said...

looks like an awesome day! You could get him a stampede string for the hat ;)

Janice Grinyer said...

Wonderful shots! We got to spend the day with you through them!

I think we should have a million thistle-eating Buddys in forests across the world - certain types of thistles are def. invasive and can shield out baby trees - I think Buddy might have a second career there?

And yes, Wilbur is big. In fact i think I grunted out loud just reading about trying to get in the saddle by thinking about the effort lol

And lastly, yes, its a blessing that we get to work with our men, isnt it? I cant think of better working partners! Your photo of blue and your man made me smile - :)