Another Chance Ranch

A True Beauty

A true beauty. (This might be my all time favorite photo of Babe.)

She is a spoiled beauty.

She knows she is the queen.

And that this guy is, well, he's a neighbor.  I just liked the shot.  :)

Bellowing Cows

Momma and baby.

Last week we were busy.  I use the term "we" very loosely here.  Most of our cows get a summer vacation, and they returned from said vacation this week.  You see, we rent some grass about 10 miles from here.  We are able to go visit them on their vacation, and we do so quite frequently.  

When they return from each trip their calves are ready to be weaned.  That is what happened this week.  The little calf in this photo is now about 7 months old, and quite a bit bigger.  It was time for him and several others to go to greener pastures.  Really.  Literally a greener pasture.  He, among several others, are not going to live out the rest of the year on wheat pasture.  They will love it! 

Last night was the first night they have ever been away from their mommas.  Their mommas were not too happy to be separated from them, and they told us about it all night long.  Well, they weren't really talking to us, they were bellowing for their young'uns.  They usually settle down pretty quick.  I haven't heard them bellowing at all today. 

Not too long from now they will start the cycle all over again.  We will have new baby calves all over, and I will be loving it.  I like my momma cows and their babies.  

(On a different note, be sure to come back tomorrow.  Be thinking about what you are Thankful for.  Thanksgiving is coming and it is time to be thankful.  There will be a random drawing for another autographed copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks.)

Samson Part 2

I usually wouldn't even post this photo, it isn't good enough.  But when you hold a camera, and the man in the cap (Doc) tells you to take a photo...you take a photo. 

The one thing good about this photo is that it shows just how big Samson really is.  Doc is over 6 feet tall, and he is far from being able to look him in the eye.  I hope to get some photos when he gets him hooked up to the wagon.  :)

Samson

I'd like for you to meet Samson.

 

Samson belongs to Doc, a good friend of ours.  He used to be a carriage horse in Bricktown (OKC).

Once upon a time I worked for Doc.  He is one of my favorite people, and the one I am always making my No Bake Cookies for.  Anyway, Doc introduced McD to the life of a Teamster.  We bought one of his teams of draft horses, and he taught McD to drive them, work with them, etc.  He has one of the softest hearts of anyone I know. 

When Doc saw Samson he knew he needed a new home.  He bought Samson, a harness, and a wagon.  Samson has to look like a completely different horse now, because Doc said he has gained around 300 pounds since he has had him.  He was kept in a dry lot, and walked on asphalt all night long.  Now, he is kept in a pasture, walks on grass unless he is in a parade, and is spoiled rotten.

When we got to Doc's house we drove straight to the barn.  He was getting Samson out of one pasture and was leading him to the barn.  I was so excited that I had my camera with me.  I will have to get the photo of Doc on here next time.  He was so proud to smile at the camera.  It is a really good Kodak moment, but not the best photo.  I will post it anyway, just because.

Anyway, Samson is a Belgian horse, and is approximately 19 hands.  Can you say HUGE?!?!?

McD is being the Horse Whisperer here.

Samson was walking around the barn, trying to figure out what I had stuck to my face (the camera) and waiting for some hay.  He didn't have a lead rope on him or anything, he just followed us around like a dog. A very LARGE dog.  :)  Doc is trying to get him used to sleigh bells.  This Christmas they will be taking some folks Christmas caroling, and Sam will be pulling the carolers in a very nice wagon.  But he will be wearing bells as he makes his way around to the different neighborhoods, and he needs to be used to that sound before they load the wagon.  :)  They don't need a runaway that is for sure.

This is one of my favorite shots.  Look how big Samson's head is.  I think his name is fitting.

The Poor Man's Way

to work cattle.

This is called a Nordfork.  It is something people can use to help work cattle if they don't have a bunch of hands to do the job.  This is how it works.

Slick ropes 'em.

Then drags them.  There in the corner you can barely see McD with the Nordfork ready.

It is best for the roper to get both legs.  Sometimes that doesn't happen, but really it is best for the man working on the ground.

McD is standing ready with the Nordfork. 

He slides it over the calves neck, like so.

This is how the calf is supposed to be stretched out.  You can get to everything you need to, and the calves are restrained so you are free to work them without having to hold them down.

Two guys worked the calves with the Nordfork, but without it they would have had to have several more hands there helping.

 

Some of the tools.  The ear tagging gun, the pocket knife for castrating, the syringe guns filled with drugs, the ear tag and the iodine. 

We can't forget the ear notcher.  We notch an ear so we will now that calf has been worked.

Here McD is castrating, as you can see he has already used the pocket knife and is keeping it handy right there in his mouth.  Nice!!

Here he is worming him. 

So, see what I mean about how it keeps the calf restrained so one person can do all the ground work.  I think Slick had the easy job.  I didn't get shots of the injections being given, or of the ears being notched.  Sorry.  I was dilly-dallyin'.  That is just what I do.  :) 

Two cowboys and a Nordfork, that is how we roll.  We have worked cattle without the Nordfork, but it sure does make it a lot easier. 

The Story Behind Babe's Pond

This is one of the ponds on our place.  We have named it Babe's Pond.  If you have been reading here very long then you probably know the story of our beloved accident prone Percheron draft horse, Babe.  She is a mess. 

Check out this story if you haven't read it already.

Sam aka Mr. Ed

See they really do laugh at us. 

He just thought I wasn't looking. 

This is just one of the things I put up with around here. 

Having a pretty busy week here, how about you?  I hope to post a few Colorado Springs photos tomorrow.  :)

The Babe

Babe.

She is my favorite mare.  Wait, she is our only mare.  :)  I know there are all kinds of things wrong with this photo, but I LOVE it!  

She is a good thing.

New Momma

This is the mare that just recently had her foal.  She is a beaut!  I started playing with this photo and then downloaded PW's actions.  I finally decided that I would see what they were all about.  :) 

Then I ran the Heartland action on it.  What do you think?

I kind of like it. 

New Life

Thursday night Slick's mare gave birth to her foal.  He is a cutie!  He is all legs.  Check this little guy out...

Momma is keeping her eye on the gelding in the next lot. 

Well, she is keeping her eyes on me too. 

They sure didn't get far from each other.

Look at those legs.  :)

I can't wait to go and see him next week.  Hopefully I will have more photos then.  He hasn't gotten a name yet, I wonder what it will be.  Any ideas?