2nd branding

Mijo went to his second and I drug one pen of calves with him. The more we did the better he got. Go another one on Wednesday. Another Thursday and another Saturday. I think he’s gonn’a be a pretty broke horse in a week.

Chance went along and I got a good picture of him and Dean dragging one out.

That is Paige the boss’s 8th grade daughter walking out to take the rope. Her partner is on the other side, out of sight and he/she will take a hold of the calf’s tail and they will tug in opposite directions and the calf will fall on his side. They will set on his head and behind him and hold the top legs as the calf gets his shot and brand. 1000’s of calves to do in this country every spring and many if not most are done this way.

Here’s a poem that might help explain this, better.

Brandin’

At daylight I’m saddlin’ up my horse
Maybe time for a quick cup of “jo”
I hooked up the trailer last night before dark
I’ll load my horse and I’m ready to go

As I drive to the neighbors ranch this mornin’
I mourn for the lost ways, work was done
Campin’ and workin’ with a roundup crew
Had to be more efficient and lots more fun

But that was long, long years ago
When the big cow outfits were runnin’ cattle here
Back before the government wanted this land populated
They’ve since changed their mind, I fear

I think about the animal rights people
Wish they could understand all aspects of our trade
That we do the jobs that we do out of neccesity
That beef steers are not born, but made

Branding is part of our annual rite of spring
We don’t really considered it work as such
A celebration of the survival of one more season
We’re once more out of winters icy clutch

It’s our chance to practice the age old skills
To shake our fists at this modern age
They’ve tried to ship us all off to the cities
We stand firm and deny them with rage

A passing of the mantle to our younger generation
A time to teach them the ranching skills
That our life is worthwhile and has meaning
We unite as a clan to practice our drills

To prove that this lifestyle is still viable
That a horse and a rope are still valuable tools
That we have survived yet another year
We laugh at the uncomprehending who call us fools

Robert Dennis