Chance came home and we got them done yesterday. Beautiful day. Small but efficient crew.
Our branding
Come for a western Ranch Vacation!
Dennisranch 
Great shots!! You outdid yourself on this one!
Thank you.
Bob, I am really enjoying Tyler’s blog. Between us, we have a priest, a lawyer and a cop. I think we’re covered!
Thinking of you often, Ruth
Me too Ruth. Thanks.
Love it! Love it! Love it! Awesome pictures.
nice pics…………..lloks like a smooth runnin’, fun day…….other than looks like Eric also got Sweetie in his one heel shot……………..
Sounds like you got the crew you wanted when you got to do the inviting. Good deal. After reading all the pros and cons sure seems like the head and heel deal works out about the best and is a bit more forgiving not to mention seems less stressful on the stock. Hell don’t seem like is should even take all that much longer.
Neat photos!
Can you tell me more or less what is a houlihan? Is it a loop sort of slid out flat and not whirled overhead? I first heard the term in an old cowboy folksong “goin’ to Montana to turn the houlihan” and know its a roping term but have never known more than that
Sharon, if you consider a normal swing of the rope you are swinging a forehand this is a backhand. A normal swing travels from your right to your left, if you are right handed. A houlihan as Chance is throwing it, is swung the opposite direction and when you release it you turn your hand over. Your thumb would be to the side or top and when you release it your thumb would be turned to the bottom in a quick twist of the wrist. As you heard it in the song, it is a loop that is not swung, but comes across your body from left to right and then thrown in the same manner as I said above with a quick partial swing so as not to startle the horses or cows and give them no warning it is coming. It is used a lot to catch horses out of a herd or the cavvy or remuda.
Clear as mud? LOL
Do ya really still brand ’em? If so, very cool, and old school.
We were using plastic ear tags back in the late 70’s early 80’s when I got out of it.
Ear tags can be lost or taken out. A brand is there forever. Kind of like a bad social disease. LOL
I really enjoyed these photos and your commentary with them! Whoever was taking the photos (he/SHE) was awesome! It seemed to be a very well balanced group..I bet it would be fun to watch:)
Connie, I took some and so did my sons who were working the ground while waiting fro another calf. Thank you and every one else for the nice compliments.
Thanks for the houlihan explanation. I sort of had the idea of a loop that didn’t scare everything to death but did not realize the left to right and hand flip aspect of it. My grandkids are fledgling ropers in junior and little britches rodeos. Have a lot of fun with it.