Branding

Even though spring is still 'hibernating', we went to a 'spring' branding this week.  The weather here in the Oklahoma Panhandle definately has a mind of its own and has proven that yet again.  On Thursday the 18th, we left our house at 7:00 AM and headed to the first branding of this year, even if the wind was blowing hard causing the temperature to be in the 30's.  All us cowboys and cowgirls dressed up for the cold weather, leaving behind fashion or style, we just wanted to stay warm; that's all that really mattered besides being able to move.  

After arriving at the set of pens, we unloaded the horses and climbed into the branding pens.  Once the calves were sorted from the mamas, the men started the propane for the fire.  Everyone made jokes like, "Put the fire on this side of the fence so we can gather around it." or "Didn't you check the weather channel before choosing this day to brand?"  Honestly, it was very cold and the wind did anything but help the matter.

We were told our jobs and handed the shots, ear notchers, implants, and other such things we needed for our jobs.  One man was assigned to brand.  (For those of you who have not attended a branding: we give calves shots for the same reason you get shots.  For their health.  Ear notches are used to cut a piece of ear out; ranchers have different cuts for their cattle.  Say one just cuts the tip of the right ear while another rancher might have a cut on the tip of the right and left ear, these are just examples. The brand is like a name tag, it shows who the calf belongs to.)

The ropers mounted their horses and began the roping.  First calf caught was drug across the pen to the flankers, who then yanked the calf to its side and the header sat on the calf with his leg on the calf's neck, the back man was on the ground pulling one hind leg out while pushing the other one way with his leg.  They would take the rope off and the roper would rope again.  And so on.  

The flankers held the calf until it had been ear notched, given its shots, cut and made into a steer and implanted if it was a bull, boy, and branded.  Then when both flankers were ready, they let the calf up and it raced back to the other calves.

We all felt the cold wind blowing air through our faces and some feet and hands became numb, but not badly.  Clouds scurried across the blue sky, some hiding the sun and us from its warmth.  Sometimes a person would look up and say, "I think the wind is trying to die down... oh, wait, never mind."  The sun would shine and it would be so warm compared to before, but it wouldn't stay very long.

When we finished a bunch of calves, we took them back to their pastures and herded another bunch.  I am not talking about a bunch as in a lot, but as a handful or group.  We worked through the morning hours and took a break for dinner.  It was all very good like every branding dinner.

After a few cowboy songs as we finished up dinner, we headed back to work.  Our boots were cold from sitting outside while we ate.  Dad, Big J., a friend from our church, and I pushed some cattle down a road to their pasture and got back to the pens in time to go to another set.  We branded 11 calves in one spot before moving again.  There we branded a few more.  And on to our last place.  There Big J., Little J., and I got to gather the whole herd mostly by ourselves.  Until a kid friend and a few grown men helped at the end.

While sorting, I moved my way in and made my young horse, Paradise help sort.  This was her first time doing so, but I think she did alright.  We cut off some calves and pushed some cows.  Either way, we finished the job without a problem.   

I had been giving shots all day and really wanted to flank.  So--a calf was drug up beside me and no one came.  I pulled it over and sat on its neck, holding its leg in one arm and the shot in the other.  Dad took the shot and I held the calf down until everything was done to it.  I also flanked once with my dad and once with the man who was in charge of the branding.



We flanked the last calf, gave the last shots, and branded the last calf.  Next came my favorite sound, the propane turning off.  We were offered drinks and the men turned out the calves, letting them run back to their bellowing moms.  We then headed home.  It was very fun, even if it was cold and blowing, all of the movement warmed us up a little.  Some flankers even broke a sweat.  (Pictures posted are not taken in this year; they are from years past.)



Flankers just about to have this calf flanked.



A calf fighting to go down.



Roper caught both hind legs.



No fight in this guy.



Flankers lined up.



A cute picture that Little J. took of a dog at one branding.



I really like brandings--they are such a great time when every one gets together to work.  I hope this post lets you see a little more of the ranch life that I am living.  : )