Belle Creek Branding

Memorial Day is the annual day for the Kuhbacher banding in Montana. That's a great deal, because it works out for me to join in. Another fun time was had by all. 

Two different bunches we walked through on this hot dusty May day. Alls well that ends well. 

John and I went up Sunday night after our 5pm Mass. Grilled some steaks and stared at the stars. Good stuff. 

The hobbled horses were waiting for us bright and early the next morning. 

First things first, celebrate the Mass. 

Then we saddled up and got ready to roll. John and Chief made a pretty good pair. 

I bet we had 20 riders that showed up for the 7:30 roundup. 

John and I fell in with Jason and crew. 

Cows hide in the steep breaks of this country. 

No problem.

We pushed them up to the rest of the bunch. 

And started to make our push for the trucks. 

Get along little doggies!

Once you start the stampede, you don't want to stop. 

After all were corralled, they started to cut out the cows. 

Then we stoked the stove and let the good times roll. 

John and I were pretty much on the wrestling crews. 

Eventually, though, Chief and I jumped in the ring and roped for about an hour. Good stuff. 

One of the guys wanted to drag some calves for the first time with his palomino colt. A good trick is to have another horse ride beside the colt as he drags one in. The companionship coaches the colt that everything is all right. 

95% of the time, they bring the calves in by both back back legs. Occasionally, though, you can't shake the rope off the one leg you snagged, so you drag it on in. In this scenario, you have to break the calf down on the side that the rope is on. Usually, with the left hip brand, the guy on the left of the corral grabs the rope and the right side hand pulls the tail. When they come in by one leg, you have to quickly asses the situation, and trade jobs if need be.  

If you try to brake them over the other way, that free leg ends up being a brace post that won't let the calf roll over on its back. Good work, boys. 

Ranchin. 

The labor deserves his wage. Good stuff, literally. 

Great way to start off the summer. The Kuhbacher branding on Belle Creek is one of the highlights of my year. It is a fast and ferrous 24 hours, but is worth all the exhaustion. Good to be home, but great to have the memories. On to the next one.