Foster Branding II

When opportunity knocks, I take advantage of it. The Fosters were branding again, so I arranged my schedule to at least make the short-go. 

Not for the faint of heart. We were to ride out at 5:15, which meant that Chief and I leave the church at 4:30.

However, we had a rain delay and didn't leave the trailers until 6:15. 

In southeast Sheridan County, the railroad runs pretty strong. Horses out here have to get used to crossing the tracks. 

To say the least, they have been getting more rain than Johnson County. Country looks great. 

We trotted a couple miles until we hit the cow pasture. 

Then split up and started to gather. 

The wind was blowing pretty good and I lost my hat a time or two. That is one critique about cowboys that wear straw hats, the are always chasing them. I was the only one wearing a straw hat today. However, I was not the only cowboy to have my hat blow off. 

Rollin, rollin, rollin.

Eventually we all started to converge. 

And head the entire herd for the truck and branding pen. 

Once there, we mothered up for a bit.

Then headed into the pen. I hollared to Clark, "It's about to get western!" And it did. However, all the calves made it in, thanks be to God. 

Then we lit the stove and got ready to brand. 

The A team went into the pen first. 

Gerald got the cool horse of the day award. Solid bay. 

Nordforks are the branding instrument of choice around here. Work good, when applied right. Good job, Chase. 

Just ranchin'. 

This is where the cowboy rides away. 

Having a late afternoon wedding rehearsal back at the home place, I had to leave the branding shortly after noon. I am confident that they finished up just fine without me. Fun day. Definitely worth getting up in the 3:00 hour to take part of it. Grass looks good and cows look better. Must be doing something right. Ranch on, Paul and Laura.