Wyoming Catholic Cowboys

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Spirit of Christ

Is the Holy Spirit.

Monday, August 31, 2026

Creek Crossing

Crossing water on horseback is not an uncommon occurrence while ranching. Though horses have good instinctual judgment, is still good to train ourselves how to cross water well.

My buddy Philip is new to riding horses. Being his first time out, and probably last time for a while as he enters seminary soon, I wanted to give him the full experience of riding.

Clear Creek is a good creek to learn to cross. Especially this year when the creek is flowing pretty slow.

Judging where to cross is the biggest trick. I'm a rapid guy. If the water is rippling good, it means that there are rocks not too far beneath. This creek is pretty obvious where shallow water is. Rivers can be harder to tell. Calm water usually means deep water. Horses can swim, but it is usually not the preferable option in my book. I've been turned upside down more than once by choosing deep water with a horse that can't swim. That's a long walk home with sopping boots and wounded pride.

Before you enter in, you want to have where you're coming out already in mind. This worn down bank should work good.

Just follow the lead. On hot days, I've seen horse intentionally splash water around to cool themselves off. Not to be alarmed.

It is also good to give your horse his head if he wants a drink. Never know where the next watering hole will be.

After a successful crossing or two, we headed back to the ranch. Philip took the lead.

Good work.

Crossing water on a horse is fun. Because it adds an extra dimension of danger, it is good to plan your work and work your plan. Clear Creek is good training grounds. Gives the horses confidence and gives us experience. Ranch on.

Spirit and Power

The Gospel is still alive!

https://youtu.be/ms20U33BnCM

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Think like God

And not like human beings do.

https://youtu.be/1n-kxetjBYk

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Water Repair

If it's not one thing, it's another. From the deck of the house, we spotted water running down the corrals. Knowing it wasn't a major problem, we waited until after breakfast before going to investigate.

We knew it had something to do with the summer water tank we set up on the north line.

Sure enough, it got tipped off the level platform and started running out the side before the float could shut it off. Though it had been running all night, there was no big problem to fix. Just some adjustments to be made.

First step was to kill the water source.

Then drain the tank.

Dad, being an old flood irrigator, had no problem siphoning the water out.

Fill the hose with water inside the tank, cover the end with your hand, then pull it out below the water level and let it run.

We started two lines.

And it drained down in no time.

The main problem was the cows got in behind the tank and shoved it off the platform.

Once leveled back up, we wired an old panel to it, stabilizing it and keep the cows from getting back there again.

Should work. For now, at least.

Then, kicked the hydrant back on, and filled it up.

Back in action.

Nothing like a little Saturday morning surprise. You can only go so long without visually laying an eye on all things ranch. Watering systems can be pretty fool proof, but eventually they are going to need some attention. Thankfully, this was an easy fix. Doesn't matter the time of year, water can't be down for long. Best be attentive to the needs of each system. Also, it's best to not rely on only one source. Multiple outlets makes a guy sleep better at night. If one is down without you knowing about it for a day or so, you have another one to back you up. We are sitting pretty good, but our watering system will need some attention before winter knocks on our door. That's the one thing about cattle ranches, there is plenty of project security.

Friday, August 28, 2026

Shady Shelter

The one thing about ranching in Worland, is that there is no shade. Generally, guys go to the mountains in the summer, because there is grass, water, and cooler temperatures. With irrigated pasture, we are able to stay down low, but we still have the heat to deal with. So we supplement with a little shady shelter.

With the herd growing, we had to kick them out of the shed on the north 40. It took a bit, but eventually we were able to get them a little replacement shade.

When the temperatures got into the triple digits this summer, the cows were looking for every inch of shade they could find. Not only was this little sliver insufficient, it was also hard on the barn, having cattle huddled up around it like that.

So I picked up a large shade net/tarp. They use these things in the feedlots of the midwest. Not sure how any of it was going to go, I tried to make a little hoophouse for the girls.

Built out of sucker rod, it folded like a limp noodle when we went to raise it up, just like Dad said it would. Note to self, listen to Dad.

But we didn't stop there. Dragging down some old pipe from projects gone by, we constructed a new set of plans.

Welding 2 7/8" receivers onto the fence rail, we were then able to shoot 2 3/8" stingers out into the corral without needing additional support.

Though we did put a gusset down to help stabilize the flex.

While my buddy Tom was around, we welded on some sucker rod to the end so we had something to tie the tarp to.

Then Simon jumped in and they rolled out the 50' x 30' 90% shade tarp.

Then we worked at getting it spread out over the braces.

Once stretched out, we tied it on with some twine.

Then brought the fly dust bags over for a one stop, shady shop.

It took the cows a bit to get comfortable with the new shade, but eventually they took advantage of it.

I'm not the best at it, but I try to exercise a little cow compassion. I wouldn't want to be standing out in the sun during 100°+ days while wearing a black coat. Consequently, the need to put up a shady shelter arose in my heart. Of course, once the smoke this summer rolled in, it cut the sun enough that the cows weren't looking for shade as much. Regardless, they have somewhere to go if they want it. Fun stuff. The cows are looking good, in general. We'll probably look at weening the calves in October or so. It's fun to take on the different ranching needs as the seasons in Wyoming unfold. Today it is shade from the sun. Tomorrow it will be heat for the freezing water. Sun or snow, we ranch as we go.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Welding Leads

Keeping the welding leads in good shape on your portable arc welding is a constant concern. Poor leads make for a poor welding experience. Before we got to work today, we took time to repair the leads on our Lincoln SA 200.

The ground cable has been hit the hardest, for whatever reason. These leads are old, but good. When we first got this welder over 10 years ago, we worked over the leads. Now it's time to do it again.

Here's an example of a spot we fixed back then. Still holding strong.

What happens is that the insulation breaks on them. If left unattended, they can ground out and melt the copper, which is what is happening here. I think it is all still salvageable.

First, disconnect the ground cable from the ground clamp.

Heat-shrink is our product of choice. Black tape is just not durable enough for the abuse these guys take around the ranch. These sticks of heat-shrink we've had sitting around for years. Work great for a job like this.

Just cut a section, longer than the need.

Slip it onto the cable.

And over the break.

Then get to heating. I find a heat-gun to work the best. In time, it just melts down to the cable and sucks up, tight.

Should work. We had about three of these breaks to fix, today.

The best thing for lead care, is keeping them coiled up good and orderly.

Back to work.

Good deal. This has been needing to be done for quite a while. If you don't tend to these breaks, you are going to compromise your leads, at best. They can also ground-out on other metal, shock you, or just make the welding experience frustrating. Better deal with the insulation breaks as they happen. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Ranch on.