Just Spring Ranchin'

I have hardly touched the horses since last fall. With springtime coming on and brandings coming up, we spent the afternoon giving the horses some much needed attention. 

Don't tempt me with a good time!

Before we worked with the horses, we checked the cows' water. Froze and drained down. 

These past few days it has been hanging right around freezing. Springtime in Wyoming. 

The tank takes a while to fill, so we rode the bike up to the pasture in order to shuttle the water truck back and forth.

Cowboys don't walk. They ride. 

While she was filling up at the house...

We grabbed the horses. Chief wintered well. 

So did Mollie.

The main mission was to trim their hooves. 

It doesn't hurt to desensitize them all over again, before working with their feet. 

Nippers, rasp, and pick.

Mollie's were in tough shape.

Chief's weren't as bad. Clean them with the pick first. 

That's a good looking hoof, come spring. A bit of clipping with the nippers will shape them right up.

I plan to shoe his fronts, so I leveled them up good with the rasp. 

And gave them a good chamfer until I get there. 

A good spring brushing is always in store.

Gives a guy a chance to look over his horse. Might just find a tick!

Pliers work the best for these guys. 

And finally, some springtime dewormer.

Before the final brush down. 

Oats for my horses.

Good stuff. Spring ranching is good for us all. The horses wintered well, but getting them in shape for some coming rides, makes good sense. Not only do I see grass greening up, but I also smell branding smoke in the air! Let's ranch.