August 29th Joe mentioned that the guys at his training wanted a not so broke horse demo. I told him Banjo would be perfect because he’s gentle, but gets scared easily. So Banjo will be part of their lesson today. Joe went down to Upper Canyon Outfitters first thing, while I got the horses in and ready. My mom, Ruby, and I piled into the pickup to take Banjo down before I gather strays for the day. Everyone at UCO is always so nice when I stop down there. Cassie even introduced me to the team they’re training. With Banjo and the pack saddle dropped off, our next stop was Snowcrest Ranch for the six stray yearlings. They were all the way back on the Peterson place on the pivot I hopped Nevada out of the trailer at the house to trot back to them. It’s a pretty straight shot up the road about 5 miles to get them back into the Ridgefield where they belong. My mom and Ruby were to follow along as I gathered with the trailer. Once I got to the pivot, two coyotes were yipping at me less than 20 yards away. They continued to follow me out of the pasture until Wylie couldn’t control himself and ran them off. This little bunch was pretty wild, taking off at a trot down the road. We made quick time until we got to the corrals. I had my mom stop there so I can pump since cattle will naturally stop there too. I chugged water while I chatted with the “girl crew”. Liquid gold in the cooler, I set off again trailing the yearlings down the creek. Once I passed through the next gate into the Battleplace, there was another 60hd of cattle to gather. I was able to drop one bull since we pulled bulls a few weeks ago, but the other one I saw I couldn’t get sorted off. Wylie was working his tail off getting cattle off both sides of the creek. As I got more and more cattle, with my puppy Dealer not interested in helping yet, I needed more dog power. Thankfully, Joe’s dogs were all in the horse trailer. Most of the time dogs will only work for one person, but Ida is pretty attached me to as well so I figured it’d be worth a shot. I couldn’t get my mom flagged down to stop, so I ended up running after her for quite some ways. I think I scared her because she thought something was wrong. By the time I finally reached her I was galloping next to the pickup arms flailing. I hopped Ida out of the trailer, trotting back to the mess of strays to gather. I gave Joe and I’s universal command, which is an odd kissing noise, to “get em up”. Wylie and Ida worked together getting the stubborn ones out of the willows. Dealer decided all of a sudden to quit being scared and join in. At that point not a single one of them would come back. Thank god it’s a straight shot or it would’ve been a mess. Once the wind seemed to blow out of their sails a bit. I got them all to come back and start working how they normally do. We did cover some country quickly that’s for sure. As we went through the next pasture, my horse stopped abruptly along the creek. Confused, I looked back to see another 30 hd come crashing behind me out of nowhere. What started as a small bunch, is now well over 100. I got them all through the gate and settled into Ledford creek in the Ridge pasture where I hope they’ll stay the night. My plan is to ride up Snowslide tomorrow and then drop down into Devil’s Hole. It’ll be less trips to Upper Robb where I’m taking them if I take a big bunch all together. My mom drove us back to the cabin while I pumped to save time. I was trying to hurry because we need to head back down to UCO for dinner and to pickup Banjo. We left right at 5, which is perfect timing for dinner. Unfortunately, when we got all the way down the main road I realized I had forgotten the diaper bag. This was an hour or more oops. I was so made at myself for having to drive back for it. We didn’t make it to UCO until 7 or so. They were kind enough to save us plates, but everyone had dispersed by then. I wanted to cry in frustration but Van their chef makes the best food, so that cheered me up. Ruby is still teething and let us know when she wanted to leave. Joe helped me load Banjo as a storm rolled in. What a special day my mom remarked, three generations working together and someday all riding too. August 30th Joe told me to just head straight down the creek this morning instead of Snowslide, I was relieved. He didn’t want us to lose all the cattle I had found already, since going up there is such a big ride. I made a nice breakfast and rode Duke over the ridge down to the creek. Unfortunately, half the group had trailed out already. I caught about 50 yearlings right by the gate. It took me way too long to get them started up the trail. I felt like I was playing ping pong. Instead of going up the trail like the cows normally do, I was chasing down bunch quitters climbing the draw like goats. They were all half feral too, so I had to trot most of the way just to keep pace. We got to the salt ground on the main ridge and I thought it should be smooth sailing from here, just a straight shot down to Upper Robb. WRONG. The heathens went over the highest part of the ridge again instead of going down the trail. I was speed trotting as fast as I could downhill to get ahead of them as they tried to circle back cutting against a rocky ledge. I got them turned and then of course they all took off at a dead run. At least this time in the right direction along the fence. I ran Duke try to get to the gate before they did. The stupid old electric fence that’s on the ground near the gate cost me time. As I opened the gate, the herd took off AGAIN back down the fence the wrong way. Over the old fence, across the rocks, dodging holes, Duke and I ran once more. Both my horse and I were out of breath as they went into the correct pasture. I stopped at the gate to eat lunch and pump before heading home. On the way home it started to rain and thunder. I tried to get back quickly, there is nothing scarier than lightning horseback. By the time I returned, we were soaked. Today is the last day my mom is here to watch Ruby, so I decided to make the most of it. I loaded the pickup with salt and put it out to the cows in Upper Robb. I downloaded a few podcasts before I left so it was more like a relaxing job to me. When I returned we said goodbye to Granny T. Teething has been really rough on Ruby, she started crying when Rachel got here this evening and cried for two straight hours. In doing so, she threw up twice, once when I was changing her. This caused spit up milk to get in her eyes and ears. I felt so bad for her. I was really glad Rachel had to come stay tonight to work on the waterline. It was nice to have some moral support with Joe gone for their camp out for the training. August 31st
I put the last of the fuel in the generator this morning, so I loaded our slip tank on the flatbed to take to town. I stopped at the Sheridan Bakery for breakfast to split up the trip for Ruby since it’s over an hour one way to Sheridan. I ate a breakfast burrito while I fed her a bottle. Of course I also took coffee and a pastry to go with us. I made sure to lock the pickup while fueling because I don’t know if I could see someone trying to get in the pickup if they did try. Tank full, I headed back up to the cabin. Joe called me on my way and asked for me to come down to UCO. I ran the pickup home since I had the dogs, grabbed extra milk for Ruby, and headed back down. When I got there Cassie and Joe met me at the car explaining I was doing a vet discussion for their group. Having no knowledge of this beforehand, I tried to remember the most important stuff to wing it. I taught them bandaging, vitals, emergencies, body condition, how to put a horse down, and a little on teeth. Disclaimer, I am not good at aging horses. I can basically tell if they’re around 3-4, younger than 10, and older than 15. Joe pushed Ruby in her stroller during our session listening when he could. Afterwards, we visited in the main house mostly because it was super windy out. I drank wine and ate great food again. Ruby wasn’t feeling the best because of her teeth, so we left before Joe. I know how much working with the military teams means to him, so I wanted him to visit as long as he could. I had so much fun visiting too, it would be fun to get to help with more trainings!
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AuthorThis is a blog to share many stories, laughs, adventures and lessons learned by yours truly, Haley Potter. Archives
July 2023
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