03-07-2009, 05:01 AM
WOW, what a day. My good friend owns a 300-acre ranch in up county Waimea.
It is drop dead beautiful up there.
Jayne and I were invited to the ranch for the calf round up. (Hummmmmm)[:0]
First they round up the heard and drive them in to the corral then separate the calves from the cows.
Once in the corral the calves are roped by their back legs on horseback and brought out to us.
My job was to get the calf on its left side as its being dragged. It’s much harder then is sounds.
Then, my left knee on the neck, right knee on the rib cage behind the right front leg, next is to grab the front leg, bend it at the knee, pin the hoof back, pull it in to my chest, lean back and HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. Most calves were around 350lbs and full of steam.
The calf is given 3 injections; branded, two clips of the ear and if it is a baby bull it’s changed in to a steer.
(You do know what I mean?)
At the count of three you let the calf up and run for the fence.
We branded about 50 head.
This was done in old tradition of 1800’s Paniolo. The only modern equipment used was a propane torch to heat up the irons. I would have loved a wood fire with the aroma of burning wood in the air.
Afterwards, we went back to Teddy’s house and had a big Hawaiian bash with all the fixin’s’.
BTW I was born and raised about 20 miles north of NYC.
Ya’ gotta love it[
]
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
It is drop dead beautiful up there.
Jayne and I were invited to the ranch for the calf round up. (Hummmmmm)[:0]
First they round up the heard and drive them in to the corral then separate the calves from the cows.
Once in the corral the calves are roped by their back legs on horseback and brought out to us.
My job was to get the calf on its left side as its being dragged. It’s much harder then is sounds.
Then, my left knee on the neck, right knee on the rib cage behind the right front leg, next is to grab the front leg, bend it at the knee, pin the hoof back, pull it in to my chest, lean back and HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. Most calves were around 350lbs and full of steam.
The calf is given 3 injections; branded, two clips of the ear and if it is a baby bull it’s changed in to a steer.
(You do know what I mean?)
At the count of three you let the calf up and run for the fence.
We branded about 50 head.
This was done in old tradition of 1800’s Paniolo. The only modern equipment used was a propane torch to heat up the irons. I would have loved a wood fire with the aroma of burning wood in the air.
Afterwards, we went back to Teddy’s house and had a big Hawaiian bash with all the fixin’s’.
BTW I was born and raised about 20 miles north of NYC.
Ya’ gotta love it[
]"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....