Cow Country

[RanchRoper]

I was up at my old stompin' grounds today. The a7 at Bob Creek. What a nice day, 75F and sunshine. I could still see some smoke at the north end but it's 40 kms away and the fire is under control now. Apparently it did not get into the a7 ranch lease. Just checking on cows, and a chance to get Badger out for a stretch. Snow coming tomorrow and the rest of the week. It is very nice ranch country up there, when I worked there from '05 to '13, I rode some long days there. 2 hours out to the cattle, work all day, and 2 hours back to the ranch. 12-14 hour days were pretty normal. Old Badger was in good shape then. I also used Dakota and our late mare Magic. They were always game, but none as game as Magic.
Saw a few hunters, but nobody having much luck by the sound of it. No motorized vehicles allowed in there so you walk in, ride in or pull a wagon in. What a great day to be horseback in the wilderness.

ps...those are just clouds not fire smoke.

[RanchRoper]

I did actually find cattle eventually today...

[dave77]

I had a horse for about 28 years and can't imagine what it would have been like to be able ride such wide open spaces. I still miss Ruby, the last few years of her life we didn't ride much, we both had bad knees.

[RanchRoper]

She looks like a real sweetie. We had a little mare for 24 years. I know exactly what you mean. Miss her still.

[Dennis H]

Badgers lookin like he's in midseason form!

[Dennis H]

Rode my grandads saddle this elk season. Its got thinner stirrups than I'm used to, not as thin as those on badgers saddle but they were sure comfortable!

[RanchRoper]

Rode my grandads saddle this elk season. Its got thinner stirrups than I'm used to, not as thin as those on badgers saddle but they were sure comfortable!

I have a set of 2" Visalia wooden stirrups inside my tapaderos, but I really like the brass oxbow stirrups. They are pretty old timey and most guys don't use them much anymore. The long taps add about 10 lbs to my rig, so I lightened the load a little for Badger. I use the taps in winter often as they keep my feet warm and dry. They are also handy for moving cows cuz I can just flap them a little and cows move off. Here they are on my saddle.

[dave77]

Photo of Ruby with her best bud, Newton. She was probably around 5 in this picture. Got Newt to keep her company after her companion, the neighbor's Shetland pony died. She didn't let Newt on her back after he got bigger but they were still best friends. Got a couple more Pygmies later on but Newt was always her favorite.

[RanchRoper]

Great photo.

[dave77]

Great photo.

Thanks, it's actually a photo of a photo. Used my cell phone to take a photo of a 8x10, didn't even take it out of the frame. Original was taken back when I was still using film. Digital was out for quite a while before I decided it was good enough to replace my film camera, now I can't even imagine going back to film.

[RanchRoper]

Moved cows today. 28F and windy. Moved 2 different bunches today, 180 this morning to better pasture, and this smaller bunch the rest of the day. Rode about 8 hours total. Here's some pics. That's Dakota's ears in the pics sometimes. Camera hog...the other cowboy is my friend Clint, we've worked together for almost 10 years. This is south of Pincher Creek Alberta.

[BigAl52]

Im sure its all what you get use to RR but I dont envy you at all. That cold weather sucks anymore for me. I think at times about how rough I have it but then I look at what you do. Your country is beautiful but I wouldnt trade you tomorrow for the weather that comes with it. Palm trees and sand RR its all about palm trees and sand. Al

[RanchRoper]

Haha...today was a beautiful day for moving cows and working outside....after a whole summer of smoke and fire alerts, I loved it today. Coffee sure tasted good when the work was done though....

[RanchRoper]

Couple more.

[daytime dave]

Nice photographs. Your cows or his? Looks great there.

[RanchRoper]

These cows belong to another rancher. My buddy and I are just moving them.

[Sir Henry]

Sure makes me want to move to Montana.

[daytime dave]

These cows belong to another rancher. My buddy and I are just moving them.

Mighty neighborly.

[RanchRoper]

Sure makes me want to move to Montana.

Me too....I like their gun laws....

[RanchRoper]

These cows belong to another rancher. My buddy and I are just moving them.

Mighty neighborly.

My friend works for the rancher, and I was just helping him for the day. I love that big wide open country, even in winter, most of the time I'm moving cows through timber country. Like it too, but sometimes it can be a real long day pushing cows up and down those mountains.