You Might Be A Rancher If...

you use baling wire to attach your licence plate. 

J saw this saying in a recent cattle newsletter after he had already done the same thing.
V hydroplaned her car, spun it around and hit a bank a few weeks ago.  She was fine and the car was fine minus the licence plate and it's holder.  The inspection was due so J attached it with what he had handy.  It passed inspection.

Horn Sloping

J is still trying to keep up with the Herefords.  I've given up on registering them because there is just no point in trying to sell one around here.  If the cattle aren't black nobody wants them.

 Anyway, with the bulls, you want the horns to grow out then down.  This helps eliminate problems later with hay rings, chutes and alleyways.  It's also safer when the bulls are kept together.  People use to put weights on the horns to make them grow down, but now it seem most producers slope the horns.

 I first did a nerve block.

 Then a halter to steady the head.

 V even came to the barn to help out.  She held the halter while J used the saw.

 There is a little blood with this procedure,

 but that is quickly cauterized with the soldering iron.

After the horn is cut at about a 45 degree angle it is suppose to start growing downward.  At least he got to be hauled out and put with a group of cows afterwards.

Lady

Lady is back here at her wintering grounds.

 J's dad is back in Florida so Lady is back here. (I think she gained a little too much weight over the summer)

 We've been keeping her separate from the other horses in hopes they would get use to seeing her again without being able to chase her.

 Today was the day we put her with the others.  Her first mistake was going right up to Jessica.

 Then off everyone else went.

 There was quite a bit of chaos.

 Then the running.

Jessica ended up in jail for a few minutes until everyone calmed down again.  Once we let her back out the running seemed to be over with.  As of night fall they all looked like they were getting along again.

Arabian Nationals

Virginia 4-H had 2 teams go to Arabian Nationals.  E was on the B team with only 3 members.  The A team was High overall, reasons, halter and performance.  One of the members was high in everything also and won the saddle.(I still have mine from 20+ years ago).  E was 19th overall and in the top 25 in most categories and her team was 3rd in halter. Congratulations to The Virginia State 4-H Horse Judging Team!

Finish Line

I was tired of carrying my camera in the fanny pack so I left it after lunch.  The 17 mile 2nd loop was very similar ground as the first loop.

 We crossed the finish line and the horses pulsed down at 4:02.  The ride started at 9 am. (6 hours of ride time, 50 min. hold and 10 min. vet check)  We placed 38th and 39th.  Our times were tied but J somehow got the higher placing.  48 horses started and 46 finished.  I think we were the fastest of the non Arabian group.  And the horses got all A's on there final vet checks.  I was able to do 35 miles here in the same time as 30 miles during the Virginia Highland Challenge in August.

 We were lazy the first night and just tied the horses to the trailer.  ALWAYS A MISTAKE when you are sleeping or trying to sleep in the trailer.  So the second night I went ahead and made a picket line.  I think Jessica was a little tuckered out.

   J even had a soft moment and gave her a horse treat.  The ride home was uneventful.

The horses were definitely glad to be back on familiar ground.

 first Jessica

 then Hank.

 I think J is looking for another ride.

Awesome Ride

We made it back all in one piece from the Sand Hills of South Carolina, so of course I am counting it as another success!  I was a little off on the ride distance, it was actually a 35 mile ride not 30.  This is apparently very important in the endurance world because it adds 1:15 min. to the allowable completion time which then gave us 8 1/2 hours to complete the 35 mile.(this included the 50 min hold and 2 vet checks)  There was a little scare for J at the pre ride vet check when they said Jessica was off on her left front.  This was something she has never had an issue with and I didn't think she was off,  she always just nods her head when she trots.  They left it up to us whether to ride or not so since I was use to how she moved I thought it would be ok. 

 The weather was beautiful, temp probably in the 40's for the morning then getting up high 60's low 70's by the afternoon.

 No, J was not going the wrong way.  We had to check in with the timer 15 min. prior to the start, then watch  all of the high strung Arabians with their nervous energy.

 Hank, on the other hand was his usual calm, cool and collected self.  And thank you Aimee for letting me use your real endurance saddle, it worked great. (But I did lose that springing feel to the padded stirrups after about 2 hours.)

 We let most of the craziness go first and started about 30 seconds later.  With the pace they set the lead horses are pretty much gone in 30 seconds.  This was my view for most of the race - Jessica and J in front through the pine trees,

 Jessica and J in front on the sandy road,

 Jessica and J in front through the hard wood forest.  As you can see the trails were great, not a rock in sight, gradual slopes, most areas wide enough to ride side by side or pass easily.  There was lots of deep sand which we are not use to but the horses seemed to handle it well.  Jessica was raring to go and J was holding her back most of the first 18 mile loop.

 There was one optional water crossing about 1 1/2 miles from the vet check along the end of a small pond.  Jessica decided this would be a great time to cool off she she laid down right in the middle of it.  J was very unhappy about having wet feet for the rest of the ride but he said he could feel her instantly get cooler.

We came into the vet check in 2 hours 57 min. and they pulse down right away.  There was no issue with Jessica's soundness and both horses got all A's from the vet.   Because it was still slightly cool and we didn't want any cramping we kept blankets over their rumps.  They were both good at drinking and eating and J and I had time to eat a little lunch.
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion...

Sand Hills Stampede

We are off the the Sand Hills Stampeded Endurance ride (30 mile) in SC  with Jessica and Hank.  We have no idea what to expect.  I think we have lost our minds.