Ranch Week, Part 3

Friday morning was wet and cold. As we mounted up, I prayed the rain wouldn't get heavy. The plan today was to move the cattle up to new pasture. With ten guests plus wranglers on the job, these were some very well-escorted cows. We split into two groups to make things a little more manageable.

In short: we took the cows down a pasture, over a wooden bridge spanning McGinnis Creek, through another long meadow, across the road, and up through the trees to graze on the mountain on the northeast side of the valley. Two people rode to the left and right of the lead cow, several more on the left and right flanks, and one or two brought up the rear. The cool weather had the steers feeling fresh - they were leaping like baby goats as they got on the other side of the bridge. We had to stay far enough away to keep them calm, but close enough to keep them moving.

Once the cows were over the bridge and moving down the long meadow towards the road, Dori and I somehow ended up falling far behind. We set off at a trot to catch up. Really moving out in the misty rain, miles of green valley stretching out before me, was pure joy. Add to that the ease with which I posted for half a mile or more - this was one of the best moments of the week.

The real fun started when we got into the trees. Moving up the mountain, the cows stuck mainly to the road, while the horses tracked along side them in the woods. We had to stay much farther away from the cows than you'd think, which meant going through some very rough country. These horses will go through anything. I rode right flank most of the way up. When one of the cows began to stray, you had to get up and go. I'm pretty fearless when it comes to trail blazing, but this was something else. Roanie went through deadfall and thick brush, up and down steep terrain, like a tank.

Around noon we stopped at a tank so the cows could drink some water, and we could eat lunch. We were all pretty damp at this point, and I was grateful for the warm horse underneath me.

The water tank, behind the horses

After the little break, we got them moving again. The cows ambled up the road, steam rising off their backs in the chill rain. Wranglers and riders called out Yup, yup, yup! and Yip, yip, yip! to keep them moving. Horse tack jingled, and leaves and branches crunched under the horses' feet. Every so often, a steer would moo.

Once we got them to graze, we started the long trek back to the ranch. The rain was light most of the day, but when I turned onto the long driveway to the ranch the heavens opened. And not just with rain - I swear some of it was ice. Roanie was only too happy to trot that last quarter mile back to the barn, where he got his oats and I got a much needed cup of hot chocolate. That night as I lay in bed, I could still feel the horse moving - just like you still feel the ocean after a day at the beach.

You may not believe it, but take my word for it - 7 hours on horseback in rainy 50 degree weather was the perfect end to my week at the ranch. (Okay, actually the steak dinner was the perfect end.) I cannot wait to come back to this beautiful place again.