WineGlass Ranch

The rainy spring has been both a blessing and a curse.  In early May we were very worried about the lack of moisture.  We were getting close to drought conditions so the rain has been wonderful.  We can’t complain. (we better not, it might stop raining and not start again!)  The grass is growing fast and it’s wonderful.

The downside is that the cows are stuck on the wrong side of the creek.  We managed to cross the main herd in mid-June with some minor challenges but the creek bisects the field they are in now and most of them have crossed back.  With all the rain the creek is very high again and we can’t get the cows back across to move them to fresh grass.

The first move across the creek in mid-June went well.  Fortunately we had a good crew for the crossing.  Dad, Lori-Anne, Alex, Doc and Ed all brought their A game.  The only hitch was a calf that quit the herd before we finished gathering.  After we had put the cows across the creek, Ed and I watched them while Dad and everyone else rode back and picked-up the calf in the trailer.  When they arrived they backed the trailer into the creek and the calf swam out.  Ed and I were there in the creek with the horses to chase the calf across.  The calf was already half-way across in the trailer but he would not swim the rest of the way, even though the cows were right there on the other side.  Instead the calf swam around my horse and headed downstream.  I roped him in the deep rapids and I tried to steer him back towards the far shore but he wouldn’t go.  By now we (me and my horse) were in the rapids and the water was running over my knees.  We were a couple seconds from swimming and the water was FAST with high banks coming up.  I had to get us and the calf out of there before something serious happened so I dallied-up and headed for the far shore.  The calf did a wonderful impression of a submarine for a few seconds.  When we reached the other side we removed the rope and he happily took-off, looking for his Mom.  We headed back across the creek looking for a fire and a whiskey which we found in Dad’s tackroom.  Add another story to the list.