My first branding.

[VAG_Tech]

Thought I would let you people know that I went to my first branding last night. We went through about 60+ head of cattle. It was super cool and super hard. If you have a little redneck spirit in you I would advise you to do it at least once! I came home with a bag of prarie oysters for show and tell. Don't worry I won't be putting any balls in my mouth!

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

Where exactly does one sign up to attend a branding?

Once I get my recently-Torontonian hands on a good cowboy hat I should probably try it in my ongoing quest to westernize myself.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: My first branding.

I am a native of Toronto! Lakeshore and Kipling was where I lived before heading west. I really miss the Lake.

Are you coming out to the next meeting? We'll chat then.

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

West end boy, eh? I grew up in Bloor West Village and lived in Willowdale and Yorkville after university.

I'll be at the next meet, on June 2. Look forward to seeing you.

Now, seriously, how do you sign up to attend a branding?

[Flanders]

Re: My first branding.

I thought you were talking about your avatar for a minute there

[James]

Re: My first branding.

I lived in brampton (mississauga..almost) for a number of years

[Bora_4_Me]

Re: My first branding.

If you are an "animal lover" a branding may not be the best event to attend. I spent 5 years working a ranch and pressing a red hot iron in to a living animals hide is not a pretty sight, as well the steer calves have ... uh .... day surgery. If the calf has horns growing they will try and stunt the growth by hollowing out the horn socket with a tool. If you want to partake in "Western" event the round up in the fall provides excitement and a feel of ranch life with out the gore. I have not attened the branding that they put on for dudes (non cowfolk) but they may tune down the gore, a brand is a brand and the calfs are beiing burnt and they still bawl when the iron is pressed on to the hide.

[RS1.8T]

Re: My first branding.

I lived in the lovely neighborhood of Jane and Finch for a few years then Brampton, I was going to do a round up a few years ago but ended up being sent out of town for work.

[James]

Re: My first branding.

I hated living in brampton, it was basically a retirement community, very few families, mostly old folks who had lived in that house for 30 years.

well, I suppose I hated toronto in general....damn america wannabe

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

I lived in the lovely neighborhood of Jane and Finch for a few years then Brampton, I was going to do a round up a few years ago but ended up being sent out of town for work.

Whoa. Jane and Finch is a rough 'hood.

I'm totally down the the round up. I'm a fairly adept rider, and I have been know to talk to cows. I assume it's easy to find things like that around here?

[Bora_4_Me]

Re: My first branding.

.... I have been know to talk to cows. I assume it's easy to find things like that around here?

But do the cows talk back? I found that my horse would listen better and pretend to be interested in what I said (kind of like my wife does now).

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

The cows have never really said anything I could understand. The one time I rode a cow I got the "get off right now crazy lady" message loud and clear, though.

Horses are awesome. But a round-up combines horses and cows, for added fun. I secretly want to do one of those multi-day cattle drives like in City Slickers. Well, I guess not so secretly now, since you all know.

Can you get a horse with manual transmission?

[Bora_4_Me]

Re: My first branding.

Can you get a horse with manual transmission?

I have seen models with equipment that looked like a stick shift but I am not sure where the clutch is so I always left mine in first gear.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: My first branding.

West end boy, eh? I grew up in Bloor West Village and lived in Willowdale and Yorkville after university.

I'll be at the next meet, on June 2. Look forward to seeing you.

Now, seriously, how do you sign up to attend a branding?

Yep I'm a west ender. Grew up in Mississauga and moved to Etobicoke.
For branding, now that I know your interested. I have a friend that was a rodeo pro. He is currently retired do to back problems from a wild horse kicking him in the head.
He always has people he knows that are in need of a helping hand. Unfortunatly there won't be any more till next year but he may take me on a cattle drive. I don't have much experience on horseback but I'm willing to give it a go. The cowboy life is a cool part time job. It's a volunteer position though.

Looking forward to meeting you at the next meet. See you next week!

[Stampfan]

Re: My first branding.

Branding is also not for those of you who can't stand the smell of burning flesh, because that's what it is, burning the marker on the cattle. Nasty, nasty smell. Traumatic if you're not used to it.