My first branding.

[VAG_Tech]

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.

True enough. It's not like your smelling grilled steak. It smells like a combination of burned hair and more burned hair. It took a while to get the smell out of my mind.

[Lars]

Re: My first branding.

I grew up on a Ranch with 300 head of cattle in B.C. so yeah they branding process is not for the quesey. It is hot sweaty work but is fun to do(most of the time).

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

A branding probably isn't the best plan for me. I'm a huge animal lover, and while I can appreciate on a logical level that it makes sense for ranchers to mark their cattle it would likely upset me to see.

Some sort of cattle drive is probably a much better idea. I just hope the cowboys don't make fun of my English riding boots and confusion about the giant western saddle.

Mostly I just want a chance to be outside, in a ranching setting, playing around on horseback.

[Bora_4_Me]

Re: My first branding.

I grew up on a Ranch with 300 head of cattle in B.C. so yeah they branding process is not for the quesey. It is hot sweaty work but is fun to do(most of the time).

Did you ever try an electric branding iron? We had one on the ranch I worked. But we used a 2 prong extension cord on the 3 prong iron. The yard was quite wet and the Forman was holding the calf while sitting on the wet ground. One of the ranch hands (who was wearing gum boots) put the iron to the calf and the Forman started yelling
"My balls, my balls!"
We could not figure out what he was yelling about as he had the back legs secured and they were not in that area. Turns out the current from the iron was transferring through the calf and taking the shortest route to ground. Once the hand removed the iron the Forman got up and started jumping around like his pants were on fire, it was very funny to watch. Needless to say we never use the electric iron again.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: My first branding.

Was his name Dave?

[AgentNox]

Re: My first branding.

The Forman started yelling
"My balls, my balls!"

Okay, now that is a branding I'd like to see. I assume he was able to walk it off?

[Bora_4_Me]

Re: My first branding.

Okay, now that is a branding I'd like to see. I assume he was able to walk it off?

Ya, he stomped around the yard a bit. I think it was his feelings that were hurt more than anything. 8 guys laughing really hard at his expense probably did not help much. He bought the stupid thing and no one thought it would work well, but he insisted we use it.

His name was Bill, not Dave that is funny tho'

[VAG_Tech]

Re: My first branding.

A picture... Some of the faces have been altered to protect the innocent.