JX Ranch Branding

It's that time of year again!!!  

May 11th, 2013 we headed out to JX Ranch in Quay county to help Tom & Mimi Sidwell do their Spring Work  ~ thanks for offering our guys a great opportunity!

We arrived the night before and bunked in their awesome bunkhouse, which by the way can be rented! Please check out their bunkhouse rental at: 

www.jxranchbunkhouse.com

The cattle gather started at 7 a.m.

Working gates is important work...

... when having to separate mommas from babies.

More sorting under the tutelage of Tom Sidwell.

Time to begin!

The guys got to brand...

... flank...

... and ear tag.

 

Love this action shot of Oz just diving in!

Mimi ropin' and dragin' ~ way to go cowgirl!

Oz tries his hand at branding ~ nice work!

A quick weigh-in and then Lunchtime!

After a full morning's work we had a home cooked meal prepared by Mimi using their tasty beef!

You can get some for yourself too by visiting their website and cliking on their "Our Beef" link:

www.jxranchbunkhouse.com

Outstanding!!!

Then the time came for graduation!  Our guys and girls never know when it's coming...!

These guys have put in the time, energy, and positive attitude and are ready for the next level!

Their first job was to officially welcome Tom and Mimi as part of our family.  Our hearts filled with gratitude that Tom and Mimi opened their home and ranch to us and our guys and shared their knowledge teaching these fine young men what ranching is all about.

Thank you!!!

 

Afterward, we worked off some calories with some roping...

... from a master!

A great day had by all!!!

May Begins!

May 1st, 2013  

Having his very first Join-Up experience, look how in sync these two are!

This smile says it all!!!

Afterward we make a quick trip to the bunkhouse to check on the progress of the new arrivals!

Comfy?

May 5th, 2013 ~ Setting up the first set of bunks ~thanks Oz and Eric!

Catching up ~ April 2013

Just have been so busy, sorry for not keepping up to date, haven't had my camera most days and time just flies when you're having fun working!

April 8th, 2013 brought a little bit of Christmas to one of our veterans who was in dire need of an all terrain wheelchair, thank you to the contributors that made this possible, you know who you are!

April 12th, 2013 was a good training day on cattle, learning the points of pressure and working cattle.  This training provides the priliminary understanding of moving cattle so that our veterans can confidently go out to work on Program Partner ranches.  

April 15th, 2013 ~ Chris is now able to wheel around the paddocks and visit the horses, some much needed catching up to do!  

April 16th, 2013 was horse health day!  Stuart McCall instructed our veterans on the importance of annual check-ups and spring work. 

Teeth inspection.

Stuart found some points that needed some attention, and Hollywood was such a good paitient while getting his teeth floated to remove those points that sometimes may be uncomfortable when fitted with bit and bridle ~ 

Learning proper placement of an injection site.

He's a pro now ~ great job Calvin!

April 27th, 2013 ~ Ramp is completed and gravel laid!

April 24th, 2013 ~ With the warmer weather here the VA sessions have begun!

Horses getting a full groom while developing that bond that creates trust and partnership.

We of course start with ground work, further developing that important bond.

Unmounted activities allow for a good partnership to blossom.

Illustrating the importance of round penning.

After a good lunch a little conversation insues with our senior staff.

~ Great day and nice to have you on board!

April 26th, 2013 ~ Working ranch versitility day!

Backing into a box.

Traversing poles.

Poles, then cones.

Moving slicker.

Skid steer demonstration.

THUMB UP when dallying!!!  Dallying is the method of winding the rope around saddle horn a term derived from the Spanish word dalevuelta meaning "give it a turn".

The friction secures the rope in place in order to drag the steer.

Well done men!