This is a “vault” post. These are events that I made videos for but didn’t really make write ups for. So these write ups will not be as detailed as my recent events.
Putting the animal first
Day three dawned with exhaustion and frayed nerves in camp hell. As Amy checked Skeeter over, the unfortunate but humane decision was made that he would need a day off for his back to recover. Thankfully, they were trailered to the next campsite so they did not have to return home. However, it was very disappointing to lose one of our companions since this was very much a group experience for us. Hannah also made the decision to send Mocha home and bring another horse. She also went on to the next campsite with Amy.
It’s disappointing having to make decisions like that. But we are responsible for our animals’ health and safety. Never let your ambition come before the horse’s wellbeing. The girls pulled themselves up by the boot straps and scored a steller site for our next campsite and had it all set up for us when we came in.
Looking for just the video? Click here! But you should still read the post.
Collecting our cows
We did not move the same herd for the entire week. The cattle drive took place over a few different ranches and, as a result, we had a few different herds. Every morning we’d break camp, saddle up, and move out to collect the new herd for the day. I’ll admit that was pretty boring. Some days, such as this one, we wouldn’t get to the cows until after lunch.
This day felt like it took absolutely forever to get to the herd. We went through a lot of narrow areas which caused congestion. Like on a highway, it got to stop and go. I still enjoyed the experience. But it was monotonous.
If you pee on your horse, you might get stepped on
While the riding portion may not have been always amusing, there are plenty of small instances of hilarity. Needless to say, there were no bathrooms while actively moving the cattle. On this particular day, we stopped for lunch and found a nice hammock of trees to sit in the shade under. I think almost everyone in our group took the opportunity to relieve themselves. Most of us would go back in the woods. But not dear Suzanne. She had figured out a way to pee through her riding skirt and, when she decides to, that woman has no shame.
I’m off in a palm hammock hoping there aren’t any rattlers, cotton mouths, or ticks as I’m taking my wee and hear Suzanne scream. I turn back around and look to where I’ve left Roach next to Spyro, and I see Suzanne laughing or sobbing or maybe both. We’re all asking what happened.
Suzanne is never one for half measures (or half volume) so she hollars, “I peed on Royal and she stepped on me! I think I broke my foot!” [side note: her foot was not broken, just badly squashed]
What had happened was she was relieving herself in her newly discovered fashioned too close to Royal, who she was using as a modesty shield, she peed on Royal’s leg by accident and Royal shifted away and on to Suzanne’s foot.
Lesson learned: if you pee on your buddy, they might step on you.
Cows are Cows: The Stampede
While the cattle drive is fun. You’re still dealing with live animals and all that comes with it. We got the herd after lunch and moved on.
I can’t quite recall the lead up to what happened. However, at some point we were called to stand still and let the cattle settle. I parked Roach next to one of the cowhands who was telling me the different signals the boss would use to tell them what to do with the cattle. It was fascinating to talk to.
A lot of people know me as a dressage person, but I actually started riding with working cattle horses. Cutting horses specifically. So I’d had some exposure with riding and moving cattle as well as having spent a few summers working a cattle heard of 50 or so in central Florida as a teen. All that to say, I have some cow sense. Cows are generally docile, but when they panic, they go hard.
I’m not sure what Roach’s exposure was to cattle before getting to me. However, he isn’t bothered by them and was just chilling next to the cowhand’s horse as we were waiting for the cattle to settle.
I don’t know if some folks couldn’t hear or just weren’t listening. They’re not in frame in my camera, but they kept coming closer to the herd and waving their arms and hollering at the cows. Once cows start circling like cyclone, its like a baitball of fish and they’re looking for an out. A fast out. These people weren’t letting up the pressure and giving the cows a chance to breath.
Note: My camera makes it look like I was closer than I was due to the perspective.
One or two cows saw a hole, and like steam in a tea kettle, they were off. And so were horses not used to cows. I wasn’t able to capture the whole scene as well I’d like because my GoPro was on my chest and I wanted Roach pointed to our escape route in case they herd veered our way.
Cows even slipped through the wire fences. Folks who weren’t the cowhands even went chasing down the herd (not smart). On this ride, there were folks of every riding level and same with horses of every level. It was very much up to the discretion of the owner if they were capable of doing this ride. Some folks were on this ride that I don’t think they realized what could happen. One rider was shaking and crying. She was new to riding but her boy took great care of her. Thankfully, she had one solid dude. One of the circle bosses took point and started hollering for riders to come over to a central point.
I’m embarrassed by it most days, but I have a voice that carries. Even when I don’t want it to. So I put it to use here and started repeating his statements and getting folks’ attention to where we were being called to go and what to do. Once things started getting a semblence of order, I started tracking down my girls to make sure they were okay.
It seems like, for the most part, our horses all handled it well. Roach acted like this was totally normal for him. Aside from some of our number being shaken up by it, we were all safe and sound.
Unfortunately, there was a grim reminder that cows are dangerous. There were cattle dogs with us on this ride. The youngest dog was trampled in the stampede.
I think we were waiting for about two hours for the herd to be finished rounded back up and calming down. There were no more calamities for the day. Thank goodness.
Cattle Drive Day 3 Video
