Winnemucca & Calving

This past weekend a few of us drove to Winnemucca, Nevada for the annual Ranch Hand Rodeo, Horse Sale, and Bull Sale.  We go to watch friends compete in the rodeo, look at the sale horses to see if any would suit us for use on the ranch, and sometimes we buy a bull or two.  There are a number of vendors who sell saddles, ropes, bridles, boots, and all the other gear and accouterments that go along with the ranching/buckaroo/cowboy lifestyle...which usually means a lot of gorgeously engraved silver (very habit-forming and pricey!), beautifully braided rawhide, and handmade leather gear that would make anyone want to check the balance in their bank account and wish they could buy it all.

Getting ready for some action at the ranch rodeo

A pair of the most beautiful earrings on the face of the earth made by Mincer Silversmiths.  I absolutely love the detail!

Some of you may have ridden a horse that we purchased at the horse sale in Winnemucca--leave a comment if you recognize any of the names or have ridden any of these horses:

Cedar, Corazon, Giterdun, Grayson, Jada, Lorna Dun, Paycheck, Rocky, Santiago, Scarlett, Suede, Thumper, Topaz, and Wabuska.

We are always curious to see what the high-selling horse brings--usually between $12,000 and $13,000.  Roeser Ranch in Idaho always brings a few really nice horses to the sale that sell high, and this year was no exception!

This is "Legends Red Pepper" ridden by Dan Roeser; lot #10 in the sale

He competed in the Stock Horse Challenge before the horse sale and did very well--2nd or 3rd place

Any guesses as to what this horse sold for?  Here's a clue:  we didn't buy him!  He sold for an incredible $26,500.  We were amazed at the price but pleased for the Roeser Ranch.  

We didn't purchase any horses or bulls for the ranch this year, but Jan bought a nice little black mare that we all are eager to take turns to ride (especially Aspen).  She doesn't have a name yet, so if anyone has any suggestions, Jan would love to hear them!

Is Aspen hoping for an early birthday present? 

Smiles all around...except the mare, who appears to be asleep

Calving season is also in full swing here, so we are busy feeding, checking cows, watching heifers, and hoping for some more rain or snow.

Our lead cow ("LC") has designated herself the official babysitter while the rest of the mothers go eat.  With those horns, who would dare harm these calves?  Luckily LC is a really nice cow to people, but to coyotes, she is a black devil!

It's a beautiful day to be a calf!

Is that Fabio?  Nah, just Tucker, going to help feed the cows.  That is one happy dog!