Week 4 - Day 5 At the Ranch

Well sports fans the end has come. The end of Bob King's Cowboy School means that there is a new beginning for another adventure which will have something to do with horses and cows if I have anything to say about it. If you are reading this and would like to learn cowboy skills in roping, cattle and horses, then I can't recommend Bob's School highly enough. Both Bob and his wife Betty are wonderful people with their feet on the ground. Bob is a real cowboy with lots of real-life experience which means he knows his stuff, can get it across to people and has the patience of Jobe.

My last day was spent roping in the early morning and watching a DVD called the Californios which shows the highlights of the past 7 years of a Ranch Roping contest held in California. It is truly amazing what these cowboys can do with a loop.

 

This afternoon we were back on horseback where we got to do lots of trotting. This really helps one balance in the saddle and gain confidence. After this we let the "fat cows" loose for a couple of games... at least the humans thought it was fun. Really, the horses and cattle are treated with the utmost safety, respect, and care. The first exercise was similar to the one described in Day 4's blog.

The second exercise involved each of us taking a steer and placing it in a specific position. Each steer had to stay where they were placed and then each of us had to exchange one steer with another without disturbing the rest. Moving cattle requires one to think ahead, move very slowly while being aware of the steers flight zone and being patient. Lots of fun.

 

One other thing... I was inundated with e-mails (at least 1) with answers to the question in my Day 3 blog... name those cattle! While the one person who submitted a response had some excellent guesses they were not quite right. These cattle are Watusi cattle which were originally imported from Africa. One of their most unique features are the massive horns.

Well cowboy fans Wrangler Dave is going to hit the road in a couple of days so Wrangler Dave's blog will not have many notes added... at least that is what I think at the moment. Thanks to all who read my blog as I follow my dreams.

Temperature = 76 and very windy... lots of dust in the air.