Friday was the first branding of the year on the ol’ PV.  Most every year the season kicks off with heifers’ calves at Ridge Camp and Horse Camp, and it was the same this year.

We had some special visitors (and extra help) at this first branding!  Kyle, at right in the photo above, used to help us brand when he was a high school kid (almost a decade ago).  Now he’s a grownup living in the Midwest.  He and a couple buddies decided to head to Montana for their “Corona-cation” and so were able to spend Friday with us.  Kyle’s two buddies had never seen anything like a branding, but they soon learned the ropes!

 

 

Another special thing about the day:  It was Vash’s first try at dragging calves.  Vash is 10 and lives at the VX with his folks.  He and Asher are buds, and I sure like Vash’s little pony:

Anyhow, on Friday Vash asked Beau if he could try to his hand at roping in the branding pen, and Beau and Vash’s dad agreed Vash was responsible enough to give it a try.  He caught two calves, and it was pretty cool!

 

 

A photo of each roper

Beau.

Brian.

Tyrell.

Sam.

Holden.

Nate the Great.

 

 

A few more fun pictures of the day

Vergal gets Muggins’ nose; Emi takes a break from her job with the squirt bottle.

Nathan wore a GoPro while he was wrestling calves!  I have to admit, it was the first GoPro I’d ever seen at a branding.

Nathan leaves for boot camp this week, and we are sure going to miss his hard work and good attitude.

Last but not least… if ever I’m short on my kid count, the top of the trailer is one of the first places I look.

© Tami Blake