Driving Cattle on the range

On the last day at the ranch, the crew took us to a place called Jackstone, to move some cattle from one pasture to another. We got on some amazing horses, trailered half an hour out, and mounted up. We first went into one pasture and rounded up all the cows into groups. They had a young cattle dog in training there, and unfortunately, he found barking and chasing the cows a little too much fun. So the group split into two, so we separated and had to bring two groups around a hill together. It was so free and wild, but we figured out how much we really learned that week. I felt like I really knew what I was doing, at least a bit.

Mom was back in the saddle with her buddy Klondike. She did amazing.

Once we got the group of cattle across the road, we had to push them up the other hill and then wait. Callie and Mishka did amazing, riding down into creek beds to flush out stray calves, hissing and calling at the heifers to move the way we wanted them to go. Their confidence was infectious! CAllie rode a beautiful, smart pony named Applesauce who seemed to be able to do anything.

Apparently you have to stop after moving so that the babies have time to reconnect with their mothers. Often they take a bit to do this. So we watched as they paired up. It was so sweet. Then, as we waited, Brooke said, "I think Callie wants to run! I am going to take them to run up the hill!" What a dream come true. Mishka, Callie and I almost galloped across the open plain with nothing but clouds and mountains around us. It was like we were flying. Even then, I knew this was one of the best days of my life. I have rarely felt a freedom like that before. That day was a culmination of all the wonder and adventure we had all week in Montana. The sprit of the wind and mountain filled my heart in those moments.

Even Mishka was flying! She rode a steady horse named Martin, but the ranchers started joking that he found a new gear up there with her! Haha. She held on and came out all smiles.