Caution, cowboin' aint easy

A pinky accident. A coil slipped off the horn and dislocated a joint.

Jerked off in the dally.

Cowboying ain't easy, we've all heard that. But till you see it up close, it won't sink in how dangerous it is to life and limb. All this happened this week.

Carrying a gun

(from an email)

My old Grandpa said to me, ‘Son, there comes a time in every man’s life
when he stops bustin’ knuckles and starts bustin’ caps and *usually it’s
when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin’.’*

I don’t carry a gun to kill people; I carry a gun to keep from  being
killed.

I don’t carry a gun to scare people; I carry a gun because sometimes this
World can be a scary place.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m paranoid; I carry a gun because  there are
real threats in the World.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m evil; I carry a gun because I have lived
long enough to see the evil in the World.

I don’t carry a gun because I hate the government; I carry a gun because I
understand the limitations of government.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m angry; I carry a gun so that I don’t have
to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don’t carry a gun because I want to shoot someone; I carry a gun because
I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed and not on a sidewalk somewhere
tomorrow afternoon.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m a cowboy; I carry a gun because, when I
die and go to Heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don’t carry a gun to make me feel like a man; I carry a gun because men
know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don’t carry a gun because I feel inadequate; I carry a gun because
unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don’t carry a gun because I love it; I carry a gun because I love life
and the people who make it meaningful to me.

Police protection is an oxymoron: Free citizens must protect
themselves  because
police do not protect you from crime; they just investigate the  crime
after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Branding

All theses photo were taken by Jessica Gilbert. More can be found on her Facebook page.

Spring work

We've been busy.

Branding.

 Joe had a crappy job Friday. Fertility testing bulls.

Stainless damascus grazing bit

It's been a busy month in the cattle bizniss, but I managed to get this one built in my spare time.
304/410 damascus steel on the shanks, mild steel mouth piece.

It is for sale, 600.00$ plus shipping.

Cut up

Kim went out for her walk Thursday evening with the dogs in tow, as usual. Squirrels, skunks and jack rabbits run for their lives, crows and buzzards are glad they can fly when these fierce dogs emerge from the porch for this daily romp around the ranch.
 On this particular afternoon a large family of wild hogs decided they would take an afternoon stroll along the same path as Kim and the canine hoard. Chaos ensued, and when the mud quit flying, Gus, the wonder dog, looked like this.

The little dummy took on the whole clan, I'm sure, while the others just stood back and barked.

Kim got out unscathed by the way. Thank god, I don't know who would have cooked super.

A short shank grazer

I built this bit while it was snowing, sleeting, and raining this week. It's amazing how much I can get done when I can't wander off into the bushes or ride my horse.

1018/nickel damascus steel shanks, mild steel mouth piece. It is completely hand made by me in my shop.  450.00$ plus shipping.