Lewistown Montana Cattle Trailing in the Rain
One of the things we look forward to here on the Lewistown Montana ranch every year is trailing to our summer pasture. We trail all of the cattle from our lower place, usually in 3-4 bunches of 150 – 250 head about 10 miles south into the little Snowy mountains. It’s a fun family event and everyone gets to ride and be a part of it. It normally almost feels like the reward for all the hard work we do during the winter months like feeding, calving and branding and it really signifies the beginning of summer for us all. Due to all the rain and cold weather we have had, this year was a little different…rather than getting to shed our winter clothes and get some sun, slickers and lots of warm clothes were very important pieces of equipment for trailing!
Heading out – it’s cold and windy and rainy…but, it’s a job we have to get done, so we’ll see if we are really cowboys! Might be a loooong day in Central Montana!
Gathering everybody up
Pic 1240 – Bill pulling the lead out the gate – rather than having all the riders get in the back and push the cows, we pull the cows by letting the lead start and then every so many head that pass through the gate the next rider goes with them –
Pic 1252 - everyone knows the places where the cattle tend to want to stop and turn around so we all take our turns as we go sending them toward the lead – this way we get them stringing out for over a mile and the cows in the lead who know where they are going pull the drag along with them.
Some of these old girls don’t need any encouragement!
If you look close you can see them stringing back all the way through the trees – hopefully this helps them keep track of their calves better than if they were in one big messy bunch
Almost ½ way there…
Cody & Jett – somebody is very cold!
"Mom! Can I put my horse in the trailer now? My feet are FREEZING!" Mom caved…he’s a pretty good cowboy for 6 yrs old!
Another picture of the cattle stringing out – almost there…
We made it – this is the drag going through the gate…
THIS is one very HAPPY man! It’s been a little stressful this year, and it’s one more job we can check off the list, it wasn’t exactly the fun time it usually is, but like his Grandpa used to say "We couldn’t have done it if we weren’t all good cowboys!"
Kim Boyce and Fay Ranches represent some of the finest land, ranches, farms and properties in Lewistown, MT and the west. Contact Us today to find out how we can help you find the perfect cattle ranch or horse property and start living the life you deserve.
