On Saturday I got to experience another Branding day at a neighbouring ranch owned by Martin & Sheila Hillmer. We floated our own horses over to the ranch, where I joined the roundup team while others got started on the branding. It was so great rounding up the cattle – finally got what they call a perfect Canadian Spring day – 16 degrees and sunny – and the country was magnificent. Pens were set up in 4 different areas on the ranch, and by the time we finished with the roundup, branding was underway in the second location. When we finished there, we had snacks and refreshments, then we all rode off to the next location; in all we branded some 350 head. At this ranch, they use horses and rope the calves to catch and hold the calves. The calves were all branded, bulls castrated (as it’s a commercial ranch); needled and backlined. It was great fun and got to meets lots of people (around 30 people were there), including some from over the border (the US!). At the end of the day we went back to the main place and had an early supper and spent some time socialising. A great day!
