Good morning in Kansas! We still aren't sure what is happening with our weather. Note the sweatshirt and jeans in the morning and I will shed those by noon and be in shorts and a t-shirt! Our high today is about 85 degrees and I am not complaining. I've had the windows thrown wide open and have been enjoying the breeze!
I'm headed out to fill the water tank and throw some pellets to the steers. I'm not looking to make a fashion statement and I'm definetely NOT America's next top model! We're so funny at my house . . . my men will go out in public in just about anything that they've cleaned the barn in, built fence in 100 degree temps or hauled hay all day in. I will look like this at home . . . but WILL NOT go out looking like this! So . . .count yourselves among the priveledged! :D
Here is the long view of the arena. It's about 150x250 and is completely portable. Should God ever call us to another location, a couple snips of wire and we can take everything with us. The funny thing about this picture is that we leave these barrels standing every night and every morning they look like this! Makes you wonder what those crazy steers do at night while everyone else is sleeping!
These are the boxes where the header and heeler put their horses to come out once the steer has been released out of the chute.
Before we even begin to rope the steers, they are herded into the holding pen which is at the end of the return alley.
We push 'em up into the loading alley which tapers down to about 2 ft. Once we get them single file into this tapered alley, they turn the corner . .
and move into this alley way, single file, while they beller and carry on, knowing they are getting ready to load into the chute. Klay is demonstrating how they could possibly stand while waiting!
The K's are fascinated with the chute and all the bells and whistles that come with it. They are demonstrating how the loading gate pulls out so the steers can step into the chute (with a little assistance).
A better angle of the action that takes place!
Now this doo-dad looks like a garage door opener, and yes, its a garage door opener! The header or heeler has the remote clipped on a belt loop and pushes the button when they are ready. The chute gate flies open, the steer flies out, the horses charge and hopefully the header will catch the steer by the horns or neck, turn him to the left and the heeler will come in behind and try to catch two feet for a successful run. If the heeler drops a leg there is a 5 second penalty.
This is the view from the boxes. The steer is going to run directly to the strip chute at the end of the arena. Hopefully, the steer will go nice and straight to it and not try any fancy tricks like running straight to the fence on the right or make any screwing turns to the left.
Once the boogers are caught for a time, they are allowed to run to this strippen' chute where the ropes can be removed without getting kicked or hooked.
The steer is then let through into the return alley to be herded back up to the holding pen. Only to start the craziness again!
Here is a different view of the strip chute. I had two visitors this morning who just sat there and let me look at them. Once the steers came in for food though, they were gone!
Here are the boys . . . one girl . . . I think . . . I haven't actually gotten a good look at all of them but . . .we call them the boys.
We don't have a feeder set up yet, so they are getting their pellets off the ground. Hey . . . this isn't Texas Road House . . . however, I am known to throw in a line dance or two while feeding.
These steers are the Coriente breed. Steers that are bread in Mexico and are super sturdy. We'll be doctorin' them tonight. They need dewormer, some B-12, and their horns need to be cut back.
This is not a job for the faint at heart because 
there is a blood vessel that runs the length of the horn so when you cut a couple inches off, its like a water pistol. We have some powder we put right on the horn to stop the bleeding and they're good as new!
there is a blood vessel that runs the length of the horn so when you cut a couple inches off, its like a water pistol. We have some powder we put right on the horn to stop the bleeding and they're good as new!When we rope, we have horn wraps that go on their horns and buckle under their chins. This protects their ears from any burns by the nylon ropes.
These steers bring us alot of pleasure but we take their care very seriously. As well as the care of our horses. We do not abuse the animals that God has created but make sure they are fed and
doctored properly.The boys are a little scrawny but with a week or two with us, they will be at a good weight for roping and we'll maintain that weight while we have them.
When we aren't roping the live steers, the practice dummies are where the time is spent.
This is "Charlie" - He's been with Rick for quite a while now. This is what he practices heading on.
Here is "Linus" - he was one of my dad's saw horses. I gave him to Rick when we first started dating so Rick has been practicing his heel loop on Linus for about 20 years. He falls apart every once in a while but we just put another nail where needed and he keeps standing tall, a faithful friend, spending hours with Rick.
And finally . . . Introducing "Hottie" He is a HotHeels that is pulled behind a 4-wheeler. I've gotten pretty good at simulating a run so that Rick can come in behind and rope the feed that are swinging back and forth like a real steer would when being pulled by a horse.
He's given us hours of practice and this is what Bo has learned to rope on. He is now graduated to live cattle!
So . . .this is what our arena looks like, where we hope to have cowboys and cowgirls over to rope and run barrels and where, in the midst of dirt and dust, Christ is glorified!
Come on over, we'd love to have ya!
PS - I've included a link of a successful team roping run off to the side.
