7/4/05

Ten folks this week, eight of whom are veterans. They all met here last year and decided to do it again.

Denise, Kathy and Joe from Delaware. Ike and Margie from Az.

Robin and Mandy from Il. Donna from here in New Mex. Our first timers are Reggie and Sarah, friends of Ike’s from Tx.

The week was spent working Negrito pasture getting cattle from there into 7HL pasture where we will leave them for a week then move them on into Loco Mtn. Pasture. One day Denise, Donna and I did a long loop through Canyon Creek pasture getting a few strays out of there. There is still a fire burning on our east side. It has just come on our range this week. While we were taking a break in Pine canyon the fire was less than a mile from us. Smoke billowing up and darkening the sky. It was kinda eriery. All week the clouds built up teasing us with the start of the summer rains. It wasn’t till Friday that it looked like it was really going to happen. About noon it started rumbling thunder and it sure seemed like it was our day but alas nothing more than a sprinkle and a lot of lightning.

On Saturday I spotted a tendril of smoke to our north from a new fire, and it grew fast. It’s about 7 miles away with a big canyon between us so I’m not worried about it.

Back on Thursday when all the horses came in Chappolitto was seen to be colicking. We started treatments of Banamine and walking. I knew it was not an impaction as he was pooping and farting and had some gut sounds. But he had no gum color and was in a lot of pain. By the time we headed out to ride he seemed better but Lia stayed home to keep and eye on him. A couple hours later she radioed that he was getting worse again so I trotted home to see what was going on. I then started him on Rompum along with the Banamine. He was really hurting, so I wanted to get him really dosed up so maybe he could relax and let things settle down. I figured it was a spasmodic colic, the same that killed Doc two years ago and Mangus 7 years ago. The two best cow horses I’d ever had.

The medication helped for a while. We could keep him comfortable for about 20 minutes between doses. As the afternoon wore on that time became less and less until finally about suppertime he was getting no relief and was in so much pain I put him down.

Now some of you may ask why not take him to a vet? There was no way he could have made the three and a half hour trailer ride over the mountain roads. He would have been down in the trailer rolling and sliding around. There was nothing the vet could do that we weren’t doing; the out come would have been the same.

Chappo was a great guy. He’d been here three years coming off the Navajo reservation he didn’t have a clue as to what was going on here when he arrived. As all new horses he was picked on but he stuck up for himself and earned respect and made friends. He learned and tried hard, soon becoming one of our 1 st string horses. He made a great week for a lot of guests coming through. If we put someone on him Monday they wanted him all week long. There is a big hole in our roster now.

He was laid to rest along side Doc, Mangus, D.B., Chula and Froggy.

It sure was good having all our friends back. It’s always fun to ride with Denise. I never have to look back. I know she is right there with me. We got in some pretty fun rides.

Ike of course was his usual ball bustin self…gotta love the guy. 74 and still going strong.

The week of July 10 th we had a small crew, just seven folks. Attila from Wa. came for the first of his two-week stay. He was here last September as well. Kelsey and Sam from Mn. Two young gals that worked hard all winter to come visit. Gabby and Jerry two brothers from Oh. and Billy and Dave from Tx. filled out the crew.

All week we worked cattle out of 7HL pasture moving them into Loco Mtn. pasture. A couple nights Attila and Gabby stayed out at Fence tank with Nate and Lia riding the far east side while the rest of us worked the west side. We moved just about 200 head over the week leaving just a few strays to find and move along.

We kept getting teased by rain but other than a few sprinkles we didn’t get any. It’s been raining all around us but we just haven’t gotten ours yet. I guess I shouldn’t be feeling put out. The last couple years no one around was getting rain while we were getting more than our share. It’s time some other folks got some good fortune.

The days were about 80 with a sunfactor well into the upper 90’s but the nights cooled off nicely getting down into the 40’s. It was a good crew, willing to do what ever it took to get the job done.

Billy bless his heart and sore ass was still always handy with a quip or line that would leave ya laughing.

Special Thanks to Alan from Leeds, England, for sending us this picture of Chappalito.  RIP, friend.