Lessons Learned in the Branding Pen
- Emily Elizabeth
- Oct 2, 2018
- 3 min read
Calves bawling, momma cows bellowing in reply, the loud commentary of those working ground crew and the constant blowing wind... All those sounds, yet there is silence. All I can hear are my own thoughts as I prepare to throw a loop. In moments like these, life lessons are learned.
There are two sectors, if you will, in the branding pen: the ground crew and the ropers. The ropers' job is fairly simple; ride in, put a heel loop on a calf, dally, drag the calf to the ground crew, keep the rope tight while the ground crew works, and finally let the calf up on cue. That's if everything goes according to plan and you're a fantastic roper who never misses. The thing is, most of us, don't start out fantastic ropers. Everyone starts out a beginner and there's a first time for everything. Let me paint you a picture of one of the first days I spent dragging calves...
It was a particularly hot day for April and as is typical on the Oklahoma plains, the wind was blowing about 90-miles-an-hour. For the sake of protecting some of my pride, I'm going to blame the dirt in my eyes and extreme wind for the number of times I missed that day. I'm sure the blinding dirt had something to do with my multiple missed dallies as well. Truth be told, I didn't know what I was doing. I could handle a horse and I could work cattle, but dragging calves was all new. Now, I'm the type of person that likes to be the best at everything I do. I also expect to begin with unrivalled skill. I honestly lose all logical thinking and truly believe I am capable of being an expert without any knowledge or experience in the practice. That was the first lesson I learned in the branding pen. Everyone starts out a beginner, even me.
Part of my illogical thinking was that I didn't actually need to be taught... Every time someone on ground crew or one of the other ropers would give me instruction my blood would begin to boil. Now, this wasn't because I was upset with the instructors or instruction. It was a fuming frustration with myself. I was irritated that I wasn't doing as well as I expected myself to do. However, when I forced myself to cool down long enough to apply their critiques, I learned that they were right. I also learned that when I channel my anger into the task at hand I suddenly get a lot better and a lot more productive.
These days I've come a long way from that day roping in the blowing dust. I still occasionally get frustrated with myself when I don't do as well as I intend. I'm still working on that. Thankfully, my roping abilities have improved, although I'm still far from superb. There are so many skills that go into roping and each of them need to be practiced. It takes communication with the horse and handling the cattle wisely. It requires proper positioning of your horse with the calf you intend to rope. The correct technique when throwing the loop must be used for success. Dallying at the precise moment there's just enough slack in the rope to drag the calf out and not too much slack that he steps out of the loop is essential. You have to make sure your loop isn't above the hock or below the fetlock (ankle) to avoid crippling a calf. You must keep your horse calm enough to drag the calf slowly to the ground crew and then keep the rope tight so that they can do their job safely and efficiently. Before releasing the calf, it takes good judgement in waiting for everyone to be ready before you drag the calf away from the ground crew and give him enough slack so that he can kick the rope off and get up. Every part of roping demands and teaches: repetition, concentration, and an incredible amount of patience.
Originally published on the Odyssey Online and in the Quanah Tribune Chief.
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