Have you ever been to a branding? Do you know the smell? Even days, weeks after being home, I’m still getting whiffs of it. It’s not necessarily a good smell. Not something you’d want on a candle. It’s burning hair and skin for goodness sake. But I like it. It brings back memories. Memories of when I was a teenager and would travel with my friend and her family every spring to Nevada to brand calves and push them out onto the mountain. I remember bringing in calves to brand, and racing the ranch kids and my friend on my half arabian half quarter horse mare across the salty desert, and what a rush that was. This smell brings back memories of working on a ranch in Nevada my first summer after highschool.
More recently it reminds me of the first time Tatum rode a horse (just 4 months old!). It reminds me of the week I rode my husbands horse Nala, and how much trust I gained in her that week after riding miles and miles. Enough trust to rope off of her in the branding pen, which I have never done on a different horse other than my old boy Copper who isn’t around anymore.
Our trip to Jiggs, Nevada to help the Barnes family brand calves was such a needed vacation. We were pretty much off the grid – spotty cell service – no internet – no kids – no responsibilities. It was just what we needed! Everyday we got up early, saddled horses, and went out to gather and push cows before the afternoon thunderstorms rolled in. Over the 4 days we helped brand over 350 cows. We rode countless miles. They fed us delicious home cooked food. We worked, but it was a break for our brains.
Branding | Barnes Ranch – Jiggs Nevada
Here at Lauren Anderson Photography we love to capture the connection you have with your horses and family; whether it is working on the ranch, competing in the arena, or going on a trail ride. We love real moments, and love to capture you doing what you do day in and day out. We understand that horses aren’t just a hobby, they are a lifestyle.
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