Thursday, February 22, 2018

Bull Dogging Is For BIG Boys!

I know I've shown you a LOT of rodeo pictures, but bear with me, I promise these are the last of the 811 images I took.  How could I NOT show you this little six year old girl riding her pony in the barrel races.  Now THIS is a girl just like me.  I had my first horse (a full sized 1200 pound boy named Pico) at the age of four.  By six, I was moving cattle all over the ranch.  

I had a little trouble getting up on Pico's back, so I would lead him to our tractor ramp, crawl up on that and lead him alongside, then jump on.  He was one of the best horses I ever had!  Can you imagine, sending your six year old out to ride alone?  Nowadays, parents would probably freak out, but back then, it's just what we did!!

This little one didn't win, but she sure did try.  Those pony legs were just a little too short in the deep mud, but she rode like she's been doing it all her life.
On the other end of the spectrum are the BIG boys who do the bull dogging.  These horses are highly trained to run beside a calf as their rider drops off the right hand side while they continue on down the arena alone.  
I have to say this doesn't look like very much fun to me!!  Once he has a hold on the head, the bulldogger sticks his legs out front and slides in the sandy soil until the calf stops.  Due to the deep mud, they didn't slide at all ... their feet got immediately swept out behind them, resulting in this.
Once the calf is stopped, the bulldogger turns his body and the calf's head to the right until the calf falls down.  It's a timed event which can be done in as little as 6 seconds from leaving the chute, if the ground and the calf cooperate.  That didn't happen on this day.
I mean look at this!!  His feet just got swept right out from under him.  These calves are strong at around 4-500 pounds.
This calf finally stopped, but that put this bulldogger face down in the dirt.  Don't you want to just run out and try this??  
Okay ... that was the last of the rodeo images ... I think.  We got another smidgen of rain with lots of fabulous clouds and now the weather has turned cold, as in a chilly 30-34 degrees.
In the meantime, next on my list is new carpet for the guest bedroom.  My plan was to do laminate flooring, but with all the trouble the Chance household is having, I think I'll stick to the much easier to install carpet.  






12 comments:

  1. Yup just wanna run right out and do that bulldogging, 50 years ago maybe.
    Good luck with your new flooring and hopefully soon get some warmer weather.

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    1. Yeah, I think bulldogging is a way to get hurt real quick! Funny, last year it was cold only three days. This year, brrrrrrrrr.

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  2. Nancy, I've never been to a rodeo so have enjoyed your pictures a lot. That little 'Nancy' is so cute!
    The bulldoggers sure make me want to grab a cowboy, I mean a horse! ha ha Looks like fun to watch.
    Now when you talk about your refurbishings, I can picture where you are talking about and that view is gorgeous out your back yard.

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    1. Well I admit I did grab a cowboy or two in my younger days. Now they're as scarce as hen's teeth.

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  3. Just a personal thought, I think laminate flooring would be better. Once you pull the old carpet and under padding up, see what the floor looks like. I don't think you will have the same problem as the Chance Household. If you do laminate, you will put another under pad back down, much like the carpet under pad. Good luck with which ever way you go.

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    1. Bill, I think you are right. It even seems like the price is the same, in which case I would go for the laminate.

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  4. Agreeing with Bill Carpet will require Vacuuming, show the wear much more and any furniture will leave impressions as well as having to be lifted to move. Carpet is also known to hold Alergeons that float through the air as well as tracked in dirt. With Laminate it it can be quickly dusted, with Felt tips added to the Furniture it can easily be slid without heavy lifting and should last a Lifetime.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. I think you hit the nail on the head Rick. Easier cleanup!!!

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  5. My first thought was she looks so tiny on the horse. Then reading what you wrote about yourself at this age, wow. Thanks for including today's pictures. The last three rodeo shots you could see the action unfold, great shots.
    Beautiful colors in your last one.

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    1. Thank you!! Yes, she was very tiny and rode like the wind. A very accomplished horse rider for her age.

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  6. Lots of things we did back in the 50's and early '60's that today one would never do. Loved all the Rodeo Pics!

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    1. You are SO right Dave!! I think we improved in the brain and smarts department!!

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