Ranch Hand Intern Aerin

Riding Fence in the Tall Pines

We have a new ranch hand intern. Aerin is here from sunny California to learn a little about ranching and check out a different lifestyle. He is still on the vertical learning curve. One thing he learned very quickly is that horseback riding lessons in an arena are not the same as riding in wide open and frequently ROUGH country. And to be honest, we did kind of throw him right into hard things. Aerin has been riding to high, backcountry fences clearing trails to get pack mules through. That involves crossing some really steep canyons and dodging a lot of low branches in route. Plus our cattle are in a pretty rough pasture now and have to be moved across an extremely steep canyon to fresh feed every day because the dirt tank is dry on the best feed area and the only water source is south of the good grass.

Where Aerin is riding is country that our guests never see up close and personal – unless they are experienced riders and have a true sense of adventure. We have plenty of easier country for the bulk of our guests to ride. But the cattle are in rough country and going to be moved to even rougher country in a week or so. Fences and water have to be checked before the longhorns change pastures. In fact Aerin is out with Bill today – checking fence and water. Hopefully they’ll be back by supper.

Once the cattle are in their winter pasture, we have 4 miles of fencing to pack in on mules and drop off along our southern boundary fence. That involves riding and leading a pack animal or two every day until done. The trip out is a loaded pack trip too because the old wire and T-posts get hauled out and taken in for recycling. Aerin will be a packing expert before that job is done. Fortunately our cowboy Bill is already an experienced packer and can teach Aerin as he works.

Aerin has had the “luck” to draw some other hard jobs. Yesterday he and Bill got to wade a frosty creek to fix a water-gap. Plus now is the time for getting in firewood. Aerin is having plenty of chainsaw and ax time. Aerin will get plenty of practice at rolling up old wire, patching fences, cleaning tack, knocking mud off horses, and helping Bill or Doug shoe. Plus we picked up a load of hay. 76 – 120-lb. bales to hand load and unload is a big task. Never a dull moment at the Double Circle.

Through it all Aerin has been a champ. He has never complained – even after getting dusted off his horse in a canyon. He is right there when Doug needs a hand with pipelines or a vehicle. He always has his horses fed early and ready to go. He even helps me cook – a rare thing on this ranch. And – Aerin is the only intern we have had who researched and read about low-stress herding and ranching before he came. He is doing well and on his way to making a hand.

Aerin Fusing Range Pipe in the Backcountry