Cowboy poetry shares flavor of the West

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

EVENTS

July 9-17 Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, Casper. For more information, visit centralwyomingfair.com or call 307235-5775. July 16-25 Converse County Fair, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit conversecountyfair.com or call 307-358-5438. July 21 Double 8 Ranch 2020 Environmental Stewardship Tour, Elk Mountain. For more information, contact the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at 307-638-3942 or visit wysga.org. July 23-Aug. 1 Cheyenne Frontier Days, Frontier Park, Cheyenne. For more information, visit cfdrodeo.com. July 23-Aug. 1 Platte County Fair, Platte County Fairgrounds, Wheatland. For more information, visit plattecountyfair.org or call 307-322-9504. July 23-Aug. 1 Teton County Fair, Teton County Fairgrounds, Jackson. For more information, visit tetoncountyfair.com or call 307-733-5289. July 23-Aug. 1 Weston County Fair, Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.com or call 307-746-9906. July 24-Aug. 1 Crook County Fair, Crook County Fairgrounds, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com or call 307-283-2644. July 25-26 16th Annual Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, Thermopolis. For more information, visit thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com. July 26-31 Washakie County Fair, Washakie County Fairgrounds, Worland. For more information, call 307-431-6318. July 26-Aug. 1 Big Horn County Fair, Big Horn County Fairgrounds, Basin. For more information, visit bighornfair.com or call 307-568-2968. July 27 Elk Feedground Meeting, 6 p.m., Laramie Game and Fish Office, Laramie. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/elkfeedgrounds. July 27-31 Park County Fair, Park County Fairgrounds, Powell. For more information, call 307-754-8855. July 28 Elk Feedground Meeting, 6 p.m., Rock Springs Public Library, Rock Springs. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/elkfeedgrounds. July 28-31 Sublette County Fair, Sublette County Fairgrounds, Big Piney. For more information, visit sublettecountyfair.com or call 307-276-5373. July 28-Aug. 7 Albany County Fair, Albany County Fairgrounds, Laramie. For more information, visit albanycountyfair.org or call 307-742-3224. July 29 Elk Feedground Meeting, 6 p.m., Casper Game and Fish Office, Casper. For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/elk-feedgrounds. July 29-Aug. 7 Goshen County Fair, Goshen County Fairgrounds, Torrington. For more information, visit goshencounty.org or call 307-532-2525. July 29-Aug. 7 Uinta County Fair, Uinta County Fairgrounds, Evanston. For more information, visit uintacountyfair.org or call 307-783-0313. July 30-31 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo, Sweetwater Events Complex, Rock Springs. For more information, visit rdrrodeo.com. July 30-Aug. 8 Campbell County Fair, Cam-Plex, Gillette. For more information, call 307-687-0200 or e-mail eae73@ccgov.net. July 30-Aug. 8 Johnson County Fair, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com/fair/ or call 307-6847357.

Big horn Basin

LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC

Worland, WY

Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781

Broadcasting and Online Bidding Available At lmaauctions.com. Please visit to fill out an application and view auctions.

Authorized Dealer

July 15 • 493 Hd.

Cows and Bulls Steady

EWE

Durfee, Melissa - Lovell 1 BKF Ewe, 125#...................$13000 Bell, Bill - Worland 1 Smut FC Ewe, 205#.............$7700 Hill, Gerald - Basin 5 BKF Ewes, avg. 186#...........$7400

GOAT

Mueller, Terry - Shell 1 Brown Goat....................$200/Hd. 2 Brown Goats..................$175/Hd. Hankinson, Roger - Worland 4 Spotted Goats..............$17250/Hd. 3 Brown Goats..................$5834/Hd. Anthony, Katherine - Ten Sleep 5 Boer Goats.....................$144/Hd.

KID

Mueller, Terry - Shell 2 Spkld FC Kid..................$130/Hd. 1 Spkld FC Kid..................$130/Hd.

LAMB

Bell, Bill - Worland 6 WF Lambs, avg. 78#..........$23500 Maser, Joan - Thermopolis 4 BKF Lambs, avg. 89#.........$23000 Mueller, Terry - Shell 10 Spkld FC Lambs, avg. 74#...$23000

BULLS

Rolling T Livestock - Powell 1 Blk Bull, 875#......................$11000 Greet, Daniel - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Bull, 1960#......................$9650 Haun, Bill - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1775#......................$9600 Ready, Merrill John - Thermopolis 1 BWF Bull, 1905#...................$9600 LU Ranch, Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1980#......................$9550 1 Blk Bull, 1955#......................$9500 Durbin Creek Ranch - Thermopolis 1 Red Bull, 1840#....................$9350 1 Hrfd Bull, 1935#....................$9300 1 Hrfd Bull, 1885#....................$9050 1 Hrfd Bull, 1780#....................$9000 1 Hrfd Bull, 1915#....................$8900 1 Hrfd Bull, 1710#....................$8500 Brown, Matt - Thermopolis 1 Blk Bull, 2155#......................$9100 Rolling T Livestock - Powell 1 Hrfd Bull, 2170#....................$9000 Greer, Lory Ross - Hyattville 1 Red Bull, 1695#....................$8700 Greet Ranch, Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Bull, 1880#......................$8400 Gooseberry Creek Ranch - Worland 1 Blk Bull, 1440#......................$8250 Rio Bravo Cattle Co. - Colo. Springs, CO 1 Blk Bull, 1880#......................$8100

COWS

Jones, Randall - Otto 1 Blk Cow, 1660#.....................$7350 Bennett/M & M Trust - Manderson 1 Hfrd Cow, 1775#...................$7325 1 Hrfd Cow, 1320#...................$6350 Haun, Bill - Worland 1 Blk Cow, 1595#.....................$7250 1 Blk Cow, 1720#.....................$7200 3 Blk Cows, avg. 1525#...........$7200 2 RWF/Bk Cows, avg. 1558#..$7100 1 Blk Cow, 1910#.....................$7000 1 Blk Cow, 1540#.....................$7000 5 Blk Cows, avg. 1534#...........$7000 1 BWF Cow, 1570#..................$7000 1 Blk Cow, 1660#.....................$7000 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1643#...........$7000 1 Blk Cow, 1490#.....................$6800 3 Blk Cows, avg. 1492#...........$6750 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1460#...........$6750 1 Blk Cow, 1255#.....................$6700 1 Blk Cow, 1385#.....................$6700 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1345#...........$6550 1 Blk Cow, 1225#.....................$6300 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1220#...........$6200 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1330#...........$6200 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1300#...........$6200 Walker, Eric - Burlington 1 Blk Cow, 1645#.....................$7250 Thomas, Fred - Meeteetse 2 Blk Cow, 1843#.....................$7100 Friesen, Joshua - Cody 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1553#...........$7100 1 Red Cow, 1380#...................$6500 Hessenthaler, Charles - Lovell 2 Blk Cow, 1585#.....................$7100 Nicholas Ranch - Fort Washakie 1 Blk Cow, 1655#.....................$6800 3 BWF Cows, avg. 1402#.......$6800 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1293#...........$6800 1 BWF Cow, 1315#..................$6750

1 Blk Cow, 1405#.....................$6750 1 Blk Cow, 1620#.....................$6700 3 Blk Cows, avg. 1417#...........$6700 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1448#...........$6700 1 Blk Cow, 1395#.....................$6650 1 Blk Cow, 1270#.....................$6600 Baird, Jack - Thermopolis 2 Blk Cows, avg. 1363#...........$6800 Lyman Ranch Co. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow,1355#......................$6800 1 Blk Cow, 1615#.....................$6800 Johnsey, Bob - Worland 1 CharX Cow, 1435#...............$6750 Greet Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Cow, 1190#.....................$6650 Love, Valerie - Thermopolis 1 Red Cow, 1335#...................$6500 Herman Livestock LLC - Hyattville 1 RWF Cow, 1230# .................$6450

HEIFERS

Greet Ranch Inc. - Ten Sleep 1 Blk Hfr, 765#........................$12850 Hillberry, Dee - Thermopolis 1 Hrfd Hfr, 545#......................$12500

HEIFERETTES

Walker, Eric - Burlington 1 Blk Hfrette, 1350#.................$9200 2 BWF Hfrette, 1340#..............$8950 1 Blk Hfrette, 1175#..................$8100 WS Livestock Inc. - Lander 1 BWF Hfrette, 1150#..............$8600

PAIRS

Bockman, Steven - Greybull 2 Blk Pairs........................$1300/Hd.

STEERS

Calvert, Nataline - Thermopolis 2 BWF Strs, avg. 738#..........$14450

Danny Vigil Northern Livestock Represenative

• Upcoming Sales •

July 29 – All Class Cattle Aug. 12 – All Class Cattle Aug. 21 – Saturday Horse

Sale at 1 p.m. Aug. 26 – Weigh-Up Special w/ All Class Cattle, Sheep &

Goat

July 19-21 Northern Livestock Video Auction 17th Annual Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Aug. 2-6 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale XXIX, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com Aug. 10-11 Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Aug. 16-17 Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Aug. 16-20 Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic XVII, Sheridan, 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com Aug. 23-24 Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Sept. 3-5 Powder River Quarter Horse Breeders Association 44th Annual Horse

Sale, Futurity & Versatility Ranch Horse Show, Broadus, Mont., 406427-5420, prqhba.com Sept. 4 Proffit Ranch 20th Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.com Sept. 11 Open Box Rafter Ranch 28th Annual Horse Sale, Rapid City, S.D., 605538-4450, rafterranch.com Sept. 13 Wyoming Wool Growers Association Premier Ewe Sale, Douglas, 307-265-5250, wyowool.com Sept. 14 93rd Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas, 307-265-5250, 307-351-1422, wyowool.com Sept. 14 Western Video Market, Haythorn Ranch, Ogallala, Neb., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com Sept. 15 8th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-945-0404, mtsheep.org Sept. 16 96th Annual Montana Ram Sale, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, Miles City, Mont., 406-210-2852, mtsheep.org Sept. 16 Cattle Country Video Sandhills Roundup Sale, Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center, Cheyenne, 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Sept. 17 Northern Livestock Video Auction Fall Premier, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com Sept. 17-18 25th Anniversary Van Norman and Friends Production Sale, Elko County Fairgrounds, Elko, Nev., 775-756-6508, 775-934-7404, vannormansale.com Sept 19 19th Annual Sugar Bars Legacy Sale, Sheridan County Fairgrounds, Sheridan, 605-347-8120, sugarbarslegacy.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

Cowboy Poetry Preserves History

A lot of history and flavor of the West, and especially Wyoming, has been preserved by those who lived it. Many a cowboy or sheepherder saved his thoughts with pencil and paper while others snapped pictures of what they experienced.

One of those cowboy poets was Rusty Fryer, a cowboy, sheepherder, camp cook, bartender, gentlemen and local character who came to town to get a drink or two, raise hell and have a good time. He was born in Saratoga on July 26, 1897 and grew up on a ranch west of town.

Rusty quit school when he was 14 years old and went to herding sheep. It was during this time he found time to pen his poetry.

With all the celebrations this summer, and the upcoming Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering in Encampment the weekend of July 16-18, this poem seems appropriate.

When Charlie Hit ‘Togy

By Charles E. “Rusty” Fryer I hit the town of ’Togy

On th’ mornin’ of th’ fair, An’ entered in the’ buckin’

More in fun than on th’ square.

Then I knocked around all morning’

As I had nothin’ else t’ do, An’ when I felt my nerve a-slippin’, I would go an’ hoist a few.

Soon I heard th’ band a-playin’

As they headed for th’ track, So I went an’ throw’d muh saddle

On th’ ol’ nag’s back.

An’ we started for th’ fair grounds

A happy lot of boys, I saw a couple o’ races

An’ heard a’ lot o’ noise.

When th’ judges says, “You punchers,

Line up for th’ draw,” I got an ol’ gray mare

‘Bout as handsome as a squaw.

But when I steps upon her

Th’ crowd growed mighty still, An’ I saw th’ punchers grinnin’

Guess they know I’s goin’ t’ spill.

So I waved my hat an’ hollered

An’ I slapped her in th’ flank, I grabbed her in th’ shoulders

With silver mounted shank.

She left th’ chute a bawlin’

An’ made one jump plumb grand, I reached down for th’ safety

An’ hit a-clawin’ sand.

Th’ crowd than hollered

“Rotten!

Yohr ridin’s pretty cheap So I beat it t’ th’ mountains

An’ went t’ herdin’ sheep.

CRP signups available

Agricultural producers and landowners can apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup now until Aug. 20. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones.

The CRP Grassland signup is competitive, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide for annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.

“We are excited to roll out our new and improved CRP Grasslands signups,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Bottom line, CRP now makes more financial sense for producers while also providing a bigger return on investment in terms of natural resource benefits. The Grasslands signup is part of a broader suite of tools available through CRP to integrate key conservation practices on our nation’s working lands.”

A University of Wyoming (UW) Extension publication promotes the local food movement across Wyoming, connecting consumers with producers, according to its authors.

“Wyoming’s farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture operations and other food ventures are open for the season, and this means plenty of locally produced products are available statewide,” said Cole Ehmke, UW Extension specialist in rural entrepreneurship and project coordinator.

The 2021 Wyoming Specialty Crop Directory, which can be found at uwyo.edu/uwe/specialtycrops, has nearly 800 listings, including many for producers and the specialty crops they offer.

Among their offerings are fresh vegetables and fruits, culinary herbs and spices, honey and homemade goods such as jams, jellies, salsas, barbecue and hot sauces, pickled and fermented vegetables, fruit pies and wine.

“Our goal is to help residents and visitors alike find local sources for specialty crops and goods made out of these crops,” Ehmke said. “The directory shows how Wyoming producers are developing a more resilient food system and producing a wonderful variety of products.”

He added, “The producer-consumer connection is powerful, and the listings should engage everyone, whether they’re new to local food, deeply engaged in supporting local communities or visiting our state for the first time.”

The directory was compiled by publication editor and co-author Robert Waggener.

“Robert worked tirelessly to assemble listings for the 189-page guide,” Ehmke said.

Waggener’s work involved communicating with approximately 1,000 people across Wyoming and beyond.

In addition to listings for producers and farmers’ markets, Waggener said, “The directory includes school and community gardens; local, state and national organizations and agencies which are directly involved with agriculture, including specialty crops; a list of resources to help producers, businesses, organizations and others build on the local food movement; and nearly 200 local photos.”

Many of the listings are essentially a brief story about someone having an idea to create a specialty crop food venture and then having the grit to get it started, said Waggener.

“Purchasing locally produced food provides the opportunity to not only find tasty, fresh and healthy food, but to support a community and its entrepreneurs and residents,” he said.

The directory includes a list of eligible specialty crops defined by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Funding was provided by the USDA AMS’ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

To request a hard copy, fill out the form at uwyo.edu/uwe/specialtycrops/, contact Ehmke at cehmke@uwyo.edu or call 307-766-3782.

Ehmke said plans are being made to update the directory on an annual or biennial basis.

This article was written by University of Wyoming Extension Senior Editor Dr. Steve Miller and is courtesy of the University of Wyoming. Miller can be reached at slmiller@uwyo. edu. For more information, visit uwagnews.com.

Development and origins of bits, horsemanship shared

For thousands of years, horsemen have been using devices in their horse’s mouths for control and communication when riding or driving the horse – taking advantage of the interdental space between the horse’s incisors and molars.

Reins attached to the bit enabled the rider or driver to have contact with the mouth and control of the horse. Some kind of headstall, hanging from an area behind the ears serves to hold the bit in place.

Bit types

There are basically only two kinds of bits: The snaffle – with no shanks – and the curb – with shanks, plus the Pelham type which combines a snaffle and curb. There have been hundreds of different variations on these basic bit types.

A double bridle, used by some English riders, polo players and in some equestrian competitions like dressage, actually has two bits – a curb and a snaffle – in the horse’s mouth.

Over the years, horsemen have created and modified the devices they put into the horse’s mouth to control him. The snaffle, the first type of bit invented, was originally used in chariot racing before horses were actually being ridden. The snaffle is generally a straight bar resting on the horse’s gums in the interdental space with rings on each end of the bar to attach to the headstall and to the reins.

Sometimes, a cheek piece was added to the rings to make it less likely that the bit could be pulled through the horse’s mouth.

The Egyptians were using jointed snaffles by 1400 B.C. These bits had straight cheek pieces, sometimes with sharp spikes pointing toward the horse.

Horsemanship of bits

The type of bit used on a horse is not nearly as important as the horsemanship that accompanies it. When it comes to developing a good mouth on a horse – a mouth that is “soft” and responsive to the bit – there is no substitute for light hands, good seat and balance and the sensitivity to know how to interact with the horse.

A “hard-mouthed” horse which pulls on the bit and is unresponsive to signals is usually made this way by misuse of the bit. Jerking on the bit or excessive pulling on the reins can damage the nerves of the gums the bit rests on, making the horse less sensitive to a finer touch.

The straight snaffle is supposed to be the least severe bit, but if the bit is thin and narrow, it can cut into the horse’s gums if used harshly. A jointed or broken snaffle can bend in the middle and puts more pressure on the sides of the mouth when pulled on.

A curb bit has shanks extending downward from the mouthpiece and reins are attached to the shanks. When the reins are pulled, it creates more leverage and the bit is tipped in the horse’s mouth; the raised port in the center of the mouthpiece tips downward and presses on the tongue and the curb strap or chain tightens against the horse’s jaw.

The Pelham combines the effects of both a snaffle and a curb with four reins. A pull on the snaffle reins puts a direct pull on the bars and sides of the horse’s mouth, just like a snaffle bit. On the other hand, a pull on the curb reins puts leverage on the tongue and tightens the curb chain or strap. A Pelham bit is ideal for transitioning a young green horse from the snaffle bit to a curb.

Origin and development

University of Kentucky State Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Bob Coleman has always been interested in the many different bits in use today and historically. He has been collecting bits for a long time and now has more than 400 different bits. Coleman says there are dozens of variations on the basic snaffle, and just as many varieties of curb bits.

“The Texas curbs and the vaquero bits and spade bits are examples,” he explains. “It’s amazing how much steel we put into a horse’s mouth with some of those big spade bits. These bits look like they’d be uncomfortable for the horse or even brutal, but if they are designed properly and used appropriately, that extra metal is not a big deal.”

The Spanish spade bit is probably the most extreme in elaborate craftsmanship, versus the Texas curb, which is very simple.

“Those early bits may have been more simple because that’s what the blacksmith could make,” Coleman notes.

He continues, “There are other bits that are mechanically elaborate. Are we better horsemen because of the elaborate bit, or are we trying to use it to make up for our lack of horsemanship?”

Some of the very simple bits may have been simple because there was also a lack of horsemanship, and the simple bit helped keep the horse from being hurt.

“Some of the bits that have been around for thousands of years could be very harsh, including some of the medieval curb bits, and they were horrendous,” says Coleman.

“I have half a dozen Texas curb bits with different shanks and they are so simple compared to some of the other curbs,” he shared. “A gentleman I often ride with uses a curb bit with jointed mouthpiece, short shanks and it’s very simple and works well. With this kind of bit, one can ride one- or twohanded because it works like a snaffle or a curb.”

“Everyone is happy, especially the horse,” he adds.

The important thing is not the bit, however, but the hands on the reins. This determines whether the bit is used harshly or appropriately. Even the most simple and mild snaffle bit can be painful for the horse if used harshly.

Often, horsemen talk about “good hands,” but Coleman goes a step farther and says the important thing is actually a “good head,” to direct those hands and to keep the rider in tune with the horse at just the slightest touch of the reins to give signals through the bit.

Heather Smith Thomas is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Bit types – There are many different types of bits for each stage of development in a horse’s training, as well as riding discipline. Courtesy photo “There are other bits that are mechanically elaborate. Are we better horsemen because of the elaborate bit, or are we trying to use it to make up for our lack of horsemanship?” – Dr. Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky