10 Lessons of Ranch Life

I would rather be on my farm, than be emperor of the world." - George Washington 

Ranch views

Ranch What?

Every day on the ranch is a new experience, and with experience comes wisdom. Some of the wisdom gained is learned through a period of trial and error. Choosing to live a country lifestyle teaches you lessons in many shapes, sizes and varieties. Some of these lessons are welcomed with open arms, others are great stories later on. We have learned so much from our farm, and want to share 10  quick lessons learned on the ranch. 

Clara and her bottle calf

The 10 Lessons 

1: Put the light in the chicken coop before it freezes, or you'll have frozen eggs for breakfast 

This last year didn't get too cold at the ranch until late December. We had just upgraded our chicken coop and honestly didn't even think anything of the colder weather. One morning after it first snowed, Ellie (8) came in from collecting eggs. She wanted some eggs for breakfast, so she cracked on a freshly gathered egg to find it a little frozen. Needless to say if you don't have a heat light in your coop your eggs might freeze and breakfast takes twice as long.  

A look inside a frozen egg...

2: ​Don’t wait for the hose. Fill your buckets and carry them to water the horses. It makes strong muscles and good kids

Momma didn't raise no sissys. Being in a large family we all had animals to take care of and sometimes one hose wasn't enough. We kids got "farmer" strong from hauling water to different animals and getting our work done. 

Mountain ride flex

3: Always remember to chain the gate shut.—Otherwise mom gets to catch the horses all by herself while the kids are at school. 

How many times has this happened in your family? During the school year all the kids are at school and there have been multiple times horses, dogs, goats... you name it have gotten out. Luckily they are all pretty good to catch, but we always get an earful when we get home. :)

BTS Family pictures 2020 Audra and Cassie

4: Play hard, work Hard! Go ahead and eat the dirt, the doctor says it keeps you healthy!

A couple years ago, Cam, told one of her friends the reason she wasn't allergic to anything was because she ate dirt as a kid. There is a lot of dirt involved in ranch life and a little dirt never hurt anyone. Whether it's working hard or playing hard dirt is always involved somehow, even if its a little mud wrestling. 

Ru, working hard or playing?

5: When dad says we have a half days work that means 12 hours, remember there are 24 hours in a day
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It took us kids a little bit of time to figure this one out. When dad would say we only had a little bit of work the general assumption was we would be done by noon. The work is never done and even those 12 hours are not always enough. 

The boys working on the farm truck

6: Frank and Liz are the goats not the neighbors 
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A year ago the kids got some goats to practice goat tying. The littles decided to name them Frank and Liz. A while later someone came to visit and we told them we needed to go get Frank and Liz so they could meet them. Imagine the surprise when she was greeted by two little goats instead of people. Never assume when hearing a name, especially on a farm. 

Ru with Frank and Liz

7: There is always time for a quick workout, it just may not be in a gym ​

When there is no time for the gym you get creative with your workouts. Like mentioned above, you can always haul water around. There is always some hay to move or a dog to carry. 

Hink moving some straw into the barn

8: If you can’t do farm chores in it, it isn’t worth owning 
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Despite whether you like it or not chores have to be done everyday. Sometimes you have to run out to take care of something in whatever you have on. Even with the best planning, some days you gotta do what you gotta do. If you can't take care of a sick animal or feed in the outfit, it may not be worth owning. 

Who said we don't have style?

9: The quickest way to get the kids out of bed is to holler “cows/horses are out” 

There have been multiple mornings where we have been woken up at all hours of the night to help get cows back in. One morning we were in such a hurry to get saddled and find them that almost everyone just threw on some boots and left the house in there pajamas. One of the best memories we have together as siblings is that morning in our pjs, singing at the top of our lungs and moving cows. 

The girls coming home from rounding up cows

10: When your favorite critter dies, it's ok to cry 

Losing an animal is never easy. It is hard sometimes to understand why even after all your hard work they don't make it. No matter how hard you try to save them, there are times when they just don't make it. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn. We have lost sheep, horses, dogs and cows. With each one it never gets any easier. It's ok to cry and feel sad but then it’s time to buck up and know you did all you could. You learn from these moments and they make you better. 

We are on a journey to bridge the gap between producer and consumer by sharing our dream, knowledge and experience with the world. Hold on tight the ride is only 8 seconds long. ​