The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

You are here: Home / #Agchat / By the Light of the Full Moon

By the Light of the Full Moon

by 3 Comments

Shipping season has arrived! The time of year that I’d say most ranchers look forward to – reaping the rewards of their season of hard work, through calving in the snow, haying in the heat, fixing broken balers in the blazing sun, and doctoring mama cows for various ailments.

Last week, we were scheduled to be at the neighbor’s place for an early morning gather. I didn’t know what time he needed us, and as such, I hadn’t left my saddle horses in the corral overnight. When he called, I told him it’d be close as to whether or not we’d get there before they started, but told him we’d do our best.

I awoke at 6am, and realized we had a full moon. Piling on a few layers, while downing a cup of coffee, I headed out to gather the horses. There’s nothing quite so romantic as gathering horses in the light of early morning. I wasn’t sure how I’d find them. The grass is still tall enough that even with the bright beams turned on in the side-by-side, It was hard to see more than 10 feet in front of you. Luckily, I spotted our one paint horse, and was able to see and make out the rest – finding the ones I needed for our ride.

They were all full of themselves this cool, fall morning. They headed to the corral at a full-on run, not because I’d chased them into it, but because they were feeling good! I wish that it had been light enough to take some photos, because it was beautiful – seeing the horses lined out against the dark, purple, morning sky.

We hurriedly saddle the horses, and loaded them, heading over to the neighbor’s place where we were served breakfast burritos to eat, as we trotted out to get the cows. I’ve finally found someone else in this part of the country that knows how to make something spicy. Man was that some good eating!

Being horseback, as the sun peeks over the horizon, is probably one of the things I look forward to most this time of year. There’s something freeing and cathartic about it, in addition to it being a beautiful site to see.

IMG_7191

IMG_7195

IMG_7198

IMG_7199

The gather went well, the sorting went well and the calves loaded and shipped well too. I’d say I’m blessed to live this life, but I think grateful and fortunate are better descriptions. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, but living in ranch country, makes it that much better.

Happy Trails!

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Robyn says

    Fall cattle work is one of my favorites too, Jen. Glad shipping went well and hope all of your fall work goes just as good.

    We are going to start moving pairs home from summer grass this week. Like you, I love watching the sun come up while working with cattle.

    Reply

What's on your mind?