The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

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Winter Cow Work

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We sorted our first calf and replacement heifers off last weekend. The morning started out like any other cold, winter morning — a bit overcast, but I’ll be danged if the sun didn’t come out to visit and turn the day into something spectacular.

It was a pretty easy job to trail the girls home, so I was able to drive the ATV and take photos of the work.  That rarely happens, so to say I was excited is an understatement!  I hope you enjoy these as much as me!

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

There’s always that one cow that gives you a run for your money!

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

 

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

There are always teachable moments between a father and a son…

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

A herd marker.

This particular crossbred cow produces some of the nicest calves. They’re almost always as big as her when shipping season comes.

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

winter cow work, the south dakota cowigirl, cowboys, cattle work, winter in south dakota

The girls were in and out of the corral in a few short hours, handled with smiles, a little mud, and a lot of love.

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.

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