Spa Day at the Rockin' K bar C Ranch

Shortly after I posted the feature 17 Yaks, I received word from Anna that "Kelly put old granny Scratcher down. We did hospice care for the last three days just in case she was faking. Now there are 16 Yaks."

Yaks are taken to pasture from their winter pens in May. Anna, Kelly, and Ellyn invited me to the ranch to witness the preparation of the Yaks before the Yaks can be released to pasture. Yaks are not like cattle. Yaks are wild and unpredictable, which I compare to walking my cat, Ollie, or rather Ollie walking me. An old Stockman/Cowboy would say that a person or a horse or dog has 'cow sense.' You instinctively know how to move, when to step forward to push, when to back off to make the animal/herd go where you want. And then there are Yaks!

As I watched, I assumed Kelly, Anna, and Ellyn held the poles horizontally for their protection. Anna later explained," they were herding the Yaks on their flight instinct and using the poles as a visual barrier. However, over the years, the intelligent Yaks had realized it is less of an obstacle than when they first started using the poles."

After the success of getting a Yak in the squeeze chute, brushing and combing of hair, hooves clipped, hair collected for DNA testing and vaccinations if required. It reminded me of a scene from the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Lion get groomed.

It can take anywhere from 15mins to 40, depending on the personality of the Yak.

A little prod from Ellyn.

Overheard from the Yaks," I think we are next."

Collecting DNA

Ellyn and Destiny combing

Clipping hooves is an art and is accomplished quickly. Ellyn has a rope around the Yak's hock, and Kelly quickly clips. If the Yak is stubborn, it takes a few attempts to cut the hoof. Hooves are clipped on the Rockin K bar C Ranch because the pasture land lacks the rocks for the Yaks hooves to trim naturally.

I saved one.

Kelly pours Ivermectin on the Yak to treat roundworms, lungworms, grubs, horn flies, lice, and mites.

The combed-out hair is a sought-after item to make Scarfs, gloves, and socks. I collected some hair to tie flies for fishing. In the Himalayas, Yak hair is used for tents. You can see through the tent until it rains, swelling the hair follicles making them water repellent.

Steve opens the gate

Kelly told me letting the Yaks out reminded him of Alice Cooper's lyrics, "School's out for summer."

Dot at high speed

After the spa session the Yaks play in the water and roll in the mud.

Correction for 17 Yaks. On a closer look at the photos from 17 Yaks, Penelope did not charge me; it was Snowflake. My relationship with Penelope is healthy.

Thank you 16 Yaks , Anna, Kelly, Ellyn, Destiny and Steve .

Anna and Kelly recommend

THE YAK - SECOND EDITION (fao.org)

David J Gallipoli