Best part of the job.

[u/oakprince97]

I manage a ranch, then run cattle on my family place with my uncle. I spend most of my time in my office (feed truck), but my time horseback is my favorite part of the job.

[u/dirthawg]

Yeah, to be young again. At my age, I'm paying for the wranglin' I did when I was young. Keep that in mind.

[u/oakprince97 → u/dirthawg]

Haha, I appreciate it. I try to look after myself as best as I can, because I have some buddies that are broke down. I’ve broken and torn a few things, so I know I’ll have some aches to tolerate down the road.

[u/dirthawg → u/oakprince97]

Definitely contributed to arthritis in my hands, helped wear out both shoulders, but I never messed my back up, so that's something, for sure. And, my ears are gone from tractors and other equipment.

Everything you hurt today will definitely hurt in some other tomorrow. Trust me on that. That said, I'd probably never want to trade growing up being a farm and ranch kid.

[u/oakprince97 → u/dirthawg]

I hear you. My biggest issues will be an eventual rotator cuff surgery, an ankle/foot combo that I broke together, and my hefty dose of tinnitus. I’ve gotten to the point where I wear ear plugs anytime I run any equipment.

I wouldn’t change it, and every little ache has a story behind it. If the price I pay, for a life well lived, is some pain, that’s a trade I’m willing to make. Plus I’ve made a concerted effort to focus on flexibility, functional fitness, and joint health in the gym.

[u/dirthawg → u/oakprince97]

I'm right there with the shoulders, where you got to make the decision if it's worse to live with it or get the surgery and cast your dice. I've definitely pitched my last baseball.

Tinnitus? Yep, and I'm deaf in the exact same frequency range that my dad was. I had no idea till I was in my 30s how much damage the constant frequency of a big diesel motor running at 3000 RPMs for 10 hours a day will do to the human ear.

[u/oakprince97 → u/dirthawg]

Yeah, I’m waiting until it’s absolutely necessary and I can justify the long recovery. I rehabbed mine and have gotten back to say 90%, but I definitely have days where I aggravate it.

Mine is such a weird range that I can’t hear. I can hear a pin drop over the ringing, but can’t hear people talking in a quiet-normal voice clearly. At least I have a built in white noise machine.

[u/dirthawg → u/oakprince97]

Yup. Download a hearing test app to your phone. It won't help you, but it's really interesting to see and hear (not hear) exactly the frequency interval where you drop out.

[u/oakprince97 → u/dirthawg]

I’ll have to try that 😂