Yaks 101 Tours & Yaks Matter

22/06/2023

While everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is celebrating the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice. Here at the ranch we are celebrating a birthday for our special orphan bottle raised finger-sucking sweetest yak calf ever to be born has reached a significant milestone today!

Solstice is now 7 years old, which means a yak doesn't get full adult grown-up status until this age. With her all being grown up, we can't help but wonder if any of our Yaks 101 Tours fans would love to share any special memories about her, and a special bonus if you have photos of your time interacting with her.

Though we don't do tours anymore sadly, we can't help but celebrate the moments when tour guests would come meet the herd when a gangly awkward calf would come running towards them at full speed to suck on their fingers as a method of affection way beyond when she was weaned at a year old.

As musician k.d. lang would say appropriately about today, “Sweet, sweet burn of sun and summer wind, And you my friend, my new fun thing, my summer fling. Laugh, oh how we would laugh at anything, and so pretend a never-ending summer fling.”

Miss you Solstice and I hope you know that you were my other favorite yak I helped raise during my time at Yaks Matter.

🎂 🐃 🎈☀️ 🎉

08/09/2022

Yesterday, we lost an icon, and I can’t believe I have to write a eulogy now for my big special oaf as well, but I had to say goodbye to Dowa. He was eleven years young, gone way too soon. Yaks are supposed to live up to 30 years in a domesticated environment. Now there is yak sized hole in my heart and there will be soon to be in your hearts too I’m afraid.

The first time I saw Dowa was before I even knew his name and the rest of the herd’s names, it was on a beautiful day on May 28th, 2011. Only later we met the Holders who recently bought the property next door to my father’s house in Crawford. I was in such awe seeing these majestic large animals, with high arching horns, and long flowing hair. Their devotion to each other and how different they behaved compared to everyday cows.
That first encounter with that special white calf would take me on a journey I would never forget and learned that the beauty of the yak goes beyond its exotic appearance.

When I spent more time with Dowa and his herd, he grew and grew. During his eight years on the Holder ranch, he became a giant, both in body and in presence. Just like what his name meant in Tibetan, Moon. Though I never got to weigh him, I believe that in his prime, he probably weighed over 1,000 pounds, but it was his personality that made the biggest impression.
When he was weaned from his wild and dangerous mom he could finally connect with his human friends, and from then on Dowa and I had a special bond that was beginning to form. So much so that twice we were invited to compete at the National Western Stock Show. Though we didn’t win any trophies or ribbons…the best award was yet to come.

On May 14, 2014, I got a college graduation card from the Holders in the mail, after graduated from Colorado Mountain College. Inside the card it read “For a graduation gift, Jack and I have decided to give you our very special yak, Dowa, with the belief that you will take good care of him and will continue to share with him with us as well.” As you can imagine the excitement, during that time a pledge came into my head “I, Carter Keegan, promise to you Dowa, to use my continuing wisdom about animals in the direction of love and balance taking care of your physical needs. While at the same time respect that you are a thinking feeling being that is connected to the WHOLE circle of life and energy on this Earth.” This was the best college graduation gift I could have ever received! This is the same iconic picture everyone is familiar with I have shared and told people I have a pet yak time and time again.

I got into thinking of wanting to share the message and meeting of yaks with others, I started a side business called YAKS 101 TOURS. People would come up, sign liability forms, and join me and meet Dowa as well as the rest of his herd what yaks are. These tours touched so many lives. So much so that some tour guests even bought yaks and started raising their own herds. Dowa always enjoyed his alone time in the yak herd. He liked his human friends most of all, preferring their company over his fellow yak family members, though I know he enjoyed his yak time too when humans weren’t around. At the sound of his name, he would come meander over, this massive beast yet so gentle would want to get his silky white hair brushed by new and old visitors alike.

Then on June 10, 2019, due to a totally unexpected unfortunate falling-out circumstance from Shannon, told me that Dowa couldn’t stay any longer at his home, Butte Pasture. Despite everything, I had done for him, his herd, the ranch, and the Holder family for almost a decade. This was the home he had known since birth and he was ordered and had to find a new place to live…immediately! This was right before I was heading back to Canisius for another fall semester. Much to Dowa and I’s dismay, quickly I sprang into action and reached out for help from neighboring ranches in the North Fork Valley.

Unfortunately, ranches and or farms with herds of yaks are not very numerous. Just when I had almost given up as no one even bothered to answer my email plea for help. I am still surprised that I never got a response from a different yak ranch in Paonia or even a much larger one in Montrose. Finally, I got an email confirmation from one ranch, this one by the name of Princess Beef, a centennial 100% grass-fed beef operation. The ranch has very high standards and it is both certified by The American Grassfed Association and Animal Welfare Approved. The Housewearts were the first to respond and said, “We would be happy to board him.”

For two years Dowa lived at the Housewearts beef cattle herd. At first, the humans and cattle were a little hesitant to welcome home such a massive creature that had large horns. That quickly changed once I helped introduce him and saw his gentle demeanor. From then on, the Housewearts soon taught him the ropes of everything at Princess Beef. People visiting the ranch or driving by would stop to ooh and ahh seeing this big white animal amongst black and red Angus cattle, wondering what in the world is a white yak doing there. Dowa got to hang out with the beef animals in the summer and the mama cows in the winter until they started calving the spring. Dowa’s publicity got so much attention that he even was the cover boy for the North Fork Visitors Guide too!

However, deep down we all knew that Dowa needed to live with others of his kind. That is when our friend Erin, said that she would be willing to have this special big oaf live with her herd of 8 yaks. Which wasn’t too far from the Houseweart’s ranch, outside the town of Hotchkiss and so finally he did at last.

Tears of joy and hugs were given in celebration on that special day on May 17, 2021, witnessing yak reunion when we watched him unload from that trailer into his new digs. Even though he could hear the grunts of unfamiliar yaks, all was calm when he got out, while the humans gave him plenty of space. Then what blew everyone’s mind next was that right after Dowa and the other 8 yaks introduced each other, the eight started following him right away! He was large and in charge already after he got accepted by the herd’s matriarch. Dowa was finally home with his own kind, a pond to cool off in, and more humans that loved him too. That lasted until yesterday…

I got a text from Erin Wednesday morning saying that they couldn’t find Dowa. Didn’t think much of it because I thought she was asking if I found someone to buy hay from as that was part of my contribution to his winter care. However, she said they couldn’t find him this morning. Right away I knew that isn’t like him at all but how in the world can a creature of his sheer size just disappear? As soon as I got home from work at Western Culture, my father and my dear friend Sabrina blasted down to Hotchkiss for a potential wild yak chase. Despite that, I got a phone call from Teighlor just as we were pulling into town, with the heartbreaking news. Sadly, it was determined before we arrived at their farm that my special beast had found his final rest the night before in a grove of some willows.

Dowa was magnificent, powerful, calm, silly, and kind. I have so many memories of him, from our first days in the world to the very last moments I spent time with him. Very much like his owner, Dowa made everyone smile. I know everyone who met him in person, through my posts or stories about him and also cherished Dowa memories of their own.

He will live forever in our hearts. If anyone wants to comment below and share your own personal experiences of Dowa, I would so appreciate that.

10/09/2020

We here at Yaks Matter, we prioritize everyone’s health and safety due to the current COVID-19 situation. As this situation develops, we will continue take proactive steps to continue operate safely and effectively.

Therefore, due to the pandemic, it breaks our hearts to say that Yaks 101 Tours will not happen until further notice for the safety of both humans and yaks.

We are wishing you all the very best during this time. Thank you for understanding.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

24/07/2020

“We must use our time and our space on this little planet that we call Earth to make a lasting contribution, to leave it a little better than we found it, and now that need is greater than ever before." - John Lewis

28/06/2020

Maisa the Yak Unexpected Death DIAGNOSIS UPDATE:

As you some of you remember a couple of weeks ago we had an unexpected death of one of our favorite herd members at Yaks 101 Tours and Yaks Matter. Finally, after waiting anxiously and feeling emotional...we got the results back.

The diagnosis of Maisa’s sudden unexpected passing is as Shannon said in a comment on my memorial post on June 6th, “It is hard for me to feel responsible for the loss of a kindred spirit. The positive side is that maybe we can use the lab results from Meisa's liver analysis to help me help the rest of her yak family have healthier happier lives. The results showed critically low copper levels and high selenium. I am currently working with the CSU lab and Delta Grain Elevator on a new mineral supplement plan and sending in more of the herd's stool samples. Any recommendations from you could be helpful and appreciated too! Thank you for your sympathies and concerns.”

Just some final thoughts for Maisa. Her silly wiliness made her an outstanding ambassador for yaks and a great friend to humans too, and she left a trail of grinning humans wherever he went. Especially, if she was in a very loving mood if someone rubbed her brisket and she would literally fall over and grunt with enjoyment. Much like her grandfather Sanjaygawa used to do too.

Maisa made sure you couldn’t ignore her even during she got the wi***es. And looking back through some of the favorite pictures now, I can almost imagine that, with every photo-bomb into the frame of someone’s captured moment during Yaks 101 Tours, she was making sure none of us could ever forget her.

Life for her was straightforward, simple, and kind, and she too was all of those things. Rest in Peace dear yak friend, we won’t ever forget you.

06/06/2020

The first time I saw Maisa was at her mother’s side 3 years ago out in one of the pastures and even from the beginning she lived largely. As Maisa grew bigger so did her personality. A grandcalf to Tilly W***y, a daughter to Winter Noel, much like her maternal kin on that side of Butte Pasture Ranch’s main herd, she became extremely friendly but a bit jumpy at times, getting the “wi***es” whenever she felt a strong feeling of nervous apprehension and discomfort.

Socially awkward, diminutive but big personality in a small yak package. Maisa started out to be a loner in the yak herd, until she met her half-sister, Solstice and once she told Solstice she was in charge of the duo relationship. They soon became two peas in a pod. Although they looked very similar in stature and have the same Trim coloration, their personalities and coat length, are polar opposites. Solstice is extremely sweet to her human friends most of all and Maisa is the more serious of the two being a little pushy, but still is, a people-loving one, except on her terms of course.

Maisa was close to her human friends who she grew up with most of all, almost preferring their company to that of her fellow bovines. Even getting jealous if Solstice was hogging all the attention and would push her away with her horns. At the sound of her name too, she would come running alongside Solstice, when people came to the ranch for Yaks 101 Tours becoming nicknamed “the greeters” after they presented “greeting” all visitors entering the ranch racing each other to see who would be the first to say hi!

Maisa’s enthusiasm for her human friends could be somewhat daunting during her terrible twos when she was almost 1,000 pounds but still thought she could play with us or tour guests like a calf. She would come running up to you, popping her head immediately and when she got the “wi***es” she would jump or shake her head. But as she got older, she became calmer, but it was wise to keep a safe petting distance from her in case she had one of these high-strung episodes.

She had all the qualities of being a good herd foundation yak in the realms of being easy to brush and handle in the field. Also having good fiber and in the future to become a proven breeding cow to carry on these traits to her many calves over the years. But sadly, a few days ago her lifeless body was found on the property. Where the herd appeared to be grieving because they lost an important member of the herd. Solstice, her “Soul Sister” since then has isolated herself from the herd, but time heals all wounds, and I hope her heart will find friendship with another yak someday.

We were blessed to have Maisa even for a short time and as Billy Joel says in his song, “Only the Good Die Young”, being only 3 years young. The thought of the ranch without her is nearly unbearable. She was such a huge part of this place, a friend who made her presence felt every day to her yak herd and to humans too. She was fun-loving, silly w***y, beautiful, and kind-hearted. I have so many memories of her, from his first days in the world, to now her to see her breathless body, and I know everyone who met her cherishes Maisa memories of their own during countless Yak 101 Tours.

She will live forever in our hearts, see you in another lifetime Maisa. You were just a yak but a good yak and you will be missed.

28/03/2020

Of course everyone’s favorite, Solstice, was very happy to see me! Pushing the other yaks aside for my attention.

28/03/2020

In times like this trying to socially distance with Yaks...well let’s say the herd other plans! 🐃 👨🏼‍🌾

31/08/2019

Talking Yak!

Shaggy icon, backbone of Tibetan culture, hardy pack animal—it’s hard to overstate the importance of the yak on the Tibetan Plateau.

Shaggy icon, backbone of Tibetan culture, hardy pack animal—it’s hard to overstate the importance of the yak on the Tibetan Plateau.

10/07/2019

This article came out in May 28th and this is my first time reading this. So I want to give a big thank you to Delta County Independent for writing this great article about our Yaks! Feel free to share far and wide.🐃 📰

If you think yaks are only found in the Himalayas, think again. Forty years ago yaks were virtually nonexistent in the United States but their numbers are climbing.

16/06/2019

In honor of Father’s Day, we’re celebrating bulls for their integral role in yak society at Butte Pasture Ranch.

Second ones in charge after the herd matriarch, these male leaders of yak herds help prepare the younger yaks for life. They are known as protectors of their herd, but they’re also nurturers. Bulls show great affection with their cows and patience with their young and teach calves the how-to of living the way of a yak. Sometimes play with their young and correct inappropriate behaviors.

Here is our previous head bull, Yangar taking an afternoon siesta with the cow, Nima and their son, Shiva sleeping in the middle for protection. Yangar, like many yak bulls, work to maintain herd cohesion by walking in behind the drove and — ever watchful and alert — placing themselves between their families and perceived threats.

12/06/2019

On Sunday the 9th of June, there was a big move that happened with one of the iconic members of the Butte Pasture Yak Ranch herd. For the past eight years, I was able to have my white “pasture pet” domestic Yak steer named Dowa that was boarded at Shannon Holder’s Butte Pasture Yak Ranch.

Due to some urgent personal circumstances at the ranch, this noble iconic beast who inspired me to do the little side job, Yaks 101 Tours, had to find a new place to live. Much to my dismay, quickly I sprung into action and reached out for help from neighboring ranches in the North Fork Valley. Unfortunately, ranches and or farms with herds of Yaks are not very numerous.

Just when I had almost had given up, I got an email confirmation from one ranch, by the name of Princess Beef, was the first to respond and say "We would be happy to board him." What made me decide this ranch to board Dowa, is that Princess Beef is not your ordinary beef cattle ranch. Family Raised on a Colorado Centennial Farm and since 1999, they have been 100% Grass-fed & Finished for their herd.

The Houseweart's family goal is to sustainably and holistically produce the best and healthiest beef and to conscientiously strive to improve the wellbeing and integrity of our animals and that of the environment where they are raised.

Not too shabby, for my big special love-able oaf right?

Here are some pictures of Dowa's Big Move to Princess Beef Ranch and thank you to the group of dedicated outstanding people who made this happen! Especially the Houseweart family to welcome him to live among their herd of grass-fed beef cattle.

From the images, you can be the judge, but Dowa looks very comfortable throughout the entire process and has a new loving family to dote on him when I am away to Canisius College and until the day comes I have my own Yak ranch too.

02/06/2019

He thought I said, "pet her back...not pet Dowa the Yak back!" 😂 🤚🏼 🐃

28/05/2019

Out mucking the corral this morning and which two members of the herd do I see hanging together side by side? No two other yaks but Solstice and Maisa.

Though they look very similar in stature and have the same coloration their personalities, coat length, are polar opposites. Solstice is extremely sweet no matter what and Maisa is the more serious of the two being a little pushy, but still is, a people loving one.

On the left is Maisa who is an Imperial: Black with a Black Nose. On the right is Solstice Tibetan Black: Black with a Gray nose.

Both of them do share the same coloration called Trim: A solid base coat with a white trim usually on the forehead, feet, and tip of the tail.

These two have become soul sisters and who click on every level imaginable; who can talk about EVERYTHING from gorgeous foreign bulls (or lack thereof) to existentialism.

Who reminisce, learn, dance, sing, complain, celebrate, play and dream together. Who will forever believe that they were born together, (by having the same biological father) and somehow separated at birth only to be brought together by different birthdates with both thier mother's that live in the same herd.

Where small talk doesn't exist and it's all about BIG talk. Soulsisters are forever yin and yang. From the very first breath to the very last.

That is the special relationship between Solstice and Maisa, together forever until the end of time. 🖤🖤

25/05/2019

Now is the time to for Spring “Yak Fiber” harvesting and Dowa is sooo ready to be brushed!

According to USYAKS yak fiber is...

“Yak Fiber is the hair that is collected from yak when they shed their winter coats. Yak have three fiber types, which consist of guard hair, mid coat, and undercoat.

The soft fine fiber that makes up a yaks undercoat is referred to “down”. This is the fiber that is most valuable and is comparable to cashmere and merino wool.

Down is used to make yarn intended for contact with skin due to it’s softness. The mid coat is a little more course than yak down, this can still be used to make items that are not intended for skin contact such as shawls, vests, or rugs.

The guard hair is the most course and also the strongest. While not commonly used in the U.S., the Tibetan nomads use guard hair to make ropes, saddlebags, tents and more with the guard hair.”

Time to get the brushes and hands ready for my big favorite oaf to brush his fiber out. 💇🏼‍♂️

16/05/2019

Only back home in Colorado less than 24 hours and already invited to be an educator 👨🏼‍🏫 for “Yak Field Day” for the Montessori school at Crawford. Can you guess who was the first member of the 20+ herd to greet me after not seeing each other for five months? I will give you a hint 😉...her name comes from after the longest day of the year. 💗

12/05/2019

Yak cows always know when to intervene when calves play too rough. They know how to set rules, boundaries, and limitations with their own offspring and and others too. Although calves learn etiquette from all the cows, including the lead matriarch, and bulls too in their herd, mothers of all species give nourishment and protection. And a bond that only a mother can provide.

21/12/2018

Yes, we groom our yaks before their model photo jams.

OK, OK. No, we don’t. Dowa and his half-sister Nima are just gorgeous that way.

Happy winter solstice everyone! Dances for more snow would be appreciated. ❄️

22/11/2018

Pause to remember all that for which we are grateful.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Amber Photography

09/11/2018

Dear June Bug, my view of the world would not be so beautiful if I didn't share it with you.

29/10/2018

The good thing about it being such a wet fall is that the grass is still deliciously sweet and green even at the end of October!

26/10/2018

Took our pack Yaks up high today for training and getting the most out of the last of our fall leaves. 🐃 🍂 🏔 🍁 🤠

08/10/2018

The coolness in temperature has finally come to Colorado. The yaks are ranging farther to investigate of ungrazed grasses, feeding for longer hours, and laying on much needed fat for winter. This accumulation of subcutaneous fat helps with heat conservation and provides an energy reserve during the winter months when hay is the only option for forage.

13/09/2018

22/07/2018

Sorry for the lengthy in-depth post, but I guess it is time to tell everyone the UPDATE of the recent diagnosis of the death of Te Fiti, Solstice's special white heifer calf who unexpectedly passed away a couple weeks ago.

I have decided to share this story first for a reason, I need to share it so I can then hopefully move on. Looking to the future much like her mother and the rest of the herd has.

The ranch's Veterinarian sent a liver sample to the lab and found out that the Te Fiti's symptoms were low fat and dehydration. No bruising and no broken bones, so she wasn't trampled by the big bulls during a sparring match. The people at the lab also found Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Toxicity...which means that she was poisoned from a toxic plant.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are highly toxic, defensive chemicals that are found in numerous “pasture” plants and places animals at risk for acute and chronic sickness, irreversible organ damage and even death if ingested.

Interestingly the culprit wasn't even the whorled milkw**d, but another plant that is yet to be determined. The whorled milkw**d is the one we were assuming that may have caused her demise that is in certain areas on the ranch. Shannon has contacted a w**d specialist to come out to the ranch and to identify toxic w**ds and methods to control them, so we don't lose another beautiful yak from eating a poisonous plant.

We don’t know what happened or why it happened so quickly. I do know that despite all the pain that she endured, she seemed to continue to be strong true to her yak nature until the last of her days it seemed.

And so, that is little Te Fiti’s story and we will never forget her. Perhaps little Te Fiti you will get another chance to do it over again someday and perhaps the outcome will be better.

17/07/2018

Sometimes as you wind down for a Monday evening feeling like you need to stare at a picture of a yak calf. What? That doesn't happen to you? 😂 ❤️ 🐃

14/07/2018

How many people does it take to help a special needs Yak calf with mobility issues? Four to be exact! So a few days ago the ranch’s DVM, Dr. Susie Hirsch came out to help with Genghis. She trimmed his front hooves and gave the calf an IV shot of Tetracycline. She also told not to wrap his feet just yet and needed to walk out on his own. She also suggested to do some physical therapy by stretching the lax tendons several times a day. Little Genghis Khaan seemed to enjoy the extra attention and of course now the biggest thing is make sure he is nursing and still moving around. Another day well spent at the ranch and thanks Dr. Susie!

03/07/2018

I have been wondering how to write this post. It has been especially difficult for me to write the words that hurt my heart to share with you all mournful news. It is with great sadness I must report that Yaks 101 Tours & Yaks Matter has lost our special pretty white calf Te Fiti.

She was born to Solstice on May 27, a new life to a 2-year-old inexperienced heifer. This calf was able to nurse and receive the life-giving colostrum and her new mom cleaned up the area of her birth.

Last Friday I had seen her playing with her half-siblings and getting stronger, wiser and more beautiful. Sadly, the little calf passed away the next day it seems. As Shannon found her laying in the field and with her mom Solstice standing near. I have no doubt that Solstice has silently mourned the loss of her first-born calf.

As of now, her body is at the Veterinarian for an autopsy until we know for sure what caused her unexpected death. I hope she did not suffer for long. There is a probability that she had nibbled on some toxic Whirled Milkw**d, mistaking it for tender grass and was poisoned. Another one is that she could have been trampled during a conflict between the two bulls currently in the herd, Yangar, and Sabu. This is something that might happen more often then we see.

Whatever the cause, how could something so perfect and strong have a turn in their short life that makes them lose everything in just a few short months?

No matter the cause of death, (will let everyone know once we know), Te Fiti you captured our hearts and will always be remembered.

Our thoughts are with your dear mother Solstice and the rest of the herd. You will always be a part of Butte Pasture Yak Ranch…rest in peace little one. You will be missed

01/07/2018

For animals such as yaks, it's often up to mom to teach their young how to survive and use their instincts wisely. Genghis might be walking slower than a normal calf due to his current condition, but his experienced mom, Myrtle, will not abandon him. Often following where he goes and making sure he is right next to her. 💗

26/06/2018

Well after months, weeks, days...Myrtle the matriarch of Yaks 101 Tours & Yaks Matter has had her calf, a little copper colored bull by the name of Genghis (or Chinggis) Khan. This special boy has big hooves to fill. He is named after the "universal ruler" which was adopted by the Mongol Empire founder Temujin in the late 12th century. Now to add why this guy is special part two is that he is he is to be Myrtle’s last calf. At age 15, it is time for Myrtle to retire from carrying and producing Yak calves for us...as she has had a calf born every year until she was two years old herself. So without a further ado enjoy the short the two pictures. If anyone wants to meet this special mother and son let me know, as they are kept separate from the rest of the herd until Genghis develops strength in his front legs. Tashi Deley! 🐃💗🐃