Posts Tagged ‘Jolyn Young’

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Summer Cow Camp 101: Working Alone

August 17, 2018
Jolyn Young

On many ranches in the American West, cowboys head up to a cow camp, usually located in a higher elevation than the ranch headquarters, for the summer. In Summer Cow Camp 101: Living Situation, I gave a guided tour of a typical summer cow camp. Once a cowboy is settled into his secluded home-away-from-civilization, he takes […]


Stylish Spur Selection

October 24, 2017
Jolyn Young

I’ve been photographing cowpunchers for almost a year now, and I finally found something flashy and ornamental in their gear: their spurs! I had to look long, hard, and just above ground level, but it appears these guys wear their fancy on their feet. These spurs were spotted at a fall branding on a northern […]


Wagon Camp Visit

October 17, 2017
Jolyn Young

Here at the O RO Ranch in northern Arizona, it’s fall time. Wait, it’s fall time everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. I mean that since it’s fall time, it’s also fall wagon time here at the ROs. Yikes. That was an unexpectedly difficult thought to express. The ROs is one of the last few ranches […]


War Knot Series, Part One: Mustache Knot

July 31, 2017
Jolyn Young

Here’s the first installment in a four-part series on tying a war knot or buckaroo knot in a horse’s tail. Buckaroo traditions were handed down from the California vaqueros, who learned their skills and customs from the Spanish conquistadors. In keeping with tradition, many modern-day buckaroos tie a knot in their horse’s tail each day […]


Cowpuncher Skill: Trailing The Cut

June 29, 2017
Jolyn Young

At the O RO Ranch in northern Arizona, the cow herd that resides on the west side is never moved. I mean, like, NEVER. The cows winter and calve outside, and natural boundaries are the primary method used to keep the cattle where they’re supposed to be. There are some fences, but the cattle aren’t […]


Horsewoman, Know Thyself

June 25, 2017
Jolyn Young

“Who do you think you are, Clint Eastwood?” I stopped walking across the round pen toward the stud colt I was starting and looked up at Ben. “What?” “You’re walking like you’re all big and tough,” the horse trainer replied. I hadn’t realized that I had drawn myself up to my full height (5’5″ with […]


Launch Pad To Oprah: Horse Names

June 21, 2017
Jolyn Young

Horse owners come up with some creative names for their horses, and cowboys may take the prize for the zaniest monikers for their equine companions. Here are some of the most unusual and least politically correct horse names in the Western United States.* Launch Pad: Preparing to step on this horse must’ve been a tad […]


Summer Horse Gear

June 16, 2017
Jolyn Young

With summer on the horizon, it’s hot. The DJ on the radio station says it’s hot. The thermometer in the front yard says it’s hot. The meteorologist on the evening news says it’s hot. But even though it’s hot, a horse person has got to ride, right? Don’t let the heat beat your summer riding […]


No Trailer? No Problem!

June 10, 2017
Jolyn Young

At the O RO Ranch in northern Arizona, the cowboys rarely use a horse trailer. In country so steep, rocky and rough that it can take an hour to drive an unhooked pickup 10 miles, it’s more practical and efficient to just ride from Point A to Wherever The Cows Are. During most of the […]


New Sand, Old Rodeo Fun in Montague, California

June 6, 2017
Jolyn Young

I recently went to my hometown junior rodeo for the first time in over a decade, and all anyone could talk about was dirt. The Shasta Valley Community Club had improved the local riding arena with store-bought sand, and it was a BIG deal to the residents of Montague, California. And rightfully so. 15 years […]


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