Posts Tagged ‘ranch life’

The Cowboy And His Horse

November 7, 2017
Jolyn Young

The horses a working cowboy rides probably have more impact on his daily happiness than any other aspect of ranch life. A good cowboy carefully notes everything about his string of horses – their ages, level of training, physical size, length of stride, temperament, willingness to work, and surefootedness. He selects a horse for each […]

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 […]

Shipping Calves

October 13, 2017
Tiffany Schwenke

Shipping calves is the accumulation of the last year’s work. Over the last year ranchers have experienced sleepless nights, stressful situations, sickness, death, the miracle of life, moments of triumphs, and close calls. They have felt every emotion possible. They have done research. They have spent time caring for, feeding, and doctoring these calves. They […]

Cowboy Life In Black And White

July 29, 2017
Jolyn Young

Today’s cowboy may use cell phones and transport livestock via stock trailers rather than undertaking multi-state cattle drives, but many aspects of their lifestyle haven’t changed over the centuries. Then as now, cowboys wear felt hats, ride leather saddles and rope bovines every day. If it’s raining, they get wet. If it’s snowing, they get […]

Cowboy Skills: Reading Tracks

July 16, 2017
Jolyn Young

Reading tracks is an important skill for a working cowboy, right up there with doctoring calves and learning how to avoid driving a tractor. When a cowboy is checking his cattle and finds an open gate, he needs to be able to tell if any cattle passed through it. Chances are, he won’t see any […]

Wildfire Season: Are You Prepared?

July 6, 2017
Jolyn Young

If a wildfire strikes near your home, what will you do? If your answer is “I have no idea,” then it’s high time you started getting an idea. July is here, and it’s a hot month that typically brings thunder storms – and subsequently lightning strikes – to many parts of America. Despite Smokey Bear’s […]

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 […]

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 […]