Cowboy Life

At age 92, Boots O'Neal still gets horseback every day. The longtime Four Sixes Ranch cowboy was raised in West Texas and started working at age 15 in 1947. He has since hired on with legendary outfits such as the JA Ranch, Matador, Waggoner, Babbitts and now the Sixes. Despite encountering his share of broncy horses, snorty cows, merciless droughts, severe winter storms and visits to the emergency room — a couple of them recently — he has never wavered from his chosen occupation. He received the Working Cowboy Award from the National Ranching Heritage Center in 2018 and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2023.

The devastating Smokehouse Creek Fire in 2024 scorched many family ranches in the Texas Panhandle, including an operation run by Jason Pelham. Despite dealing with many natural disasters, the longtime cowboy and rancher has remained devoted to the cowboy life for four decades. Pelham wasn't raised on a ranch, but he stepped into the cattle business as a young man. He worked on the famous Spade Ranches for many years, but now he runs cows with his daughter and son-in-law. Here, he discusses wildfires, freezing weather, great horses, and impressive people who have shaped his life.   Special thanks to our sponsor, RA Brown Ranch and its Rancher's Rendezvous event in March.   https://www.rabrownranch.com/upcoming-sale    

Steve Friskup has watched ranch horses skyrocket in value during the past few years, playing a crucial role as the auctioneer at the most elite sales in the Western industry. In addition to working at prestigious auctions such as the Western Heritage Classic and Return to the Remuda, he is the CEO for Clovis Horse Sales in Levelland, Texas, a sale that attracts consignments from many cowboys and ranchers. Friskup also auctioneers at National Cutting Horse Association event sales. Swinging a gavel and selling horses has been his passion since he was a teenager growing up in Oklahoma, and today he is regarded as the top auctioneer in the Western performance horse industry. He also commands a large following on social media through his “Coffee with the Colonel” videos, which are viewed by thousands of Facebook users five times a week.

Donnell Brown mixes modern technology with deep-rooted ranching history on his family's cattle operation in Throckmorton, Texas. The RA Brown Ranch is widely respected for its leading Angus genetics, world-class bull sales, champion Quarter Horses and close family ties. Donnell explains how his family's rich history, innovative business endeavors and traditional values guide the Browns into the 21st century.    Sponsor Ag-Gear "Outerwear For The Toughest Days".  15% Discount code COWBOYLIFE www.aggear.com Along For The Ride Symboisim January 16, 17, 18  SouthPoint Hotel Las Vegas www.alongfortheride.pro 

Thomas Saunders V has left his mark on all arenas the cowboy lifestyle, working as a cattle rancher, colt starter, movie wrangler and stock contractor. His drive is fueled by the legacy left by generations of Saunders before him, who spearheaded cattle drives in the late 1800s, cultivated the early beef market in the Fort Worth Stockyards, and established a ranch in Weatherford, Texas, that still operates today. Great stories of the great western lifestyle photographer David Stoecklein getting his start shoting Texas Cowboys. Thank you Ranching Heritage Association  www.ranchingheritage.org  

Wild cow catcher Travis Ericsson describes the thrill of roping feral cattle in rugged country. It's a skill and a passion he inherited from his father, legendary Arizona cowpuncher Dave Ericsson. Travis' cowboy career also includes training rope horses, competing in rodeo and raising cattle in desert country. Broken Arrow Crop Insurance Perryton TX Jason Schickedanz (979) 229-1481

Ed Ashurst has cowboyed on the most iconic ranches in Arizona. His experiences working cattle in the mountains, deserts and along the Mexican border have inspired more than a dozen books, both fiction and nonfiction. He is also a working cowboy who has ridden and gathered cattle and horses on over seven thousand square miles of the American West, accumulating over fifty years of experience as a big ranch cowboy. He currently manages a large cattle ranch in southeastern Arizona. He has also been involved in producing rodeos and horse shows, as well as horse sales, and has competed in the rodeo arena for over fifty years. His books are about his life's experiences covering different aspects and scenes that race across his vivid memory and water a fertile imagination. All that he has written originates from stories that are well worn from being told many times. He believes that storytelling is an art form that is no less important than painting or sculpting, and people say that his books read as if the storyteller is there in person. Here is a list of books he was written in the order in which he wrote them: "Miracle or Coincidence," "Real Cowboys," "Wagon Boss," "Mavericks," "Alligators in the Moat," "The Life and Times of Warner Glenn," "Stealin' From The Neighbors," "Charlie Gould," "Stories That Terrell Shelley Told Me," "Mel Potter and Friends," "Kidnapped," and coming soon, "Some of Them Dallied, Some Tied Hard and Fast.”  If interested in Ed's books go to Amazon

John Welch says ranching is every bit as risky as snow-skiing down a steep, forest hillside. Nevertheless, he and his family have built a cattle operation from scratch, something few people can claim in this modern era. He shares his insights and experiences from his ranch headquarters in southeastern Colorado.

Jolyn Young shares her stories about the life of a cowboy – from the perspective of a real-life ranch wife. It turns out that being married to a cowboy takes just as much nerve and grit as chasing down a wild cow. Jolyn is known for her captivating and humorous stories, sharing them through her blog, a regular magazine column, and her newly released book, Never Burn Your Moving Boxes. Listeners interested in purchasing her 248-page book, a true story about her experiences as a cowboy's wife, can save 25% by visiting TrafalgarBooks.com or HorseandRiderBooks.com, and entering the code

Shannon Hall and Johnny Hill both learned the ropes of cowboying on the RO Ranch in the Texas Panhandle. Their baptism into the Western way of life included plenty of bronc rides and sticky predicaments. They shared those stories on stage in Amarillo, Texas, during the 2023 World Championship Ranch Rodeo, hosted by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.

Whitney Hall: A Passionate Cowgirl Whitney Hall, hailing from Loco, Oklahoma, is the dedicated manager of her family's cattle ranch. Her daily endeavors on horseback have not only made her a proficient participant in ranch rodeos and ranch horse competitions but also led her to secure the prestigious title of World's Greatest Horsewoman in 2022. Whitney's exceptional skills in the saddle set her apart in the competitive world of cow horse and ranch riding. Beyond the accolades and competitions, Whitney's heart lies with the well-being of the cows and calves under her care. Despite her remarkable achievements, she remains grounded in her commitment to nurturing and tending to the needs of the ranch's livestock. Whitney Hall exemplifies a true cowgirl whose passion extends beyond the thrill of competitions to the fundamental responsibility of stewarding the ranch's animals.  

Tim Cox is a renowned Western artist and an Arizona cowboy. He draws inspiration from his firsthand experience of the cowboy life, and his art primarily focuses on depicting authentic scenes of modern ranchers, horsemen, cowgirls, cattle, and horses. Over the years, Tim Cox has become one of the most recognizable Western artists in contemporary art. His early career was characterized by the rugged and demanding lifestyle of remote cow camps. Tim spent long days in the saddle, working on ranches, and his dedication to capturing the essence of the West led to late nights spent in front of his easel, translating his experiences onto canvas. Tim Cox's art is celebrated for its vivid portrayal of the Western way of life, showcasing the beauty of the land, the people, and the animals that inhabit it. His work resonates with those who appreciate the rich heritage and traditions of the American West. To explore Tim Cox's artwork and learn more about his contributions to Western art, you can visit his official website at Tim Cox Fine Art. Additionally, you can find his art available for sale at Gallery4Collectors.com and ElegantHorsePictures.com. Tim Cox also maintains a presence on social media, including Facebook, where you can stay updated on his latest creations and insights into the Western art world.

Tripp Townsend makes his living running  yearling calves near Earth, Texas. He and his crew care for them in a feedlot and on irrigated wheat pastures northwest of Lubbock. His line of work doesn't stop for bad weather or holidays, but it does include plenty of riding and roping in open country. 

Kevin Meyer's Wyoming ranch roots trace to his upbringing on a remote cow-calf operation in the southeastern part of the state. His horseback skills stem from a wide range of experiences, from wrangling on dude ranches to running yearlings in the Laramie Mountains, day-working on local cattle outfits, and managing Wagonhound Land & Livestock's horse program for several years. These days, his cowboy background guides his approach to training cow horses and teaching horsemanship clinics at his facility near Douglas, Wyoming. 

Kent LeDoux – Ranching in southern Louisiana means dealing with swamps, alligators, wild cattle and hurricanes. Swimming saddle horses across a canal designed for barges is a necessary part of gathering Perry Ridge. The climate, wildlife and environment are quite unique on the Gray Ranch, a cow-calf operation with strong ties to standout stallions such as Grays Starlight and Taris Catalyst. Kent LeDoux, who managed the ranch for more than 40 years, sheds light on cowboy life in cajun country.

Singleton Ranches encompasses 1.2 million acres, with the majority of its rangeland spread throughout New Mexico and other divisions situated in California. The operation is respected for its modern beef program and award-winning cow horses. Three of Singleton's managers, Alex Carone, Grant Mitchell and Greg Gudgell, sit down to discuss how the ranching lifestyle perpetuates family values and sound work ethic.     Sponsor Farm & Ranch Candle Co. Discount Code Cowboy 25% off https://farmandranchcandleco.com/

Jimbo Humphreys – The West Texas cowboy has excelled in nearly every facet of ranch life, from working cattle to cooking on the chuckwagon, building bits and spurs, training and showing horses, and now managing Guitar Ranches. Introduced to ranching at a young age, Jimbo Humphreys admits that he became a little jaded toward the lifestyle because of the rough way horses were handled and trained. But Ray Hunt's gentler and more considerate approach to horsemanship drew him back. He has pursued cowboy life from various angles, making a living by punching cows, cooking on chuckwagons, training horses, building fences and corrals, crafting bits and spurs, and managing a large cow-calf operation.

Terry Forst - Stuart Ranch Waurika OK Founded 1868 , maintaining 38,000 + Acres, 1995 AQHA Best Remade Winner, Terry Forst oversees the oldest family-owned and -operated ranch in Oklahoma with seven generations. Terry is a member of the Cowgirl Hall Of Fame. With an award-winning Quarter Horse program, natural beef, and abundant wildlife for hunting, the Stuart Ranch's staying power stems from hard work, innovation and close family ties. www.stuartranch.com

Nebraska rancher Craig Haythorn talks about cowboying in the Sandhills, putting up hay with teams, and enduring deadly blizzards. Grit, devotion and quality horseflesh have been keys to his family running their cow-calf operation for five generations.

To celebrate the holiday season, Shawn Williams recites his poem, “A Cowpuncher's Night Before Christmas.” The entertainer and “highly trained cowboy fashion reporter” goes on to share his stories of working on large, historic cattle outfits such as Pitchfork Land & Cattle in Texas, the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, and the O RO in Arizona.

Although Shannon Hall's early years were spent in an urban, broken home, fate reunited him with his cowboy father and drew him into ranch life. He made a name for himself training and competing on cutting horses at the highest level. NCHA Hall Of Fame Member, 1999 NCHA Open Futurity Champion. Hall has since built a large cow-calf operation, which he and his family own and operate in southern Oklahoma.

Legendary cowpuncher Tom Moorhouse shares his experiences growing up and working on ranches throughout West Texas. His cowboy stories describe life on the wagon, his family's ranching legacy, dealing with drought and the beginnings of ranch rodeo. He also details how the respected Great Basin horseman Ray Hunt introduced better training practices to old school Texas cowboys, and how that has improved horsemanship on today's ranches.