Cowboy Life

Russell Dilday talks about his life as a California cowboy before he became a successful cow horse trainer. Both sides of his family have deep ranching roots on the West Coast. Dilday followed suit, taking care of yearlings throughout the state and chasing wild cattle in Australia. His adventures include riding rank horses that bucked and kicked, catching bulls that tried to kill him, and working with characters who displayed old-school grit and toughness. He also recalls learning from legendary horseman Greg Ward. After he began training cow horses full-time, he won the World's Greatest Horseman award three times. Today, he trains horses in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and still runs cattle with his wife, Tanna, and their two sons.

James Gholson has earned immense respect as a horseman and as the longtime wagon boss for the Pitchfork Ranch. He began working for the legendary West Texas outfit when he was 13, and then he cowboyed for other cattle operations before returning to "The Forks." Here, he discusses working for Pitchfork manager Bob Moorhouse, leading the cowboy crew, staying out with the wagon, and getting into all sorts of wrecks. Gholson now lives in Waurika, Oklahoma, with June, his wife of 50-plus years. Special thanks goes to our sponsor, the RA Brown Ranch and its annual Bull, Female and Quarter Horse Sale visit rabrownranch.com

Bob Moorhouse worked for Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co. for four decades, and for most of his tenure he directed the historic West Texas ranch as general manager and vice president. Established in 1883, "The Forks" is located 80 miles east of Lubbock and stretches across 170,000 acres of both open rolling plains and brushy river breaks. Moorhouse was raised nearby and then built a career as a respected cowboy, horseman, rancher and manager. He turned the spotlight on cowboy life with his camera, packing it along as he covered thousands of miles horseback and publishing his photos in The Cattleman, Field & Stream, Quarter Horse Journal, Texas Highways and Western Horseman, as well as in his coffee table book, Pitchfork Country, published in 2000. Moorhouse has continued to make an impact on the cowboy world as a director for organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Association, Ranch Horse Association of America and the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. He and Linda, his wife of 53 years, now live in…

Buster McLaury figures he has started nearly 10,000 colts under saddle. Before becoming a full-time trainer and clinician, he cowboyed in the thick brush country of West Texas. He says there's nothing he loves more than working cattle horseback, and for many years he made a living working for legendary outfits such as the Four Sixes, the Triangle and the JA. However, his career shifted about 30 years ago when he began training horses for ranches such as the Moorhouse and Pitchfork. He also began teaching horsemanship clinics, inspired by gentler methods he learned from renowned horseman Ray Hunt. McLaury and his wife, Sheryl, have traveled throughout the country and hosted many horsemanship clinics at their home in Paducah, Texas. They have started colts for legendary ranches such as the Haythorn in Nebraska, the Muleshoe in Texas, the Parker in Hawaii, the Stuart in Oklahoma, and the Waggoner in Texas. Today, McLaury continues to start colts, teach horsemanship, and work cattle whenever he gets the chance.…

Mark Gardiner and his family raise Black Angus bulls near Ashland, Kansas. Their operation began as a dugout built in 1885 on a 160-acre homestead, and it has grown to a 48,000-acre ranch on the remote plains of Clark County. As a leading seedstock producer, the operation depends on technology, scientific innovation and marketing strategy. However, the Gardiners keep things cowboy, gathering and checking cattle horseback, long-trotting through vast pastures, and sorting bulls from the saddle. Like many ranches, Gardiner Angus is no stranger to natural disasters such as hailstorms, tornados, drought and wildfires. Mark recounts a devastating wildfire that burned most of the ranch in 2017. This conversation was recorded shortly before another massive fire consumed their land in February 2026. Through it all, Mark leans on family, his faith, a love for the land, and gratitude to work daily with cattle and horses.

Nick Dowers has never strayed from his cowboy roots. Although he has found success showing reined cow horses, he continues to run cattle in the desert country surrounding his home in western Nevada. Sometimes riding his show horses, and sometimes riding his mule, Sargento, Dowers manages a cow-calf herd in an arid and expansive landscape. The job also involves tracking, roping and tying down wild cattle in the rocky and brushy hillsides between Dyer and Elida, Nevada. No doubt, the trainer stays busy running cattle, hosting horsemanship clinics, and competing in reined cow horse competition. He won the National Reined Cow Horse Association's prestigious Snaffle Bit Futurity in 2013 on Time For The Diamond and has earned more than $1.7 million in the arena. He has also claimed multiple championships at Road to the Horse, the premier colt-starting competition held in Lexington, Kentucky. Dowers' ranch and training facility is located where he grew up, on his family's Triple D Ranches. Along with being raised…

Joe Glascock manages the historic Winecup Gamble Ranch, a 1.2-million-acre buckaroo outfit in northeast Nevada. Established in the Thousand Springs Valley shortly after the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in the area, the ranch features a combination of deeded land and government allotments that includes meadow pastures at 5,000 feet elevation, mountain ranges that climb to 8,700 feet and plenty of expansive, high desert ranges. Glascock, who hired on in 2020, shares the colorful history of the Winecup Gamble , which has been owned by the likes of Utah Construction Company, actor Jimmy Stewart, Paul Fireman of Reebok, and now Stan Kroenke, who also owns the Waggoner Ranch in Texas, the Gang and Douglas Lake in Canada, Singletons in New Mexico, and several other ranches throughout the West. Glascock also recounts his own background, which includes working for the Bureau of Land Management, studying at the King Ranch Institute in South Texas, and buckarooing on several Great Basin outfits. A special thanks to…

Tucker Brown, Crockett Carothers, Tripp Townsend and Ross Hecox get together to discuss ranching, podcasting, cowboy codes and running a business in the Western world. This unique episode brings together three podcast hosts – Brown of Registered Ranching, Carothers of the Wealthy Cowboy, and Hecox of Cowboy Life. Townsend, a successful horseman and cattleman, adds his own wisdom and experiences to the mix. Recorded in Amarillo, Texas, during the Working Ranch Cowboys Association's 30thAnnual World Championship Ranch Rodeo, the conversation was arranged and sponsored by 100th Meridian Ranching (100thmeridianranching.com), a bull leasing company serving ranchers throughout the nation.

Martin Black discusses ranching, horsemanship and making a living in the southwestern corner of Idaho. The lifelong horseman has deep roots in the region, as both sides of his family settled in Owyhee County more than 150 years ago and raised and sold thousands of horses to ranchers and buckaroo outfits throughout the Great Basin. Black himself ran cattle and trained horses for many years before he began conducting horsemanship clinics, a livelihood pioneered by his former father-in-law, Ray Hunt. Black's reputation as a teacher of practical horsemanship skills has taken him throughout the United States and into Australia, Brazil and Europe. In addition to working as a rancher and clinician, he has competed successfully in colt starting competitions, won major ranch horse events, claimed a Ranch Horse Association of American National Championship, and started multiple performance horses that went on to win titles in cutting and reined cow horse. He has also released several DVDs, written numerous articles…

Don Murphy is well-known as an elite cow horse trainer, however his roots reach down into the ranching culture of the West Coast. Before training and showing was a sustainable business, he was cowboying in the steep hills of Northern California and embracing the traditions of vaquero horsemanship. His grandfather, Thomas Murphy, homesteaded near Mount Diablo and established a cattle ranch in 1873. Don Murphy was raised in the steep foothills, checking on cows and calves, roping steers and breaking colts. He was also learning the finer points of riding in the hackamore, two-rein and spade bit. After a few years in college and a short stint in the U.S. Army, he began working horses full-time during the late 1960s. As the reined cow horse industry grew, he trained and showed standouts such as Black Hawk Willie, RS Lilly Starlight and Bald N Shiney. During a career that spanned five decades, he trained 23 AQHA world and reserve world champions. He is also respected as a successful coach, helping both amateur…

Red Steagall has sung the praises of cowboys and the ranching way of life for decades. As a musician, songwriter, cowboy poet and radio and television personality, his pursuits as an entertainer consistently shine the spotlight on America's Western heritage. He is the official Cowboy Poet of Texas, hosts the TV show "Somewhere West of Wall Street," and continues to perform his Western music across the country. His passion for preserving the Western lifestyle can be seen in the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, his new book, Texas Red, and the soon-to-be-built Red Steagall Institute for Traditional Western Arts. For many years he joined the cowboy crews of the Four Sixes Ranch and the JA Ranch during spring works, which continued to inspire his poetry and songwriting. Here, he shares his story, which reveals the same type of perseverance, determination and work ethic that have shaped the American West. Thanks to our sponsors, the RA Brown Ranch October Sale, the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, and Farm & Ranch…

Gary Morton has spent a lifetime working on cattle outfits throughout the West, most notably the legendary Bell Ranch in New Mexico. He also has established himself as a respected Western artist, painting scenes of working cowboys and beautiful landscapes of the American West (visit garymortonart.com). As a founding member and current board member of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, Morton has helped promote and preserve the ranching lifestyle for decades. Recently, he contributed to a new audio book, I'll Drop You Off, which is a Christian devotional written by Kris Wilson. Learn more by sending an email to illdropyouoff40@gmail.com, or shop online at amazon.com More Information on the Bell Ranch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Ranch

Jeff Williams has been starting colts for big ranches for four decades. Some of those outfits have included the Beggs, Haythorn, King, Muleshoe and Spades. Williams started out as a cowboy on various West Texas ranches, but it didn't take long for him to discover that starting colts was his passion. He has continued to day-work on cow-calf operations, and he has competed in roping and ranch horse events. However, starting colts under saddle is his focus, and many ranches trust him to put a solid foundation on their youngsters and train select prospects for elite ranch production sales. The Post, Texas, horseman has also influenced countless young men and women who have worked for him, and he has judged at numerous ranch horse shows, ranch rodeos, and colt starting competitions such as Road to the Horse.

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…

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…

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.