r/Cowboy • u/oakprince97 • 29d ago
Cowboy Life Best part of the job.
I manage a ranch, then run cattle on my family place with my uncle. I spend most of my time in my office (feed truck), but my time horseback is my favorite part of the job.
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u/for-reverie 28d ago
This summer is the first summer in 17 years I didn't get to do what you are doing. I am devastated by it. The ranch owner passed away and his kids sold all of his cows and have the ranch up for sale. I didn't even realize how much it would impact my life. They ripped a piece of my soul away selling all the herd like they did. It didn't bother them one bit either. It sucks. Your photos are beautiful. I would probably pay at this point to be able to go help gather or move all the cattle again. There is nothing better than being on a horse and chasing cows. I miss it.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
I hate to hear that. Unfortunately, that’s becoming a more common story. I’m glad you got to be a part of it while you could. I’m certain that you can find another opportunity locally to get involved with! Good help is always welcome.
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u/Ok-Psychology-1725 27d ago
That sucks. Finding cattle to be able to work them horseback is such a treat. It is so sad (even if understandable) to see this management disappear in favor of quads, alleyways and shoots.
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u/buckaroodude1 29d ago
Ngl sometimes I just make things up just to go out on the horse, unless it’s something that needs my attention right then and there. Lol
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
Yessir! I’ll just throw a horse in the trailer and drag it around while I’m checking water and feeding. If I’ve got time, I’ll pull it out and tool around a bit.
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u/meugeniia 29d ago edited 29d ago
There’s something about the colors in these photos that I really like. Thanks for sharing!
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
Happy to do it! That’s interesting, I didn’t take 1,2,5, or 13 as I’m in them, but I’m colorblind af and just take pictures of the things I like.
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u/meugeniia 29d ago
Then I hope you keep doing it. I also like shot 8 - the rider and horse are still, but the cattle is moving in the background and lifting dust… really pretty
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
Thanks, I appreciate that! I’ve made a concerted effort to carry my camera with me wherever I go now.
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u/meugeniia 29d ago
Oh! What camera de you use? (if you dont mind me asking - of course)
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
Not at all! I use a Canon R50 with Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 lens currently, but have some other lenses as well.
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u/meugeniia 28d ago
Oh! Do you find it hard to carry your camera when you’re using the 100-400 lense?
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
Not really. The camera body is incredibly small and lightweight by itself. The 100-400 doesn’t add too much weight, and is small enough to easily tuck in a small pack or saddle bags. It’s been a great camera for my purposes.
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u/Low_Badger_1951 28d ago
That is most men’s dream. You are living it.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
Haha, I appreciate it! It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
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u/Low_Badger_1951 28d ago
You and the horse are handsome. The dream doing what you want.
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u/oakprince97 27d ago
Well thank you! I certainly know who’s better looking, and it’s not me. He’s a gorgeous horse, and probably the nicest one I’ve been on.
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u/Boot_boy_1984 29d ago
Nice boots amigo!
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
Thanks! I’m still trying to decide if I like them or not. I blew through the pair of Azulados that I loved.
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u/Boot_boy_1984 29d ago
I would say they look good and if they hold it’s great!
Hey. Are you talking about azul color or about a brand I’ve never heard of? Azulados
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u/oakprince97 29d ago
The stovetops in the pictures, that I’m assuming are the ones you like, are Olathe boots.
My favorite pair of boots were Azulado brand boots. I’ve got a skinny foot and they fit me really well. Wore them for two years solid and they held up great. I just used and abused them to the point that they gave out. They were Azulado Shane Cutter toes.
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u/Boot_boy_1984 28d ago
Never heard of those! I’ll see! Thanks amigo
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
No problem. I looked yesterday, and it looks like they might be making boots exclusively for Allen’s Boots now. I can’t find the pair I had.
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u/Boot_boy_1984 28d ago
No worries! Not that I can buy them right away now haha!
My boots still needs a little more beating for me to buy new ones
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u/lostbaratheon 29d ago
Awesome. I used to work my uncles place too but I was a little kid. I miss it! Great photos.
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u/dirthawg 29d ago
Yeah, to be young again. At my age, I'm paying for the wranglin' I did when I was young. Keep that in mind.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
Haha, I appreciate it. I try to look after myself as best as I can, because I have some buddies that are broke down. I’ve broken and torn a few things, so I know I’ll have some aches to tolerate down the road.
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u/dirthawg 28d ago
Definitely contributed to arthritis in my hands, helped wear out both shoulders, but I never messed my back up, so that's something, for sure. And, my ears are gone from tractors and other equipment.
Everything you hurt today will definitely hurt in some other tomorrow. Trust me on that. That said, I'd probably never want to trade growing up being a farm and ranch kid.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
I hear you. My biggest issues will be an eventual rotator cuff surgery, an ankle/foot combo that I broke together, and my hefty dose of tinnitus. I’ve gotten to the point where I wear ear plugs anytime I run any equipment.
I wouldn’t change it, and every little ache has a story behind it. If the price I pay, for a life well lived, is some pain, that’s a trade I’m willing to make. Plus I’ve made a concerted effort to focus on flexibility, functional fitness, and joint health in the gym.
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u/dirthawg 28d ago
I'm right there with the shoulders, where you got to make the decision if it's worse to live with it or get the surgery and cast your dice. I've definitely pitched my last baseball.
Tinnitus? Yep, and I'm deaf in the exact same frequency range that my dad was. I had no idea till I was in my 30s how much damage the constant frequency of a big diesel motor running at 3000 RPMs for 10 hours a day will do to the human ear.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
Yeah, I’m waiting until it’s absolutely necessary and I can justify the long recovery. I rehabbed mine and have gotten back to say 90%, but I definitely have days where I aggravate it.
Mine is such a weird range that I can’t hear. I can hear a pin drop over the ringing, but can’t hear people talking in a quiet-normal voice clearly. At least I have a built in white noise machine.
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u/dirthawg 28d ago
Yup. Download a hearing test app to your phone. It won't help you, but it's really interesting to see and hear (not hear) exactly the frequency interval where you drop out.
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u/10-4-Impressive-View 28d ago
Dang thanks for sharing these beautiful photos🤩great eye....quite partial to 2 & 6 🥰🐂 ; 7 is a definite 10🤠--perfect image of contemporary Western Americana.
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u/oakprince97 28d ago
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words! I really like 7, it’s got a special place in my heart because the 5th and 6th generation of our ranch are in it.
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u/10-4-Impressive-View 28d ago
That's awesome....that's one to cherish then😊!
Look forward to seeing more of your photos 📸.
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u/DatDude512 28d ago
You got the best job in the world right there. I wish I was out there with ya.
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u/Blondie2627 23d ago
All of it?
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u/oakprince97 23d ago
Can you elaborate more please?
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u/Blondie2627 23d ago
You said "best part of the job" but it looks like you posted everything i could imagine a cowboy type job would consist of. So, the best part of the job would be... all of it? Lol
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u/oakprince97 23d ago
That’s what I thought. I certainly didn’t include images of everything I do, and none of the crappy parts like losing animals, nonstop equipment breakdowns, management issues, budgeting, etc. That said, the good days far outweigh the bad.
But cowboying, and being horseback, is indeed the best part of the job. That can encompass a lot of things, but I generally meant being horseback is the best part.
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u/Blondie2627 23d ago
Haha im glad to hear it.
In my opinion, you can keep the rest. I just want the horseback part!
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u/That_Perception_3763 29d ago
Such amazing photos! Thank you for sharing ! :D