cowboy: Idaho Real Estate, “Riding for the Brand” - 09/29/10 07:59 AM
When We at West Group take on a client as an Idaho Real Estate Professional we "Ride for the Brand".
In the days of old cowboys drove huge herds of cattle across the United States. During these cattle drives, they branded the cattle to keep track of who was rightful owner. Brands became almost a crest, a cattleman's coat of arms.  
What most people do not talk about is that riding for the brand is a commitment of both parties. There is a certain loyalty that is developed over time. The relationship is strengthened thru honest dealings, and looking out … (6 comments)

cowboy: They may be Old, but they are Spirited and Capable - 02/06/10 06:13 AM
This is My Dad and Sandy after a half day of riding. They may be getting old, but they are still spirited and capable. These two can still go from long before daylight till way after sun down. I want to shout out a special thanks to my dad for teaching me how to work hard and for showing me what it means to have that "no quit" attitude. Yeah, we are cowboy through and through, and we love it.

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cowboy: Brangus Cattle Background Information - 01/05/10 03:02 PM
The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. Their genetics are stabilized at 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus.
 The combination results in a breed which unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. The Brahman, through rigorous natural selection, developed disease resistance, overall hardiness and outstanding maternal instincts. Angus are known for their superior carcass qualities. They are also extremely functional females which excel in both fertility and milking ability.
From a ranch kids (40 now, but still a kid at heart) perspective these cattle get around better in the rough Arizona desert … (4 comments)

cowboy: Rough Trail on a Rough Ranch - 01/05/10 02:12 PM
Helping these old boys (ok, so my brother Wesley is only nearly 50) on old horses move a few head we rode a rough trail on this Rough Ranch. These horses may be old, I think Sunny is 28, but sure footed they are. When I am old I hope I still have a job to do! Here are a few pictures of the "Trail", if you have a hard time seeing exactly where the trail is, don't worry, I was there riding it and was not sure as my horse where the trail was. They say a picture is worth … (0 comments)

cowboy: White Burro Rides Point - 01/05/10 04:48 AM
This white burro "rides" point and is guided from behind the cattle that are being moved. The dog works the calves back into the herd and the cowboy (my dad) orchestrates the chaos. I have told this story to several friends, but without a visual I am not sure how accurate the vision in their mind could be.  This 17 second clip is as good as it gets with my Dad, he is camera shy and I had to get this footage on the sly. Usually this would be 12 to 25 Black Brangus (the kind that tops the sale) but … (3 comments)

cowboy: Crackhat Cowboy Christmas - 01/05/10 04:25 AM
We spent a  Cowboy Christmas in search of the Crackhat.
While being chased by bees my dad lost his 20x Stetson in this crack a year ago. Christmas day we went to try and retrieve it.
We took a flashlight big enough to spotlight mice on the moon during an eclipse. A fishing pole in case we spotted the hat and a lot of ambition.
The crack curved down out of sight of the light. Dropping rocks in the hole we could hear them hit bottom. Not wanting to give up despite seeing no hat in the crack I devised a … (3 comments)