Aboard my buckskin mare, I broke the crest of the high ridge and surveyed the scene below from the promontory. The herd of 250 head were scattered like pepper across the broad plateau below, under the capable hands of Melanie and Linnaea. I jumped off, tied my mare's mecate and lead rope end to a …
When Economy of Scale becomes Loss
July heat levitated in visible waves from the black pavement and buffeted us through our wide open pickup windows. Caryl and I were in the outback now, up in the broad headwaters of the Lemhi, clipping along at 60 MPH, skimming across the wide open sagebrush ocean of high desert Idaho. Caspar's 6 …
Intern at Alderspring Ranch
We are looking for a few people with grit, character, and a passion for learning to intern at Alderspring Ranch, a certified organic producer of 100% grass fed Angus beef in the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho. Internships are supported by the Central Idaho Rangelands Network. Applications will …
On Trusting the Horse…and Them Us
As I came across the deep swale and dry wash that we call Lawson Creek in the moonlight, I let the lines go lightly slack on the two tons of draft horse in front of me. I shouldn't have. My timing was off, and it was my second mistake of the night. It was at that point that things began to unravel …
Life and Death at Cow College
The cows were dying; of that I was certain. All of them. As I stood in the low angle sunlight of this February morning, they huddled around me, silently. I could see their slack bellies and ribcages in the early morning light. The windrow of lovely and fragrant green alfalfa hay that I laid down the …
Water Wars and Cat Justice
Cats can be the agents of quiet revenge. Perhaps poetic justice is more appropriate. Either way, it began when the late model white Lincoln Town Car Signature Series slowly cruised up our potholed ranch lane after crossing the bridge over the swollen snowmelt torrent of Agency Creek. It had been …