These are working cowhorses on a California ranch. The horses here were fed alfalfa hay for the evening. They are the remuda that are staying behind tonight. They worked the morning gather and are being rested, so that they can repeat the pattern tomorrow morning.
These horses are part of 22 head that were used on a cattle drive during July 2000, at Green Camp in the Hamilton range of the northern California coastal range. We also had 20 dogs to work the brush and a crew of 13 cowboys to ride.
This trail ride and cattle gather has been done on this ranch for over 20 years in the same manner. Fields Livestock usually has the same crew year after year. These people are neighboring ranchers and family members and friends, who are skilled with their horses and dogs. This is not a "City Slicker" drive, although many people ask to be included each year.
The number 13 was not unlucky this year. We are always pleased and breathe a sigh of relief when all the cowboys return in one piece and the horses and dogs stay healthy. There are incidents and stories to tell each year, but hopefully only scraps, scratches, bruises and wounded pride are the end result.
| 
