Details
Ryan M. is a native Arizonan, born in Prescott, Arizona in 1984.When asked why and how he became a Workin Cowboy, this 6’1” young man told me it just seemed the natural thing to do. His family has been involved in Ranch Work for years. After High School, he got serious about getting paid to do what made him happy. Fine tuning his trade was accomplished at the Bar Flying Z Ranch in Springerville, and then at the Seven Springs Ranch in Seligman. Ryan and his family reside at the North Fork Ranch in Yavapai County, where he works as Ranch Forman. The North Fork covers 9600 acres, with Angus Cattle as their mainstay breed. Ryan is happiest when he can saddle up “Choppy”, his Quarter Horse, and head out to take care of some ranch problem. The day I met up with him, he and four other Cowboys were out fixin fences, which seems a never ending job, although I heard no one complaining, except maybe “Badger”, his Canine Companion, because Ryan had left him behind that day..
Updated Information
Setting up a Photo Shoot with Ryan became a bit of a problem when I was informed he had been sent to a Remote Line Camp in the Flagstaff area called Timber Springs. It was a lot further for me to travel and difficult to locate. The Ranch has no permanent buildings, so Ryan’s Bunk is in an RV Trailer. Beats sleepin in a tent or on the ground. This part of Arizona is high country, with towering mountains, tall ponderosa pines and grass covered meadows. Ryan has been here for a couple of weeks and is pushin to get the Cattle accounted for and moved, so he can head back to the North Fork and his Family. Choppy, his Quarter Horse, and Badger, his Ranch Dog, are his two main companions, while at Timber Springs, so it is kinda quiet here, cause they don’t talk much! Gives a Cowboy a lot of time to “Contemplate”. Hang in there Ryan.
