Experience An Authentic Working Cattle and Horse Ranch Through the Photos of Dryhead Ranch by Fast Horse Photography

What makes you a badass cowgirl?

Is it the length of time you’ve known how to ride a horse? Or, how you saddle up and maneuver your trusty steed.

Do you need to know how to stay on a bronc or wrangle a calf at a rodeo for folks to call you a cowgirl? 

Is sitting in the saddle three days in a row in inclement weather as you drive the herd home a rule?

How do you learn to be a cowgirl? Is it passed down through generations of working the land… the cattle… and the ranch? 

Is being a cowgirl something you do, or is it who you are? Because it can’t just be about riding.

Maybe it is a little of both?

I think it starts with a desire in your heart to be one with your horse. To have a horse-human connection that binds your souls so tightly. You and your mount trust each other no matter what. 

Also, there must be a willingness in your spirit to work incredibly hard. To get up before the sun comes up, and fall into bed after everyone else completes their day. And a genuine desire to do things that many women don’t want to do. Mending fences. Branding horses and cattle. Driving a tractor. Work on irrigation or tending to sick animals. It’s all part of the job.

Work that isn’t glamorous in the least. 

To some, this sounds like a dream. While others think heck no!

So maybe being a cowgirl starts with your spirit.

A humble heart, generous and willing attitude. Flexibility. A tolerance for extreme temperatures. The heat that bakes your skin, and the cold that bites through your clothing. The ability to work through the pain and desire to rest. 

The inclination to roll up your sleeves, get dirty and work as a team. Doing work that requires grit and fortitude. 

Absence of fear. Is that what creates the badassery? No fear. Or keeping it at bay.

When a heifer runs off into a big thicket of Willows and it’s your job to chase after it... You Go. There’s no waiting. Mustering up the courage. Talking yourself into it. YOU GO!

When asked to lead the herd through a water crossing. And you don’t know how deep the tributary is, you don’t ask if someone else can do it. You move. Without a second thought. 

Because YOU ARE A COWGIRL. 

Appreciating the simplicity and rugged appeal of a western lifestyle.

Is this your dream? Is this your current life? Send me an email because I’d sure love to know.

Capturing Life on a Ranch Through the Camera Lens

I love riding and venturing out on the plains. But my passion is observing and seeing what I can catch with my camera. Documenting day-to-day ranch life and what it entails. 

Photographing the herds as they come and go.

Finding the perfect light to show off a handsome horse and rider pair. 

Noticing the subtleties of herd behavior whether cattle or horse. 

Along with the hard work and dedication it takes to manage a thriving cattle and horse business.

And that’s what I did this summer at Dryhead Ranch in Montana. 

Dryhead Ranch lays in the middle of the Dryhead Canyon at the foot of the Pryor Mountains in southeast Montana.  The Bassett family has owned and operated the ranch since 1989 striving to continue the ranching legacy for the past four generations. (Cattleranchvacations.com)

An authentic working ranch. Providing guests with the opportunity to experience the thrill of a cowgirl lifestyle. 

Beautiful scenery, vast open plains, and genuine people showing you the ropes. The accommodations are rustic but comfortable and the food is very homestyle.

What makes our working ranch the best in the working ranch business is the fact that we are real and authentic.  We do all of our cow work on horseback and different tasks are mixed into each week.  Our days are full of honest work that is not made up or set up for guests to watch. (Cattleranchvacations.com)

Guests can help at the ranch with various activities between April and October. But, this ain’t a cowgirl glamping experience. Far from it. This is an opportunity to help the wranglers get their jobs done. Driving the herd home from their winter resting spot. Weaning babies. Pregnancy checks. Vaccinating the herds, branding, wellness checks, and other ranching needs. 

If you are eager for the chance to feel like a cowgirl. To know what it takes to dig deep and push through this is an awesome opportunity for you. 

I hope you see and feel the authenticity the ranch is yearning to portray in my photos. 

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the photo dump I am about to make to my stock library. From all of my adventures this summer. 

Thousands of new images. Perfect for your ranch business media marketing. Also your western lifestyle business, equine business, and pet-based business. I got you covered.

Of course, if you don’t find what you are looking for, I am available for a commercial photo session. To create an image library that is perfect for you and your business. 

Shoot me an email and let’s discuss what you need.