FORT STOCKTON, Texas — The pale glow of a full West Texas moon outlined the form of Bruce Carpenter as he reclined in his chair. Warm light from the flames of a propane-powered fire pit danced on his face.
“There’s more tradition out here,” he said about what makes this region unique. “They still know how to do things like work cattle.”
In with the new
Carpenter, who resides in Fort Stockton, has spent 37 years as a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension livestock specialist.
He, like other West Texans, has seen many changes throughout the years – new wind farms, solar panels and electric car charging stations. But some things, like the art of the cowboy, never die.
“We have large, intact ranches that are not all broken up,” Carpenter said. “They’re not all lawyers out of Houston – they’re still family ranches, and they’re still working ranches.”
Pursuing the dream
Babbs Kinepper runs Allison Ranch near Fort Stockton with her husband, Don. She had hope the way of life of the cowboy would continue.
That way of life included leading cattle drives in the surrounding area, and moving the animals to their owners’ desired locations.
Her once-white pickup truck, now coated with a layer of dust, crawled down dirt trails while she towed a feed machine to attract cattle. She intermittently honked the horn, hoping to perk up their ears.
Cowboys on horseback rounded up the stragglers of the various Angus, Hereford, Charolais and Brahman cattle cross breeds that were not previously enticed by the promise of food toward the vehicle.
Keeping the past, present
Not everything changed with the times, however. Some elements of the rich history of the cowboy shone through to deliver reminders of the past.
Custom-made spurs adorned the boots of one rider. Another secured his chaps, stitched with a pink fringe. Well-worn Western hats were required attire.
“We still know how to be cowboys,” Carpenter said.
–Michael Miller
Texas A&M AgriLife Communications