These branding irons have been in my family for 40 years. This was my grandfather’s trademark -- it let everybody know which cattle were his. Proof of ownership so nobody could steal them. Everything that was his had pretty much this brand on it. A brand is a really personal thing.

When my grandparents sold the ranch, I got these irons. It’s all we got left from the ranch. Now it’s my trademark.

I’m on horseback pretty much every day, chasing cows, doctoring them or fixing fences. I’ve been kicked, I’ve been struck, I’ve been bit, and I’ve been chased. I had one horse rear over on me -- I landed on a log and he crushed me, just about broke my back.

There’s nothing better than being out in an alpine meadow with your dog, helping a sick calf or saving a crippled cow. When just you out there in the blue sky and the birds are singing, there ain’t much wrong with it. I wouldn’t trade this way of life for anything.