The sun dances back and forth behind the clouds of an Oklahoma sky as it shades and illuminates a pasture of tall fescue and four horseback riders driving a herd of Angus cattle up a hill. The scene is authentic, all the way down to mud-crusted spurs and cinches soaked with sweat from the humidity and workout that comes with cutting off stray calves trying to leave the herd. Although it sounds like the description of a late 1800s cattle drive, in reality this picturesque panorama is happening present day at A Bar Ranch.
The ranch, owned by Mike and Martha Armitage of Claremore, Oklahoma, consists of a 4,000-head cow herd, a Quarter Horse operation and a livestock marketing company called Armitage Livestock. [READ MORE]