“Reuters photographer Jim Urquhart recently captured these scenes from a fading culture, as he followed Montana ranchers on their final horse drive, moving more than 300 horses down from their winter range. Every spring the Mantle family, along with with a group of wranglers, drives the herd north over 35 miles and three days, through the small town of Three Forks to their ranch. After decades of supplying and tending to horses, the Mantles, citing financial challenges, now plan to sell off their herd and shift to raising beef cattle. Take a moment to travel with the Mantle family through big sky country, on a journey once so familiar and iconic, now fading into memory with the rest of cowboy culture.” From The Atlantic, more here
Wrangler Shad Boardman rides his horse through a river on May 4, 2012. The drive is not without dangers — over the years, a number of wranglers have suffered minor injuries, from head injuries to broken bones. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)
Wranglers gather a herd of horses off the winter range south of Three Forks, Montana, on May 4, 2012. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)
Wrangler Shad Boardman rides into a pasture during Montana Horses’ final horse drive outside Three Forks, Montana, on May 6, 2012. The Mantle family, who own Montana Horses, held their last horse drive where they rounded up approximately 300 horses and drove the herd 35 miles from their winter range to the Mantle ranch. The horses will be picked up by leasers to be used as pack and trail horses at dude ranches and national parks.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart)
Horses cross a river during Montana Horses’ annual horse drive, on May 4, 2012. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)
Oxford School of Photography 