Yippee-ki-yay: The real life of modern cowboys

Jessica Sager

featured

Jul 11, 2014

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Cowboy David Thompson drinks a cup of coffee before leaving for a day of working to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 02 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboy David Thompson drinks a cup of joe before leaving for a day of work gathering cattle. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson walks with his dog, Fang, to catch horses that he will use for a day of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 03 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson walks with his dog, Fang, to catch horses. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson gestures as he loads his horse into a trailer near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 05 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson loads his horse into a trailer. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson puts a horseshoe on a horse's hoof as he prepares for a week of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 9, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 9, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 04 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson puts a horseshoe on a horse’s hoof. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Rancher Steve Pargin (L) holds a young border collie that cowboy David Thompson had brought to him while they prepare to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 10, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 10, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 06 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Rancher Steve Pargin holds a young border collie that cowboy Thompson brought over. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson drives his truck to join with a group of other cowboys to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 10, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 10, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 08 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson drives his truck to gather cattle with a group of other cowboys. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson carries the reigns of a horse's headstall while preparing to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 10, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 10, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 07 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson grabs the reins. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson works to help a horse regain its footing after it fell inside a trailer on the way to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 10 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson helps a horse regain its footing after it fell inside a trailer. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson inspects a cut on a horse's ear after it fell inside a trailer on the way to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 11 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson inspects a cut on a horse’s ear. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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A rodeo champion buckle adorns the belt of cowboy Stetson Mackey as he waits to begin a day of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 09 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboy Stetson Mackey rocks a rodeo champion belt buckle. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys are pictured past a saddle mount, up on their horses after eating lunch near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 12 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboys regroup and head back to work after lunch. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Rancher Steve Pargin and cowboy David Thompson (R) talk with the rest of the crew during a cattle drive near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANIMALS AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 13 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Pargin and Thompson talk with the rest of the crew. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson looks down on a large herd of cattle during a week of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 14 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson looks down on a large herd of cattle. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys Rollo Mangus (L) and David Thompson work to move a large group of calves up a trail during a week-long operation to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014.The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 15 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboys Rollo Mangus and Thompson work to move a large group of calves up a trail during a week-long operation to gather cattle. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys push a herd of cattle across Highway 160 near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 17 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboys push a herd of cattle across Highway 160. Reuters

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Rancher Laura Pargin holds a warning flag in an attempt to slow traffic as cowboys push a herd of cattle across Highway 160 near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 16 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Rancher Laura Pargin flags to slow traffic as cowboys push a herd of cattle across Highway 160. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys (L-R) Grant Gunn, Jody Mangus, Mead Gonzalez, and Georgie Dittmar push cattle through a gate after pushing them across Highway 160 near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 18 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboys push cattle through a gate after pushing them across Highway 160. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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A horse bucks as it tries to run from a saddle that had become loose during preparations to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 19 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

A horse bucks as it tries to run from a saddle that has become loose. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson looks back through trees as he rides his horse near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANIMALS AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 20 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson looks back through the trees as he rides his horse. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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A cow inspects cowboy David Thompson as he rests on the ground near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 21 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Role reversal: A cow inspects Thompson. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cattle cool down and drink water at a man-made reservoir in the mountains near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 23 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cattle drink water at a man-made reservoir in the mountains. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys Stetson Mackey (L), Wyatt Williams, and David Thompson (R) rest in the shade of a pine tree after lunch near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 22 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Mackey, Wyatt Williams and Thompson rest after lunch. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson sits with his dog, Amelia, as she cools down after a day of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 24 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson sits with his dog, Amelia, as she cools down. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson uses a rope and stick as he works dismounted to move a large group of calves up a trail near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 25 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson uses a rope and stick as he works to move calves up a trail. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy Rollo Mangus works to cut mothers and their calves away from the larger herd near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANIMALS AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 26 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboy Rollo Mangus works to cut mothers and their calves away from the herd. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys Wyatt Williams (R) and David Thompson work to restrain a calf in order to give it medicine near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANIMALS AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 27 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Williams and Thompson restrain a calf to give it medicine. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys Wyatt Williams and David Thompson restrain a calf as Stetson Mackey prepares to give it medicine near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 28 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Cowboys Williams and Thompson restrain a calf as Mackey prepares to give it medicine. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys David Thompson and Wyatt Williams release a calf after giving it medicine near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 29 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson and Williams release a calf after giving it medicine. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson separates cattle from each other in a pen near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 30 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson separates cattle in a pen. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys David Thompson (L) and Wyatt Williams tease Grant Gunn as he climbs over a fence near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 32 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson and Williams tease Grant Gunn as he climbs over a fence. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Thompson separates cattle in a pen. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson stands with a horse that he will use for a day of gathering cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 34 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson stands with a horse he’ll use to gather cattle. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboys (L-R) David Thompson, Grant Gunn, and Mead Gonzalez compare notes with rancher Steve Pargin (R) near Ignacio, Colorado June 12, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 33 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson, Gunn and Mead Gonzalez compare notes with Steve Pargin. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson prepares dinner for himself near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 36 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson cooks himself dinner. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson removes burrs from his dog Fang that had become stuck to her fur while helping to gather cattle near Ignacio, Colorado June 10, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 10, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 35 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson removes burrs from his dog, Fang. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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Cowboy David Thompson talks on the telephone while eating dinner at the end of the day during a week-long operation to gather cattle, near Ignacio, Colorado June 11, 2014. The land where the cattle graze is leased from the Forest Service by third-generation rancher Steve Pargin. Several times a year, he and a crew led by his head cowboy, David Thompson, spend a week or more herding cattle from mountain range to mountain range to prevent them from causing damage to fragile ecosystems by staying in a single area too long. Picture taken June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) ATTENTION EDITORS PICTURE 01 OF 36 FOR PACKAGE 'COLORADO CATTLE DRIVE' SEARCH 'LUCAS CATTLE' FOR ALL IMAGES

Thompson kicks back at the end of a long day. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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