Nebraska trail ride: Cowboys journey hundreds of miles on horseback
Over the past few months, we’ve shared stories of people biking and running ultra-marathons along the Cowboy Trail in north-central Nebraska. But this week, a group of men is taking a more old-fashioned approach.
By News Channel NebraskaCODY, Neb. - Just like the old saying, "The early bird gets the worm," these cowboys are up before dawn, ready to tackle their day’s work.
“It’s not for everybody. I can guarantee you that,” Jerald Steward of Newcastle said.
Steward, along with a couple of friends, has saddled up for a journey across Nebraska. They’re covering hundreds of miles on horses and mules, averaging about 30 miles a day.
“You start to get more appreciation for live water next to a place or even a bridge. Crossing a bridge saves so much time,” B.j. Robinson of Newcastle said.
The trip started in Clearwater, with the goal of making it around 350 miles on The Cowboy Trail to Harrison.
“We have 640 pairs out there to round up. We have to work the calves, and give them their fall shots. I know this is a long way to get there, but it’s something we’ve talked about doing for a long time,” Steward said.
When the sun dips low, they also aren’t turning to modern comforts.
“We just set up tent wherever we can get a decent spot for the horses to graze,” Richard Smith of Lander, Wyoming said.
While the journey definitely isn’t for everyone, the group says it’s an old way to gain a new perspective on life.
“It’s a time to reflect, and you get plenty of time to think,” Steward said.
“You have time to think when you’re riding by some old ranch or farm place. Maybe there’s an old house there. You’re just thinking about what they did there, and why they picked that spot. You have time to really think, ‘Would you have homesteaded there,’” Robinson said.
Because out on the trail, it’s not just the sun rising—it’s the questions and reflections that come with each mile.