A morning ride on Wyoming's Green River Drift

TL;DR

Experience the beauty of Wyoming's Green River Drift, one of the last horseback cattle drives in the US, and hear from range rider Brittany Hezeltine about her love for the job.

Transcript

60 minutes overtime i'm bill whittaker this week  on 60 minutes we're in wyoming   on the green river drift one of the  last horseback cattle drives in the u.s we spent a morning with range rider  brittany hezeltine who's on horseback   every day at dawn for five months  watching over 600 cattle go by go by   go bye and moving them from pasture to ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪛 The Green River Drift is one of the last horseback cattle drives in the US.
• 😃 Brittany Hezeltine finds solace and joy in working alone in nature and being surrounded by wildlife.
• 🤠 Cows and calves have a natural instinct to return to the spot where they last nursed if they get separated.
• 😀 The cattle drive covers a distance of approximately a mile and a half.
• 😅 Timing and temperature affect the distance of the drive, with hotter mornings resulting in shorter distances.
• 🤠 The cows and calves have a designated nap time during the drive.
• 🧡 Working as a range rider requires dedication and patience in handling the cattle.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long has Brittany Hezeltine been working on the Green River Drift?

Brittany Hezeltine has been working on the Green River Drift for three summers.

Q: What does Brittany love about her job as a range rider?

Brittany finds it amazing to be out alone in nature, surrounded by wildlife. She enjoys working with her dogs, riding horses, and of course, handling the cattle. It soothes her soul and speaks to her in a way that is difficult to explain.

Q: Does Brittany ever get frustrated with her job?

Yes, there are times when the cattle give her a hard time, and she may feel like she can't take it anymore. However, those moments are quickly replaced with a reminder of why she loves her job when the cows cooperate or the surroundings amaze her.

Q: Why do the cows and their calves stop mooing during the drive?

The cows and calves stop mooing because they have found each other. They have an innate homing beacon and will return to the spot where they last nursed if they get separated. The silence indicates successful reunions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• 60 Minutes explores the Green River Drift, a traditional horseback cattle drive in Wyoming.

• Range rider Brittany Hezeltine shares her experience of working alone in nature and her love for the wildlife, her dogs, and horses.

• Cows and calves have an innate homing beacon and will return to the spot where they last nursed if they get separated.