The Western Cowboy and Arabians in the Rockies

In Short

Part historical tribute and part corporate manifesto, this book documents the intersection of two distinct worlds: the traditional working cowboy and the purebred Arabian horse. Published by a Colorado bean company, the work serves as both a colorful portrait of life on the Lazy VV Ranch and an argument for the superiority of Arabian bloodlines in cattle country. It captures a specific mid-century vision of the American West, blending technical insights into ranching with a romanticized, promotional enthusiasm for the resilience and beauty of the horse.

The Story

The narrative begins by establishing the identity of the Western cowboy, stripping away the cinematic myths of "two-gun" outlaws to reveal a professional who is defined by his grueling daily labor. The cowboy, as portrayed here, is a man of the elements, a steward of the herd who works through blizzards and mountain terrain. His primary tool is his horse, an animal described as his constant, intelligent, and courageous companion. The book argues that this working life is not merely a job but a profound tradition, one that demands a specific kind of athletic, sure-footed animal capable of navigating the jagged peaks of the Colorado Rockies.

The story then shifts focus to the introduction of purebred Arabian horses into this demanding environment. The authors frame this not as a mere hobby, but as a deliberate effort to improve the quality of the American cow horse. By crossbreeding the resilient, hardy Arabian—a breed historically forged in the harsh deserts of the Middle East—with native range stock, the ranch owners seek to create an animal that possesses both the "stockiness" of the ranch horse and the peerless intelligence and spirit of the Arab. The narrative follows this experiment to the high altitudes of the Lazy VV Ranch, located near Nederland, Colorado, where the horses are subjected to the unforgiving mountain climate.

The central figures in this transition are the stallions, most notably Zarife and Rifage. These horses are not pampered or shielded from labor; they participate in grueling cattle drives, navigate icy streams, and traverse mountain ledges alongside their human riders. Through these accounts, the authors illustrate that the Arabian, often viewed as a delicate show horse, is in fact a rugged survivor. The narrative reaches its resolution in the communal life of the ranch, where these animals are showcased to the public in Sunday morning demonstrations. The book concludes by tying the success of these horses to the prosperity of the ranching industry itself, ultimately serving as a testament to the idea that the "Drinker of the Wind" has successfully conquered the American Rockies. The final pages shift toward a practical promotion of the company’s agricultural products, suggesting that the same commitment to quality found in their breeding program is mirrored in their packaged beans, effectively grounding the lofty romance of the West in the tangible reality of the kitchen table.

How It Unfolds

Defining the cowboy The narrative establishes the cowboy as an everyday, hardworking professional rather than a fictional caricature. It emphasizes his reliance on the elements and his essential role in the meat-production industry.

The anatomy of the working horse Attention shifts to the physical requirements of a true cow horse, highlighting the need for strength, intelligence, and endurance. The authors argue that the horse is the most vital asset in the cowboy’s daily life.

The Arabian experiment The focus turns to the importation of Arabian bloodlines to the Colorado Rockies. The authors detail how the breed’s desert history makes it uniquely suited for the harsh, high-altitude work of the Lazy VV Ranch.

The life of the stallions Detailed profiles of individual horses like Zarife and Rifage demonstrate their practical utility in branding and herding. These sections show the horses performing tasks that defy common assumptions about the breed’s temperament.

Public appreciation and legacy The book concludes with descriptions of the popular Sunday exhibitions where the public watches the horses at work. It ends by connecting the prestige of the ranch to the company’s commercial offerings, linking the pride of the West to the quality of the ranch’s harvest.

The People

The human presence in the narrative serves primarily to contextualize the horses. L.W. Van Vleet, the president of the Trinidad Bean & Elevator Company, acts as the visionary behind the operation. He is the voice of authority, guiding the reader through the breeding philosophy and the history of the Lazy VV Ranch. He represents the modern rancher who balances traditional labor with a scientific approach to animal husbandry.

The horses themselves—Zarife, Rifage, Kahar, and Kabar—are the true protagonists. Each embodies a different aspect of the Arabian spirit. Zarife serves as the foundation, a symbol of the breed’s enduring beauty and intelligence, while the younger Rifage acts as the workhorse, proving that the Arabian's stature is no barrier to his strength. Kahar is used to illustrate the horse’s loyalty, specifically through a harrowing incident in an icy river where he patiently awaits his rider after an accident. These animals do not simply exist as livestock; they are portrayed as active agents, capable of independent judgment and profound emotional bonds with their handlers. Through these descriptions, the humans are reduced to secondary figures whose primary goal is to nurture, showcase, and benefit from the exceptional nature of these animals.

In Its Own Voice

The cowboy and the horse he rides are the result of a way of life.

This statement opens the book’s central argument, suggesting that the cowboy’s identity is inseparable from the animal he relies upon for his daily labor.

From the hot desert sands of Arabia, the purebred Arab horse has brought us all of his beauty, affection, strength and glory.

This introduces the historical lineage of the horses that the author claims are now essential to the rugged cattle work of the American West.

It is truly a colorful spectacle to see 1,500 people from all walks of life, dressed in varied attire, so intent and interested as they encircle the Arab horse show ring at The Lazy VV.

The author describes the public's fascination with the ranch, illustrating how these horses moved from working animals to cultural attractions.

What It's Really About

The book functions as an exploration of the adaptability of tradition. Its primary argument is that the "old ways" of the West are not static; rather, they can be improved through the integration of superior biological stock. By claiming the Arabian horse as the ultimate partner for the modern cowboy, the authors suggest that the spirit of the pioneer is best preserved through innovation. Underlying the practical advice on ranching and the descriptions of the horses is an argument for the value of the American landscape. It treats the Colorado Rockies not just as a location, but as a crucible that refines both man and animal, proving that even a breed from the ancient sands of Arabia can become a pillar of Western identity.

Why Read It Today

Reading this book is akin to stepping into a time capsule of 1948, when the American West was being rebranded for a post-war public. You will likely enjoy this if you have an interest in equestrian history, the evolution of ranching techniques, or the curious intersection of mid-century corporate advertising and local folklore. There is a distinct, earnest charm to the prose; the authors are genuinely invested in the idea that a horse can have a "noble heart" and that the "Western cowboy" is a noble figure deserving of respect.

However, readers should be prepared for the book's hybrid nature. It is not a strictly objective history; it is a blend of agricultural promotion and regional pride. The language reflects the era’s romanticized view of the "Wild West," and the occasional digressions into the virtues of packaged pinto beans may strike modern readers as jarring or humorous. It is a slim, atmospheric volume that offers a glimpse into a time when a bean company could define the image of the Colorado Rockies. What stays with you is not just the technical information about equine anatomy, but the earnest, slightly eccentric vision of a world where the desert-bred Arabian and the rugged cowboy find common ground in the high mountain air.