Calving Season in Montana
April means a few things for us here in southeast Montana – calving is well underway, it’s time to start riding colts and branding season is on the horizon. Our pickups are covered in mud, and the weather can’t make up its mind. As I write this, most of our Western Horseman team has returned to the office after covering Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting. Tik Maynard is now a two-time Road to the Horse Champion, and as we look ahead, the magazine is as busy as ever. In the April issue, you’ll find a heartfelt farewell from our former editor, Amanda Devan. We are incredibly grateful for her amazing contributions to the magazine and are excited to see her shine in her new role. Although we will miss her, she’ll return with a feature story in our September issue.
330L, one of my young cows, and her bull calf hiding after being tagged.
From the Saddle
Calves started to hit the ground in mid-March, and we have about five to six calves per day now. In addition to our Red Angus mama cows, we have a small herd of Corrientes that I’m always excited to calve. Although a little lanky, those bovine babies are typically a fun mix of colors and need minimal help.
We’ve also started riding our young horses to prepare for spring work and brandings. Right now, I’m riding a four-year-old gelding and a couple of older ranch horses that we will sell later this year. It’s always difficult to let a good one go, especially when you can saddle up and get any job done. My 14-year-old grey gelding, “Moon Dog,” is on the list to sell, and I know there will be a lot of tears when he loads up in the trailer for his new home.
On the cover of April: Kenyon Bearup of the Vera Earl Ranch. Photograph by Jennifer Denison
Behind the Scenes
We recently wrapped up our gear and tack issue, and we are in the middle of making the final touches on our June rodeo issue. We are also looking ahead to 2026 and the 90th Anniversary of Western Horseman. While the magazine remains at the heart of what we do, WH has long extended far beyond its pages — into books, merchandise, events, social media and more — all part of what goes into creating award-winning content. I can’t wait to share what we have planned for readers. If you crave nostalgic content, you’ll love our 2026 material.
Calving season essentials.
This Month’s Issue
If you haven’t done so already, there’s still time to grab our April issue of Western Horseman. Get your horse ready for spring with essential topics related to horse health. In this edition, we discuss how to prevent tie-up, improve feed storage safety, and explore the latest practices in regenerative ranching. Additionally, we feature the legendary Vera Earl Ranch, sharing stories about sisters Marin and Addison Tomlinson, Bailey Bearup, and their family-owned cattle operation in Arizona’s Sonoita Valley. My favorite article is “The Power of the Podcast” by Kate Bradley Byars. Living in rural Montana means plenty of windshield time, even for simple errands. I’ve found that podcasts are a great way to pass the time on those long stretches of gravel road.
Our blue heeler, Angus.
Reader Roundup
I’m always grateful to hear from readers who deeply care about Western Horseman magazine. This past weekend, I spent time reading your thoughts and comments via Facebook and through our editorial email. I had the chance to speak directly with longtime subscriber John Moore. He shared honest thoughts about where the magazine is headed — and I appreciated the opportunity to listen.
I enjoyed reading the many emails from readers sharing their favorite articles and even had the opportunity to talk on the phone with one of our collectors, Marshall Considine. His story about collecting every issue of the magazine will be featured in our upcoming May issue. I loved discussing his favorite content and readers like Marshall remind me of the strong connection we all share through Western Horseman.
I’ll admit, I felt a few nerves announcing my new role as editor. But after reading through the hundreds of kind comments on social media, I’m reminded of the incredible team and community I have behind me. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats — but representing the Western Horseman brand is one I’m proud of. Thank you for the warm welcome and for letting me ride for the brand.
Until next time,
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