Breck Crystal Oral History - February 8, 2011

In this interview from an unspecified date, Breck Crystal, a relative newcomer to Boulder Mountain, recounts his journey into cowboy life despite not growing up ranching, influenced by his grandfather's cattle and horses. He details his work with Dell LeFevre, gathering cows, branding, and feeding, and discusses his personal collection of saddles, including an old Visalia stock saddle from his great-great uncle and his current preference for a Nevada Slick Saddle, and his intention to have a new Wade-style saddle custom-made. Crystal shares harrowing experiences with horses, including sliding down a snow-covered break, a fall into Death Hollow Creek, and a horse collapsing on him during a ride. He reflects on lessons learned from older cowboys like Leo Gardiner and Wendell Roundy, emphasizing patience, animal handling, and the importance of a strong work ethic. Crystal also expresses his deep connection to the land, advocating for an interactive lifestyle over passive observation, and discusses the historical significance of local place names, concluding with his hopes for future generations to understand the cowboy and ranching traditions.