Real cowboy captures real western scenes

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

This image of horses coming for water was captured by Bob Moorhouse of Guthrie, a cowboy and ranch manager at Pitchfork ranch. His quality, true-to-life photos center on the lifestyle and creatures he loves, yet proclaims photography to just be a 'fun, paying hobby.' -- Courtesy photo

Jan. 6, 2005 - The words of Willie Nelson's song "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" could very well be talking about a man in Guthrie who has a deep passion for horses and the traditional cowboy heritage.

Bob Moorhouse is described as "a man's man" because of the lifestyle he lives. Day in and day out, Moorhouse oversees the ranch operation of the historic Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company as the vice president and general manager. He is only the ranch's sixth general manager.

The Pitchfork, one of the oldest and largest ranches in America, "has a lot of tradition being that big and reputable. It has 121 years of tradition," according to Moorhouse. He added that one tradition that continues today is the use of the chuckwagon during round-up.

The entire operation spans more than 180,000 acres in Texas and Kansas and runs Hereford-cross cattle and Quarter Horses.

A graduate of Texas Tech University, Moorhouse is a director with many associations, including the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, American Quarter Horse Association, the Working Ranch Cowboys Association and the Ranch Horse of America Association.

Besides his duties as the ranch's general manager, and being involved with numerous groups, Moorhouse also enjoys spending time at cowboy events, and photographing the subjects he knows so well.

In late fall, the working cowboy attended "the cowboy reunion" at the 9th Annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, where he stated, "I am enthusiastic about cowboys and the cowboy heritage .... There's pride in their dress. Back home, there's a man who puts all his money in his saddle and gear. These cowboys have pride. It's a tough life. It's got to be in your blood."

Living the lifestyle of a true cowboy has led Moorhouse to capture and record a piece of history ... the true American cowboy.

One of the most famous pictures taken by Moorhouse is a gray horse (the Pitchfork is legendary for their gray horses) and a cowboy getting a drink from the same watering hole, with the passage "He leads me by still waters." This picture adorns many t-shirts and sweatshirts.

With the perfect subjects - everyday working cowboys - Moorhouse is a natural at knowing when the perfect opportunity will present itself.

Simply with a 35-mm, and a digital, cameras, the photographer has snapped moments that depict an accurate portrayal of ranch life. Those pictures have been turned into a book entitled "Pitchfork Country: The Photography of Bob Moorhouse."

His photographs can also be found in several publications and adorning the walls of many offices.

A collection of Moorhouse's ranch pictures, entitled "Hoof Beats on the Pitchfork Ranch" became the first AQHA's first traveling exhibit, roaming across the United States and Europe.

But the notoriety doesn't phase this modest man. "It's a fun, paying hobby," he simply stated.

Even though he truly enjoys photography, it is the horse that is his passion. It doesn't matter what kind of horse - Thoroughbred, Draft, Paint - the horse enthusiast is awed by the nature of the creature ... but he is partial to the Quarter Horse.

The accomplished horseman has won two National Ranch Working Horse Championships and one Reserve Championship in Abilene on his horse "Tex." Most evenings, he can be found "fine turning a horse."

As far as horses, Moorhouse said, "A lot of us are in it (the horse business) for the love of the horse, some for the money."

With so many changes happening in the horse industry, this horse lover stated he "hoped cloning (of horses) would never come to pass."

Born in 1947 to J.C. (Togo) and Lucille, the ranch manager is also part owner of the family ranch in Knox City, where brother Tom is the manager. Today, Moorhouse lives with wife Linda on the Pitchfork and has two daughters Amy and Keri Ann.

In January 2002, Moorhouse was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth and he has also been presented with a bronze star on the Texas Trail of Fame.

So, with 2004 behind us and 2005 straight ahead, there are still some living the dream of being a cowboy and loving the cowboy way. And as long as Bob Moorhouse is around, that's exactly what he is going to do.

(Moorhouse's books are available for $59.95 each, and are each personally autographed. Send check to: Bob Moorhouse, P.O. Box 120, Guthrie, Texas 79236. Indicate how you'd like him to sign it.)