Texas Ranch House . Meet the Adventurers . Shaun Terhune


		"I'm just going to give myself a little tune-up here, to be on the safe side, in case there are any young ladies."


			Shaun explains the challenges of being the Cookie.


			Shaun buys pants, plus eggs for the boys.


			Shaun auditions for the Texas Ranch House.

Shaun is the youngest of the cowboys. He grew up with his seven brothers and sisters in Vermont. Like his siblings, Shaun was home-schooled and taught to thrive in the outdoors. He loves to hike, fish, bike, ski, and rock climb. Shaun is also an accomplished writer who has worked at his small town newspaper. He would like to have studied psychology and writing along with his declared major, geology, but decided it was more practical to study rocks than Freud. Shaun currently attends Bowling Green State University in Ohio and is confident that whatever the challenges he faces, his faith in God will help him through any rough times.

"Most of us are hoping there is going to be some ladies. I'm expecting a middle-aged guy, his wife, and a couple of kids -- probably younger than everyone has been dreaming about, but I don't really know. Regardless, I'm just going to give myself a little tune-up here, to be on the safe side, in case there are any young ladies."

The cowboy is an essential member of the ranch operation but considered a day laborer. Since the end of the Civil War, young men all over the country have been unemployed and are therefore willing to take on unglamorous, hard work. A cowhand is free to get up and go when he pleases. He is the consummate individual.

Shaun works from dawn till dusk, seven days a week unless otherwise directed. On many ranches, cowboys were allowed only two days off: Christmas and the Fourth of July. His duties may differ each day, but generally include cow work and repairs to buildings, wagons, saddles, and other tack gear. Cowhands often spend the entire day in the saddle, but are also expected to help with ranch maintenance and other work. Shaun may be asked to look after the larger animals, such as goats and pigs.

While working the open range, Shaun is required to go on "cowhunts." Once he and his fellow cowboys find cattle, they must herd them back to a home range or an area where they can be tallied and either branded or tail-bobbed and in some cases castrated. Shaun and the cowboys must also patrol the boundaries of the ranch for rustlers and other dangers. On the trail, days are longer, and at night the cowboys must take turns "night herding" -- watching over the cattle in two-hour shifts. Shaun will also be assigned to a specific position on the herd as he drives it during the day. When cattle are well strung out they walk much better and are more readily handled.

A cowboy's horse is his best friend, and the welfare of his "remuda" -- the three horses that a cowboy rotates riding so as not to overuse any -- comes before his own personal comfort. He must watch that their backs and feet don't get sore or injured and keep an eye out for sores and bites. He should be able to correct and control his horse, but abusiveness will never be tolerated.

All ranch hands live in the bunkhouse. They are expected to keep their bunk area clean, airing out their mat and rolling it neatly, and keeping their personal possessions in order and out of the way of others. Respect for superiors and women is the hallmark of a well-mannered cowboy. Mr. Cooke expects and demands that the cowboys show deference and courtesy to himself and to his family.