THE MARK OF THE RANGE

Saddle up for a journey into cowboy lore, where searing iron and resilient ranchers etch tales of ownership and heritage into the hides of the land.

A BRANDED LEGACY

Lasso in and come on down to the heart of Peralta, where the art of cattle branding is more than just a mark—it's a chapter in the story of ranching in New Mexico.

Peralta's history is deeply intertwined with the ranching tradition. In these parts, the sizzle of branding irons tells a story that stretches back to the days of pioneers and dusty cattle drives. Here, cattle branding isn't simply a practical method of identification; it's a tangible symbol passed down through generations telling of legacy and hard work.

The legacy of branding irons evokes memories of dusty cattle drives led by pioneering ranchers who carved a life from this unforgiving landscape. Each brand isn't just an indicator of ownership – it's a testament to the resilience and dedication that have sustained this way of life for centuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

Livestock brands have been called "the classical language of the American West."

Painting in Egyptian tombs depict a cattle roundup and branding dating back to as early as 2700 B.C.

To register a brand in the New Mexico territory prior to the 1900's, ranches paid a brand registry fee in the county clerk's office, and then wrote their name and drew their brand in a brand book.

The cattle ranching occupation traces back to the Bible's opening book (Gen. 4:20); and identifying livestock by their special markings was practiced by the grandson of Abraham (Gen. 30:25)

Early Anglo-American ranchers in Texas utilized the alphabet, and were unable to interpret Spanish and Mexican brands - referring to these as "¿Quien Sabes? (Spanish for "who knows?")

Early Spanish brands were generally pictographs representing sentiments and passions.