The Greatest Cowboy - with Earl Scruggs Music

[Paniolodave]

A true Cowboy! Spike.

[TwentyWonmile]

Love the video, it's sad to see that way of life slowly eroding away. Thanks for capturing if only but a piece of it.

[Todaylight]

I learn much about this amazing video...

[coloneljj]

great video ive know a few good cowboys like spike

[allinaday]

@coloneljj - You are a lucky man....

David Hoffman - filmmaker

[72milesman]

Hello from Powder River County

[Hank666100]

Thanx for this ...GREAT

[kwf15]

Great seeing this again. I last saw it at the ranch in 2006.

What year was it produced?

[nmelkhunter1]

Reminds me of my granddad who went to work as a wrangler on big outfit in New Mexico when he was about 13. Pretty neat video. Thank you!

[montanabob]

David!...you made a wonderful video!..thank you..

Bobby Blair

[montanabob]

Hello..I worked on the Lazy K in 1967..It was a great summer..I felt very close to Spike & Barby..I rode a horse that banged up Spike..his name was Colonel..Spike warned me, but I had to try..I wound up head over heels in somersalts, banged up head to toe..Colonel ran down a step mountain on me and there was nothin i could do about it..Spike was right..No one was gonna ride Colonel for very long....RIP Spike..it was an honor to work for you..

Bobby Blair

[allinaday]

Dear Bobby. What a wonderful comment. I so thank you for it. Your memory enriches my movie and allows others to live a little realistically in the world of Spike.

David Hoffman -- filmmaker

[shenans68]

David, I didn't hear back so I thought I would comment again. I agree that not enough people have seen this. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?

[allinaday]

hello to all. Of course you can post my movie. I would be honored. I would also be happy to add some comments from my experiences with Spike.

David Hoffman -- filmmaker

[shenans68]

I am one of Spike's granddaughters - I was actually there a lot of the time that this was being filmed. Since Gramp has been gone since 1982, this, along with his books, have become my treasures. I love being able to see him and hear his voice, see the horses I grew up with, the ranch and the country that I adore, and the house where I spent so much of my childhood.

[allinaday]

Shenan68 - Thank you for communicating. You are so lucky to have grown up around Spike and the Montana culture your people created. The film is now a classic though I am saddened by the fact that only 4000 people have seen it during the six months that it has been on YouTube.

Good luck to you,

David Hoffman - filmmaker

[shenans68]

David, thanks for your reply. Gramp was indeed an incredible man and I am grateful I got to know him do well. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?

[LittleBrookFarmer]

This is wonderful! I got to visit this guys ranch in Montana and ride with the next 2 generations. His books are great! Great job with the video.

[allinaday]

ltittlebrookfarmer: so nice to receive this post from you. The ranch must still be a spectacular place. And anyone connected to the Spike Van Cleve family must also be spectacular

David Hoffman -- filmmaker

[prisswade1]

This has to be one of the best videos ever! He lived the dream that many long for but only few get the chance. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to meet Spike. I've ordered one of his books and look forward to what is in store. Beautiful horses and a beautiful person! Thank you for sharing this video!!!

[shenans68]

I genuinely hope you enjoy one or both of my granddad's books. I love having them now that he is gone because he wrote the way he told stories...so when I read the books, I hear his voice.

[barrelhorserider7]

My cousin and I love horses and now were thinking of moving to, Montana, Tennase, Texas,or molalla, oregon. I love this video!!!!!! beautiful horses.

[allinaday]

Thank you for your comment. Montana is special. Spike Van Cleve was special. Horses are special.

David Hoffman

filmmaker

[evewrites3]

Wonderful documentary.

[musicsmything1]

Beautiful vidoe. The horses are beautiful and obvioulsly well fed and taken care of. A true horseman. You can tell by the way he communicates with his horse through voice and action. What a way to live! A truly blessed man and wife.

[zorbey34]

I like this old man and his horses and Montana. Nice video.

[lgeorg1]

GREAT video . . . thanks for sharing!!!