Born in 1898, Ralph Moody was both a writer and a cowboy whose real-life experiences on the western frontier inspired his autobiographical work, Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers. The book was first published in 1950. It is part of a series that chronicles his youth in the early 20th-century American West. Drawing from his experiences as a rancher, Moody recounts his family’s 1906 move to Colorado during the final phase of westward expansion in the United States. The story follows Ralph’s family as they navigate a pivotal moment in the West, where land and opportunity remain rugged and defined by traditional frontier values while new industrial developments emerge. The rugged landscape forces individuals to navigate conflicts through physical courage and confront moral dilemmas in an untamed landscape where laws are fragile. As an early work of American frontier literature, the memoir delves into character development shaped by nature and necessity. It explores themes of The Dynamics of Community in Rural Settings, The Importance of Self-Reliance and Integrity, and The Impact of the Environment on Character Development. 

This guide refers to the 1991 Bison Books edition.

Content Warning: The text contains offensive language about and portrayals of Indigenous Americans.

Summary

In 1906, eight-year-old Ralph Moody and his family move from New Hampshire to a ranch near Denver, Colorado. Seeking better health for Charles, Ralph’s father, and a fresh start in the West, the family settles into a small cottage in Bear Creek Valley, acquiring two horses: Bill and Nig. The Moodys meet Fred Aultland, a helpful neighbor who offers advice and assistance, sharing insights into the realities of ranch life. When Ralph and his sister, Grace, start attending the local school, Ralph struggles to fit in and becomes the target of bullying by a boy named Freddie Sprague. The bullying escalates, and Ralph fights back. His mother and father react differently to Ralph’s fighting: his mother with disapproval, but his father with a subtle nod of support.

As Ralph adjusts to life on the ranch, he takes on more chores but feels overwhelmed by the responsibilities, even lying to his mother about the workload. When his father discovers the lie, he imparts to Ralph the values of honesty and integrity. Soon after, a severe windstorm strikes, forcing the family to evacuate their ranch. The storm leaves their home in ruins, but with the help of neighbors, the Moodys rebuild. During the repairs, the family faces another setback when their mare, Nancy, dies. Ralph’s father receives a new mare, Fanny, from a neighbor, but training her proves challenging. Despite the difficulties, Ralph and his father remain determined to break her in. Ranch life continues to prove challenging for the Moodys, but their troubles escalate when they learn their ranch has limited access to irrigation water, a blow that threatens their crop yields. Fortunately, Fred Aultland offers to share his supply.

As Ralph grows up on the ranch, he becomes captivated by cowboy life, especially after meeting Hiram Beckham, a cowboy known as “Hi,” who rides a blue roan horse. Hi invites Ralph to ride alongside him, sharing “cowboy tips” and eventually giving Ralph the nickname “Little Britches.” Emboldened by his new confidence, Ralph attempts to ride Fanny bareback on an errand to fetch milk but fails miserably; his parents reprimand him. Determined to prove himself, Ralph practices riding and takes on more responsibilities, including cattle herding for Mrs. Corcoran. Grace also wants to ride Fanny, and Ralph hesitantly agrees. Though Grace struggles, she is persistent and determined, much like her brother. Ralph also befriends Two Dog, an elderly Indigenous American hunter who shares his wisdom and cultural traditions with him. During haying season, Ralph and his father work for Fred Aultland. The bull-stacker machinery intrigues Ralph, and he enjoys working alongside the crew. One night, after receiving his pay, Ralph returns home to find their horse, Bill, seriously ill. Determined to help, Ralph mounts Fanny and rides her through the rugged terrain in search of Two Dog, who Ralph believes can save Bill. With Two Dog’s help, Bill recovers, and Ralph feels proud of his efforts.

The Moodys face a crisis when their ranch’s irrigation system fails, putting their crops at risk. Through diplomatic efforts, however, Ralph’s father negotiates a compromise with neighboring ranchers, securing water for the season. When school resumes, Ralph struggles with spelling and clashes with Mr. Lake, a school board chairman. He plays a prank on Mr. Lake by placing a burr under his mule’s saddle but later feels guilty when his father finds out. In October, the school closes due to a mumps outbreak. During this break, Bill’s death devastates Ralph, but he gains confidence as he helps his father train a new colt in preparation for winter. His father allows him to buy a steel trap, which Ralph uses to catch prairie dogs, but he accidentally traps a pheasant—a violation of the law. Feeling guilty, Ralph confesses to his father, who insists he report himself to the sheriff. Ralph rides to Fort Logan, earning the respect of both the sheriff and his father. Later, when his father catches him stealing a chocolate bar. He doesn’t punish him but instead emphasizes the importance of integrity, sealing Ralph’s promise to be honest with a handshake.

As winter settles in, Ralph and his father spend long days working on the ranch. Despite the sheriff’s warning, Ralph feels tempted to trap pheasants and one night sets a trap near the pea stack, rationalizing it as necessary to protect their food supply. During Thanksgiving, Ralph’s father is away in Denver. Ralph takes on extra responsibilities, including managing their horse, Billy. The family celebrates Christmas, enjoying a warm meal despite the harsh winter, and Ralph’s parents return with gifts to brighten the holiday. In spring, Ralph’s father sets up a new irrigation system for local ranchers. Eager to help, Ralph insists on operating the horse rake but struggles and takes a hard fall, breaking nine toes.

In early 1909, Ralph and his father encounter a tornado while working near the creek and rush home to secure the livestock and fortify the house. Although the tornado misses the ranch, a sudden flood from a cloudburst brings disaster; Ralph and his horse, Fanny, fall through a bridge, with Fanny drowning while Ralph narrowly escapes by grabbing onto a bush. Facing dwindling resources, Ralph begins working for Mr. Cooper, a local rancher, to help support his family. There, he reunites with Hiram, now the cattle foreman, and quickly earns recognition for his skills by successfully riding a spirited blue roan colt named Sky High. Impressed, Mr. Cooper calls Ralph “Little Britches,” a title once given by Hi, which fills Ralph with pride as he gains confidence and independence. One evening, during dinner at the mountain ranch, Fred Aultland arrives with urgent news of scattered cattle, prompting Ralph and the ranch hands to begin an immediate roundup. Ralph drives the cattle across rugged terrain, even navigating a swollen creek on Sky High, which impresses Mr. Cooper with his determination and skill. As Ralph continues to train Sky High, focusing on roping and cutting cattle, he develops a strong bond with the colt, solidifying his role as a capable “cowpoke.”

Ralph and his father face sabotage of their irrigation ditch, leading to a legal battle over stolen water. Hi teaches Ralph’s father how to shoot, and Ralph’s father teaches Ralph. This strengthens their bond and makes Ralph feel more like an equal. As summer progresses, Ralph prepares for the Fourth of July roundup in Littleton, where he competes in bronco busting and trick riding. He wins first place alongside Hi and trades his prize gold watch for a silver trophy belt buckle. However, in September, a car fires upon Ralph and his father while they are standing by their corral, likely in retaliation for the court case over water rights. With financial strain worsening, Charles is forced to sell Billy and take a construction job in Littleton.

Between Christmas and New Year’s, the Moodys move to a small rental home in Littleton. Ralph struggles to adjust to a new school, facing curiosity about his ranching background and eventually getting into a fight. Assisting his father with home repairs deepens their bond as Ralph’s father plans to start a contracting business called “Moody and Sons, Building Contractors.” Ralph also takes on more responsibility with their colt, Babe, whose training becomes crucial to their life in Littleton. However, a barbed wire incident injures both Babe and Ralph’s father. Soon after, Ralph’s father’s old cough worsens into pneumonia. Despite the family’s efforts, Ralph’s father passes away. This leaves Ralph as the man of the house and responsible for leading the family in grace at supper—a symbolic moment marking his transition to manhood now that his father has passed.