Again, as manager, specifically a new manager, I don’t see Ben w/o phone 100% of the time.
Even on his days off. A manager in any profession is always the manager. Staff should always be able to reach their manager. If nothing else, what if a ranch hand needed to call in sick, unable to feed, needed Ben to cover for him? Or what if animals got loose, injured, someone dropped in wishing to meet/welcome Ben?
Plus, Bens dad was recovering from an injury, Ben would have his phone in case his family needed to reach him, imo.
And the obvious, what if Ben or Gunny did get hurt? Of course he’d need his phone so he could reach out or at least have a chance of being found. Jmo