Do you remember the last time you went on a trail ride? Were you thinking how great it would be to get on the back of a beautiful horse and gallop off into the sunset? Did you envision riding along a lovely beach or a scenic ride through the woods?
I can imagine the excitement you were experiencing just thinking about going riding. Did you make all the arrangements over the internet or with your hotel concierge? Wasn’t it great to pile the family into the car with everyone ready to experience the great outdoors on horseback?
Then . . . . it happened. You drove around the bend of the road and someone shouted – there it is! Now all excited and ready to ride you pull into the parking lot, smear on your sunscreen, grab your water bottles, put on your caps and cowboy hats and take your first real look at the magnificent horses you’ll be riding.
Well, maybe not so magnificent. Maybe a bit tired looking. Maybe sagging a bit in the middle. Maybe they’ve been standing there all day in the dusty corral, tied to a rail, saddled and waiting for you to climb on and sit on their backs for an hour, maybe two, while you play follow the leader down a worn down footpath leading to nowhere and returning to the same dreary little corral where they’ll stand, still saddled, waiting for the next excited little group of riders to appear and give them a break from their monotonous existence.
Wasn’t that fun? Maybe in a couple of years, when your memory has faded a bit, you’ll recall that “great time we had riding on that vacation we took to . . . .” and you may even think of doing it again on your next vacation.
But, this time will be different! This time you have decided that you would like to really go riding. This time you’ve decided on having a truly western experience with “real” horses in the “real” west. This time you’re going to the Bar C Ranch just west of Cochrane, Alberta, not far from Calgary. Yes, Calgary as in Canada, but it’s only a few hours north of the U.S. border by car.
Alberta has some of the most beautiful horse country you will ever want to see. The Bar C occupies about 40,000 acres of rolling hills, lakes and streams. It is a working cattle ranch and resort. Not a fancy resort – an outdoors resort with wonderful cabins with fireplaces and abundant firewood, included at no additional charge.
But let’s get back to the horses and I’ll tell you more about the resort later. Now these horses are magnificent. When you drive through the main gate you’ll see them running along the fence to greet you or just standing out in the pasture grazing or maybe walking up the hill from the lake. You won’t see them standing around all day in a corral already saddled and just waiting for you to plop your rear end on their backs for a walk down a dusty trail and back.
When you go for your first ride, the wranglers will inquire about your riding skills and preferences and find a horse to match your needs. Only then will it be bridled and saddled – after being caught, of course! You will know your horses’ name and some of its habits. After your ride you will be encouraged to help with removal of the saddle and bridle and will be allowed the privilege of bonding with your horse by stroking, brushing and talking to it. You can even clean the hooves if you want. And you can ask the wranglers any questions you want about the care of your new friend. If you want to ride the same horse again you can make that request. It may or may not be possible depending on how many other people take a shine to “your” horse. The wranglers are very careful about overworking individual horses, so be prepared to try another mount on another ride. Besides, it will be a fun learning experience for you to handle more than one horse.
My favorite was a Norwegian Fjord. No, I had never heard of that breed either, but I really loved riding Nomee. She was a very large horse – not as big as a Belgian or Percheron, but certainly larger than a Morgan or Arabian or Quarter Horse. But I wasn’t the only one who favored her – she was a very popular mount so I also rode Champ – a fine horse, but a bit more “nervous” than Nomee.
I went out with the beginning riders on my first trip and we wandered across the fields over a rise with a beautiful view of the lake, through a series of gates and into the woods before returning to the barns where we had a chance to lovingly groom our animals and get to know them even better.
The next day I rode with the more experienced riders and we took the trail through the birch trees up the mountain side to a number of wonderful view spots where we could look down on the valley below to the ranch and the lake. We could even see Calgary far off in the distance. We frequently had the opportunity to trot the horses and usually, after fording small water flows or streams Champ would like to take a small jump across and then run a short distance as if to prove that more than one gait was possible!
But, back to the ranch. The horses are unsaddled, groomed and let out to pasture. Time to clean up for dinner. Lay the wood in the fireplace for an evening fire, shower, change jeans and boots, wander over to the dining hall, get a drink at the bar, join the other guests on the patio, watch the sunset, and talk about the day. And, make plans for tomorrow.
Available activities from the ranch include not only riding, but also rafting, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, a Native program with a sweatlodge, interpretative programs, native handicrafts and even a Tipi ceremony on some nights.
Then it’s time for dinner. Not fancy, but deliciously simple and simply delicious. Could be Alberta beef or maybe bison. Whatever is being served seems to please everyone – of course, a day on horseback doesn’t hurt the appetite. And the desserts don’t hurt either!
And, after dinner we drift back out to the patio and continue to watch the sunset – remember, we’re pretty far north here even though we’re in southern Alberta. Perhaps join in a lively game of horseshoes and talk more about tomorrow’s plans. Some will ride, some will do other nearby activities and some will drive in to Calgary to enjoy the world famous Calgary Stampede. I stopped there before coming to the ranch and enjoyed the rodeo and was wowed by the Chuck wagon races. I managed to wrangle a behind the scenes tour and actually got to throw the tent poles and stove into the back of one of the chuck wagons (just one part of what takes place at the beginning of the race.)
Remember, this is an actual working cattle ranch and, at certain times of the year you can participate in various ranch activities. See the website listed below for details. And yes, if you insist, they do have a wireless internet connection in and near the main office – but not in the cabins. Nor do the cabins have TV or telephones. You can’t even park your car by your cabin. Unload and move it to a parking lot away from the cabins. There is a laundry so don’t worry about bringing along all your clothes. Dress casual and dress western. This is the place to visit for a vacation – leave the business worries at home.
So, head north to southern Alberta for the western experience of your life!
Real Travel Adventures 