Southern Alberta Ranch

Introduction
Alberta Canada

The foothills and mountain area was and remains cattle and horse country. Stock was wintered at the main ranch and herded to high country pastures for the summer. You'll have a chance to ride these areas and cross an Indian trail that was once used by the Stoney Band.

Accomodation

At the main ranch our lodge and coach house accommodate 12-14 guests in comfortable private rooms with their own bathroom and shower.  
There is a Jacuzzi at the main lodge to sooth your muscles after a long day in the saddle.

All meals are served family style with guests and staff eating together, so you get to know everyone. Coffee is always available. The day starts with a hearty breakfast, and then we saddle up for your choice of a half or full day's ride. A stop along the trail for "Cowboy Cappuccino", boiled in a can over a wood fire, and lunch, may be a new experience for you. Dinner/supper is back at the ranch, with a steak barbecue at least once a week. Plenty of good food is served, but if you feel a need for snacks or midnight raids on the refrigerator, that's OK.  Let us know any dietary preferences in advance.

After a day in the saddle, relax in our jacuzzi (main ranch). On weekends you can attend a rodeo or polo game. Calgary offers good night life & dancing. If fishing is your area of interest, the Homeplace south has three nearby lakes with grayling and rainbow trout, and Willow Creek is at your doorstep with Brookies and Rainbow.

Pet Policy: While we love animals and have pets of our own, we respectfully ask that you leave your pets at home.

Smoking Policy: Smoking is permitted only on our two outside decks at the lodge. No smoking is permitted in any buildings, on the trail or while walking around ranch property.

Telephone/Email: There are no telephones or internet connections in the guest rooms. However, guests have access to a centrally located telephone when making credit card or collect phone calls.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

We raise 1/3 of our horses and that’s important to us and our guests. We also bring in younger horses and train them ourselves. That makes up about another 1/3 and only the remainder do we purchase and those are always from people we know and trust. Our horses are American Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds or mixed breeds. We like to know your riding experience so that we may match you with a suitable mount. (i.e. balance of excitement and safety)
Our foothills and mountain area was and remains cattle and horse country. Stock was wintered at the home ranch and herded to high country pastures for the summer. You’ll have a chance to ride these areas and cross an Indian trail that was once used by the Stoney Band.
Riding varies from mountain valleys to high foothills, crossing numerous streams, mountain meadows and old Indian trails. This type of terrain allows you the chance to periodically trot or canter if desired. We have over 40 head of horses to satisfy the expert to novice rider.

Our priorities are:

1) Safety and well being of guests and staff,
2) Safety and well-being of the horses,
3) An enjoyable experience for everyone, that provides you with a sense of our natural beauty, history, and our love of horses.

Everyone who rides will receive at least the basic instruction on how to approach and mount your horse, and to control him on the trail. You can request extended instruction.

Riding varies from mountain valleys to high foothills, crossing numerous streams, mountain meadows and old Indian trails. This type terrain allows you the chance to periodically trot or canter if desired. We have over 40 head of horses to satisfy the expert to novice rider. A horse is assigned to you when you arrive. Our wranglers will spend time showing you how to become comfortable and work with your mount. If you wish you can come out in the morning to help feed and groom.

Age  
Because of insurance and general safety considerations, we regret that children younger than seven years may only ride in the corral.

Weight   
For the horse's sake, we have an upper limit for riders of 100Kg (220 Lb).

Itinerary

A TYPICAL DAY
A horse is assigned to you when you arrive. Our wranglers will spend time showing you how to become comfortable and work with your mount. If you wish you can come out in the morning to help feed and groom.
The day starts off with a hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon, eggs, pancakes hash browns and coffee, then we saddle up for your choice of a half day or a full day ride. Both our rides leave at 9:30 a.m., the half day has you back at the lodge in time for a delicious homemade lunch. The full day ride includes a stop along the trail for “Cowboy Cappuccino” boiled in a can over a campfire and lunch, you’ll be back at the lodge around 3:30 p.m..
After a day in the saddle, relax in our outdoor hot tub or dangle your feet in the creek during a hike. If you feel so inclined, you can even help the wranglers with the ranch chores. (cleaning corrals, fencing, moving hay bales)

Day 1 - Arrive at the ranch (we'll pick you up at the International Airport or other Calgary locations). If you arrive by 9:30 a.m. you can join in on the ride for the day. Take part in such activities as fencing, checking cows or horses, feeding and grooming, relaxing or grab your fishing rod for a walk along the creek. Enjoy supper topped off with home-baked bread and pastry. (If you have special dietary preferences, please advise us in advance.)
Day 2 - Have a hearty ranch breakfast of biscuits, bacon, eggs, pancakes and coffee. We don't have a tight schedule so learn to saddle up your own horse or tie the Diamond Hitch.  Head toward the high country a 12 mile ride over easy terrain including a trail lunch. When you return relax in a Jacuzzi and a game of horseshoes before an outdoor steak BBQ.
Day 3 - If you're staying the week you might want to spend time at camp. This can be prearranged or you can take circle rides each day from the Ranch. Trips by car, to Banff, Calgary, Spruce Meadows or Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump can be easily done, using the Ranch as your home base.
Day 4 - You might like to ride for the A.M. and take in an afternoon polo game or shopping in Calgary, or enjoy the whole day riding with lunch on the trail around the campfire with cowboy coffee.
Day 5 - 7 - Continue with more trail riding from the lodge or camp, or depending on the season, enjoy the following:

• Care and grooming of horses plus daily ranch work
• Riding Lessons
• Rodeo and Polo games to attend
• A dip in our outdoor Jacuzzi
• Sleep overnight in our teepee site at the Ranch or camp.
• Visits to Calgary, Banff and other local areas
• Community dances, dinners and parties
• Golf at nearby Winter Green Country Club (7 miles)
• Cross-country and downhill skiing in area

Depart on Friday afternoon after the riding around 4 PM

Rates and Dates for Southern Alberta Ranch

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Priddis
Airport: Calgary
Transfer: Calgary

Climate: