- Cowboy on a Working Guest Ranch -
This Canadian Ranch is hidden in the beautiful Saskatchewan River Valley and has 14 kilometres of shore along Lake Diefenbaker. Here you are welcomed by George and staff, who has a working cattle guest ranch and a cow/calf operation where cattle are herded in a traditional way using horses. When new calves come to the world every spring, the ranch work never ends.
Guests ride on well trained quarter horses, appaloosa and paint horses. The horses have a wonderful life, they live in a huge pasture and get rounded up in the mornings to start the day.
When you are a cowboy/cowgirl at a "working cattle-guest ranch" you follow the seasons and cattle rhythm. Everyone is welcome to participate in the work at the ranch which doesn't mean that you get to chase or herd cattle all day. Most of the livestock work takes place in early June, at the "branding event" and at the beginning of October during the "round up week". So if it is the work with cattle that attracts you, you should go for one of those weeks (must be booked way in advance).
If you visit the ranch throughout the summer, working with cattle is limited but you have the chance to do some 'working cattle' in the large outdoor arena where they keep some longhorn cattle close by. Lots of fun, you get do some working cow, sorting, cutting or moving an animal. You can also learn how to barrel race which is a lot of fun for everyone, especially cowgirls. If you get very good at roping you will have the chance to try some breakaway roping on the cattle.
No matter if it is the season for livestock work or not, there will be many hours to be spend in the saddle. This is no trail or nose to tail riding, everyone can experience the wide open range. It's amazingly beautiful.
If you are not an advanced rider but in good physical condition you will quickly learn to keep up with the others. When you're out all day, the pace is often calm due to the steep terrain in many places. Saskatchewan is not flat at all. The ranch is also a perfect ranch to bring your partner or friend who has not yet experienced the thrill of riding.
You live in small comfortable cabins in western style. All melas are included. You start your day with a large breakfast at 9am. Lunch will be prepared and packed up for you to take out on the trail, every saddle has a saddle bag. Supper will be served at 6:30pm and everyone is gathering again around the huge dining table where a lot of laughters and stories will be shared throughout the meal time.
