ALBERTA WORKING RANCH - CANADA

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Get away from it all and gain an inside view of an authentic working family ranch... ride the foothills, check cattle, fix fences, learn to rope the dummy or just kick back and relax. Set at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Canada this small working cattle ranch is the real thing. On 2 week programmes guests will experience cattle work and learn the basic techniques of working cattle and ranch roping. Riding experience would be beneficial for this but is by no means essential as on this horse riding holiday beginners can also participate.

Why not combine your stay at the Ranch with a two day stay in the city for the world famous Calgary Stampede in July? Please contact Unicorn Trails for details.

Trip length 13 days / 12 nights 7 days / 6 nights 5 days / 4 nights Ride only price 2009: from £559pp. See table below for more details. Departure dates 2009: Ranch week Sunday to Saturday. Cattle drives - 28 May-2 Jun; 15-21 Jul and cattle round-up 7-13 Oct. Approximate riding time per day 4 to 6 hours Riding ability required beginner onwards Group size 1-10 Meeting point (getting there) Calgary International airport Transfer 2009: Shared transfer available for C$300 return per car of up to 3 people Flight guide London - Canada from £400 return Single supplement none if single room available (there are 3)

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ALBERTA WORKING RANCH

There are many different programmes on this riding holiday and they vary with the time of year, work needing to be done and guests requests. This is a genuine working ranch and you will learn about all this entails. On the longer stays, guests will experience cattle work and learn the basic techniques of working cattle and ranch roping. Riding experience would be beneficial for this but is by no means essential. There are a number of special occasions during the typical ranching year and these are detailed below.

Branding Week
Take in a traditional branding experience that even today, echoes the practices of the past. Help the crew gather, sort and brand; you're welcome to observe or pitch in and learn the basics.

Cattle Drives
The first cattle drive takes place in the first part of June and allows you to take the yearlings into the Forest Reserve.
Usually they are gathered on one day and then we drive them three miles to the neighbour's corrals. They will stay there overnight, and the next morning we combine the herd and move them between 15 and 20 miles into the Forest Reserve.
This will take place on the 1st of June (weather permitting).

The second cattle drive will take place in mid-July (weather permitting).
This involves taking up the heifers that have been with the bulls for six weeks. This drive is similar to the first as they will go into the same pasture as the earlier group.

The third cattle drive is the Fall Roundup. This drive takes place about the middle of October as the cattle need to be out of the Forest Reserve by the 15th of the month.
We usually leave early from the ranch buildings and ride into the reserve from the back of the ranch. The cattle are gathered and pushed to the corral setup, which is located in the Reserve. At the end of the day we will return to the ranch for a well-earned rest and a wholesome supper. The next day will be very similar as all of the stragglers need to be found and corralled.
While the search is on for the stragglers, a group of ranchers will be separating the cattle as there are five ranchers with herds combined on the Reserve. When everyone has returned, each owner will leave with their herds at different intervals. The ranch herd will then be driven the seven miles home. This is two hard days in the saddle and we recommend that the rider be seasoned.

We would also suggest that if you are interested in a cattle drive, please book early as space is limited and these weeks are always the first to book.

NOTES - ALBERTA WORKING RANCH

The weight limit for this ride is 18 st/250 lb/114 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Includes all accommodation (supplement for en suite), all meals, riding and ranch activities, state tax and 10% tip.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, transfer to and from Calgary Airport.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

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