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We invite you to visit T‐Bone Cattle Co. ‐ Our Working Ranch.
Our families have been farming and ranching on our east central Alberta homestead since 1903. We'd like to offer you a unique opportunity to be one of our crew. We'll put you to work and there's lots of work to be done – branding, spring and fall cattle drives and checking cows in summer pasture – all on horseback. Our ranch horses are comfortable working cattle, or just leisurely heading out and exploring the vast countryside. If you’re joining us for a visit, you’ll be mounted on a T‐Bone Cattle Co. horse and you’ll be in good hands ‐ so to speak.
Spring Calving and Branding
All our baby calves are born out in the pasture in April and May and thankfully require little help. However there is lots of riding to do checking to ensure all is going smoothly and giving the odd one a boost! Before the herd is ready to move to summer pasture, we have an old fashioned branding on the prairie to brand the new crop of calves. We call on all the ropers in the family and many other friends to help‐ and there's a job for everyone from managing the irons to feeding the crew. The goal is to get the job done with as little stress on the herd as possible, with everything paired up and healthy at the end of the day.
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Lost Twin Needed a Boost |
Rescued Twin Get a Little Extra |
Spring Means New Baby Foals |
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Good Loop |
Dragging Calves to the Fire |
The Ground Crew |
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Want to be a wrangler helping drive 250 cows and calves to our northern summer pastures early in June? To get ready for the drive we have a weeks worth of work to do riding and sorting the right cow/ calf pairs to make the trip. The drive itself is two days on the trail, takes us across the North Saskatchewan River and through some of the most beautiful country in the west. |
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“Gang of Dudes -‐ Doctors from Calgary Who Enjoyed the TBone Cattle Co Trip More than Once!” |
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Visitors from Wales & Germany |
Leading the Way |
Bringing up the Drag |
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Summer Pasture Riding
During the summer, day trips are available to ride with us as we check cattle in our summer pastures. Occasionally a sick one might need to roped and doctored and the herd needs to be moved pasture to pasture a few times a year. The wildlife and scenery are spectacular and if you keep your eye out you might sample some fresh saskatoon berries straight from the bush without stepping foot off your horse! |
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Doctoring a Sick One |
Having a Little Fun |
Hot Enough to Enjoy a Swim |
Summer Pasture |
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Fall Cattle Drives
In the fall, several special riding opportunities are available. The local Lea Park Cattle Sale takes place in September and yearlings must be rounded up and driven to the Lea Park Sale Corrals. This usually takes three days of cowboying -‐ combing the pasture, trailing down the road and sorting for sale. From mid-‐ October to the end of the month, we spend many days rounding up cows and calves from the Clear Water Lake summer pasture, preparing for the drive home. As the leaves start to turn and Canadian geese begin to head south, we welcome you to join us in our final cattle drive of the year! |
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Fall Round Up at Clearwater Lake |
Headed Home |
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There are a number of other spring and summer attractions in the area for the guest looking for a bit of the western lifestyle. Professional rodeos, chuckwagon races and local summer fairs take place throughout June and July. When the rest of the chores are done -‐ or can simply be put off until tomorrow -‐ every cowboy around here likes to get away to do a little fishing. Other available receationl pursuits may spark your interest as well -‐ berry picking, wildlife watching and more! |
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Lea Park Pro Rodeo - Second Weekend in June |
Wild Cow Milking at Lea Park Rodeo |
Dewberry Chuckwagon Races |
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T-‐Bone Cattle Co. is made up of people who love this way of life and we’d love to share it with you! In order to provide you with the best experience possible we are only able to accommodate a couple, a family or one small group at a time. Custom packages including meals and accommodations and all the cowboy work you can handle are available – email or call us for more information. |
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