|
|
|
Horses for Sale |
 |
Longhorns, Percherons and the Lucasia Guest Ranch Quiet confidence… every horseman worth his grazing has it. Wayne Lucas of Lucasia Guest Ranch packs this attribute with him wherever he goes. It’s good to watch him work around his horses, it’s just as rewarding watching him work around his guests. You get the impression that Wayne would take the time to explain rocket science to a coyote if asked… and the coyote would catch on. The Porcupine Hills have the Lucasia Guest Ranch tucked into their quills and we were happy to find Judy and Wayne at home on our early fall trip in. If you’ve grown up in the country, you will find the home to be what you would expect. It is naturally comfortable and unassuming. Work on a new log home is well underway during our visited. An existing cozy cabin can be found on the drive up to the house. Additional space consists of very comfortable beds set into the family home. It’s mid morning when we arrive and I’m eager to ride out. After introductions, Wayne and I ride out to bring up the horses. If you ever have the chance to gather a herd of horses on horseback… jump at it. On my scale of adrenalin, it ranks far above wrangling cattle. I have had occasion to trail horses several times and… well, that’s another bunch of stories… any rate, these horses are used to the short trip across the road and obediently move into the corral. Videographer, Will Stobbart (Creative Video Interchange) and John and Sean Kostiw (ranch guests and Red Deer electricians) are riding with us on this trip. Soon we are headed out and we decide to ride out and peruse the ranch’s longhorns. The ride up to the herd is great. Wayne has a history with show quality Percherons and we stop to view a few fine mares and a young stallion. A few minutes later, we are viewing longhorns up close and personal. A Highland Steer regards us from a distance. We continue our ride upward. I ride ahead slightly and catch a view of an inviting canyon in the distance… not for today though. We ride higher still. We have entered another pasture, a Percheron herd complete with a stallion inhabit this space and as we crest a hill, we find the herd. The mares take note of us and move toward us, checking us out. I’m looking for the stallion and waiting for him to identify himself. Suddenly the stallion marches toward us as the mares retreat slightly as if caught. The stallion is bold and large. Moving toward us as if to intimidate. Wayne and I wait for his advance. Timing is everything. As he approaches, mist pours from his nostrils. He snorts his displeasure. Just before he reaches striking distance, Wayne and I advance at him. For a brief second he looks shocked that we would even think to oppose him. Then he turns, trots toward his mares and, as if an afterthought, fires off with both feet at us. We are well out of reach but he has let us know what he thinks of our presence in his herd. We move away from the herd. Wayne rides between us and his stallion. Alert to the actions of the stallion, we begin our ride down. It’s early afternoon when we return to the ranch. Judy has prepared a fine and a satisfying lunch for us all. Judy offers a prayer of thanks for the meal and we eat our fill. Judy has handled large and small groups in her home. As amazing as it is to watch Wayne work with the guests… it’s even more amazing to imagine how Judy handles groups of hungry guests. We are informed that the supper meal will be at seven. We have the time and we decide to explore some on our own in the afternoon. Our afternoon ride takes us to more scenic spots, higher heights and more fantastic riding. As we ride, we fill our memory banks with the good stuff that we may well need during the winter months ahead.
Joel Martens Training Co & TLC Stables |
Bus. 403.782.2616
Home 403.782.9849
R.R.#5 Lacombe, AB T0C 1S0
tlcstables90@hotmail.com