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Discovering The T L Bar Ranch -
Peace and Quiet on a Midweek Morning

The first thing that strikes you as you map out the route to the TL Bar Ranch is just how accessible the ranch is. The ranch is a close commute from Calgary or Red Deer and it’s only a two and a half hour drive from Edmonton. That means that if you’re reading this article in your cubicle in your Calgary office, you could easily be out riding in less than two hours. Head straight East of Trochu and as you descend the paved highway toward the Tolman bridge, take a left down to the main ranch house and buildings and there you are.

We’re out fooling around and filming again, acquiring more riding footage for future use. It’s another ideal day for riding and Jamie Lynch has six horses saddled, ready and waiting for us all. It’s a Tuesday morning and after a brief pang of guilt about the work we all left behind, we get over it and mount up. The horses are all well mannered... tripods and camera’s dangling off of the horse’s saddles seem to bother them little more than an annoying mosquito. As we ride away from the ranch house the sound of the Red Deer River accompanies the sound of our horses hooves on hard pan soil.

We’re a mixed bag of riders today. Two heavy laden videographers, a couple of horse trainers, Jamie our guide, and Grandpa Tom. Tom is the founder of the ranch and it’s a pleasure meeting and talking with him. Tom’s stories are fascinating and are told in short and concise phrases giving the listner just enough information to start the imagination spinning. Tom tells of the old days, boxing matches and fist fights (conflict resolution at it’s finest). Tom tells of coal mines, road building crews, horse wrecks and more. Tom is 91 and it’s amazing to watch him ride. Moving along easily in the saddle, he insists on bringing up the rear as we ride into rugged badland ravines. It’s somehow rewarding to observe grand daughter Jamie keeping an eye on Grandpa Tom. Just four years earlier, Grandma Willy decided it was time Tom quit his long rides out on his own. One afternoon, Tom came in with a nasty cut on his ear, after a bit of quizzing from Willy, Tom confessed that his horse had come over backwards and, in the process he sliced up his ear. Now, Jamie and Willy keep an unobtrusive eye on him to make sure he is accompanied on all of his rides. Tom seems to accept the new rules.

Spring Crocuses are just starting to curl up their leaves, their brief season in the spring sunshine is slowly coming to an end. Pastures are greening up slightly and within weeks the cattle will be out grazing the pastures. The trail winds on and dips down to encircle a stand of naturally growing evergreens. The water has cut deep into the clay soil at spots and lone rocks sit periously on pinnacles of eroded sand in other spots. It’s peaceful country. Unhurried, natural and relaxing. Their is little wind in the valley on this day and that warm spring sunshine has cast a spell on all of us as we round a few more turns and head home.

The ride back is equally relaxing. Jamie turns in her saddle and checks on Tom as he rides his young horse through a gully she makes sure Tom’s horse doesn’t overjump the gully.

As we ride, Jamie explains the importance of teaching her young or green riders to trust their horses. When the horse needs to go through rough terrain, it’s necessary to let him do it. Don’t hold him back. Stick to your saddle and let your horse negotiate the details. It’s good advice. Their trail horses are familiar with the terrain and are probably better at guiding their own feet.

Back at the ranch, Grandma Willy has prepared a fine lunch for hungry guys and we enjoy her good nature and her fine cooking equally. Willy and Tom met working for Brewsters some time back and have enjoyed developing the ranch and it’s guest housing. They love having guests and take great satisfaction in having families and folks stay for two or three days. Long enough that the guests really get a feel for ranch life. Day trippers are always welcome. Camping spaces are available, fishing and canoeing on the river is an option and Jamie teaches riding lessons to locals and to guests of the ranch. For more information, view the ranch website at www.tlbarranch.com

After our mid afternoon lunch, we load up and head out leaving the ranch behind for you to discover and enjoy further on your visit out. Remember, you’re just an hour or two away from this little slice of great riding.

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