Just a quick note to let you know about last summer’s Montana Horse Country Adventures.  In the Big Belt Mountains and on the Rocky Mountain Front, our guests enjoyed exciting riding, new experiences, and beautiful mountain surroundings.  We hope you’ll be able to join us this year. 

What does a cowboy do when there’s eight inches of snow on the ground, and he needs to practice his roping?  Kyle, Paul, and Justin figured that one out in early June, when they built a snowman to rope!   Not to worry, everyone slept warm and dry on their cots in heated tents.   Snow is fleeting in Montana in June.  It’s followed by rain and mud, then bright blue skies and exuberant green grass, and spectacular flowers of all colors.  Our first drive had all the above, as we moved two herds of cattle with Dagnall’s; and then branded one day, before going to White Sulphur to soak in the Spa.  The Townsend Bull Bash happened the ending day of the drive.  We were able to finish riding early enough to get everyone in to the rodeo grounds to observe setting up the arena and sorting the bulls.  Producer Dick Lyman held a big old black bull in the chute, and had Justin demonstrate all the fine technique of rigging and mounting a bull, and “getting off” safely.   Mara, George, Kyle, and Paul all got their turns to practice what Justin had demonstrated.  None of them wanted to turn loose in the arena, so no trophies, just great memories and pictures.  The working bull riders performed that evening; our guests knew every bull.

What do cowboys do  when a whole hillside erupts with running horses?  “Just turn some of those horses loose on the track during the Kentucky Derby,” says Monte, ”and there’ll be new records set!”  Our guests agree there’s just no comparison to the high of riding with a herd of 70 plus horses and mules over some of the most spectacular mountain foothills in Montana to their home at Sun Canyon .  Wildlife, wild riding, wildflowers were part of every day.  In spite of some spells of cooler and wetter weather than usual,  everyone stayed warm and dry in their tents. Several horses left the main bunch and ducked into the timber like wild elk on the way to the home ranch, so some riders went on a horse hunt the following day, and others moved cattle.  Before heading out that morning, we watched a super-efficient shoeing operation begin; the farrier brought in his table and shod over 60 head that day.  Then we gathered up another 30 head or so the next day to take them on an eyebrow of trail along the riverbank and lakeshore to K-L Ranch. Soak in the warm spring, ride back to Sun Canyon Lodge, have a dance...Teresa & Bryan showed how that’s done.....how much fun can we have in one short week?  A big thanks to Lee, Josh, and the Sun Canyon crew!

Contrary to what it might seem, it really doesn’t rain all the time in Montana.  The end of June it only rained a little bit the day before our guests drove cattle from Greyson Creek to Wall Mountain,  not even enough to stop Brad from fishing.  Rounding up cattle who don’t want to go is an education.    A lunch on the ridge, surrounded by wild flowers, then over the pass and down through the old Murphy place to the head of Dry Creek.  The Plymale family shared the history of their mountain ranch, originally a  community of families from Scotland.  Then regroup at the Spa and back to the Upper Greyson camp to gather cattle on Dagnall’s and take them to the Forest pastures the next day.  This drive was special in that all the guests were here as families; parents and high school or college students.  They finished their drive by attending the Harlowton 4th of July rodeo, and learning the basics of timed and rough stock events. 

What could be more peaceful than a camp on Grassy Mountain with deer and moose for next door neighbors?  August’s cattle drive took Thompson’s cattle up the mountain, and shifted Dagnall’s cattle on the Forest.  Those Thompson cows know how to hide about as well as elk.  A soak at the Spa was welcome at the end of that day.  Lots of young people on the Thompson crew made for real entertainment;  there was plenty of energy to go around.   A special twist was an extra two days spent at a Pat Parelli Natural Horsemanship clinic in Great Falls.  Commuting across the Big Belt Mountains one day and the Little Belt Mountains the next day gave everyone a good taste of Montana atmosphere. The clinic was a good learning experience -- and Bev got her Parelli “carrot stick” all the way home to the U.K. on the plane!

We thoroughly enjoyed hosting our guests in 2005, and are looking forward to having several return this year.  Our schedule remains similar to last year.   The first cattle drive will move one herd of cattle from Duck Creek to Greyson Creek, and another herd  from spring pasture to the back side of Grassy.  The horse roundup will be the same horses and destination, (with a slight change of route to prevent escapees).  The second cattle drive in June will be moving herds from Greyson Creek to Wall Mountain and from Deep Creek to Upper Greyson.  July and August drives will be primarily on high mountain pastures, mostly Grassy Mountain.   At the conclusion of each drive, we’ll again enjoy a special event, such as rodeo, bullriding, mounted shooting competition, etc.

We’re looking forward to having you join us for an unforgettable horseback adventure!

Monte, Mary Ellen, & Teresa