A few friends had horses consigned to the Ranch Horse Round Up Sale and it was a beautiful morning so off we went to watch. We had to stop for a breakfast sandwich and coffee at Sylvan Lake where a nearby building was hosting a large gull convention. Then off to Rimbey and the sale.

There was a wide selection of horses from 2 year old prospects (one draft cross 2 year old was steadier than some mature horses) to horses with years of experience doctoring cattle on big pastures.

There was even one that I wish could be the mount of the neighbor girl who needs a good horse to be her partner in her quest to be a horsewoman. Good horses still demand a good price. He was above her budget. Nice horse.

A good ranch horse can make a good trail riding horse or a good prospect for some of the interesting new competitions becoming available.

I hear people say they can’t take their horse out on the trails because he and they get nervous. Most all ranch horses have not only been out on the trails but have had to work through trees and deadfall to move cattle. Not all ranches have the terrain to make that happen but those that do can certainly get horses broke.

This is a great venue for a horse sale. The big hillside behind the large outdoor arena is a good place for exhibitors to settle their nerves and give the horses a chance to stretch their legs and take a little break.

The sale provided lots of preview time for each horse. This allowed the horses a few minutes to settle in and go to work and really show their finest skills.

It also allowed time for any “holes” in their training to show up, providing a buyers with a good idea of the level of training and disposition. Blood samples from all the horses were taken in case of questions requiring drug testing.

Lunch was available, the burgers were great and the porta potties were remarkably pleasant. Great sale!!