Saddle Up

Look (were you want to go)

Lift (the reigns of the horse)

Push(the opposite direction with your leg)

Point (the reigns in the direction you want your horse to go)

For Jack and Suzi, this was invaluable information. Neither of them were overly fond of horseback riding, Jack particularly after back surgery and Suzi because the last time she created a rodeo. “My horse must have stepped on a bee’s nest cause as we were on the trail, the next thing you know it started to buck and kick, all around these rocks, my guide couldn’t believe I stayed on it,” explained Suzi shortly after arrival to the Homeplace Ranch only 45 mins out of Calgary. It was day four of the crew from Spectrum Production’s Into the Wild and today was a day along the trail of the cowboys. And Jack and Suzi were about to get an Albertan souvenir they weren’t going to expect.

“I had a friend who taught basketball, he never put a player up against an opponent right away. As soon as you bring in the opponent the intensity level goes up. So we put in the wood horse to train guests before we jump in the saddle,” explained Ranch owner and legendary cowboy Mac Makenny.

Jack and Suzi enjoyed their day riding the ridge lines of the area, taking in some scenic sites those including the Canadian Rockies.

“That’s what is neat about this place, there is two hours of preparation involved before you take off on your ride, you get to select, groom and than help saddle up your horse. Normally you just show up and 10 mins later you are off,” said Jack. “Here you get to gain that confidence, you feel prepared and have bonded with your horse. You appreciate the experience that much more because you taken some time with them”, said co-host Suzi. And she continued with, “my favourite thing Mac told us is that you need something to love, you need something to keep it interesting. His calmness really started to get to me.”

This is a stellar spot to saddle up and get weeks worth of riding in, for details click here.