JX Ranch New Mexico, Ranch Activities

"If God had

meant for us to

walk,

He would

have given us

four legs

Instead He gave us

two, one for each

side of a Horse"

Tom decend Caprock lg.jpg (116767 bytes)

Photo Courtesy Lucky Rider Magazine

On a typical day, we saddle up in the morning. We may ride and check cattle on the more open country below, make our way up the numerous narrow canyons or ridges, or we may ride the only trail that leads up on top of the Caprock where we usually keep one herd of cattle grazing for the summer. The Caprock, which extends far into West Texas, separates the Quay Valley below from the endless Llano Estacado on top. Llano Estacado, or Staked Plains, is larger than all of New England and stretches into west Texas.

The only way up to the top is by following an old trail, which at the turn of the century was the only trail up on top for horses and wagons. It was also part of the famous "Goodnight-Loving Cattle Trail". As you top out, you have a bird's eye view of the Quay Valley and you can see as far as the eye can see!
Quote out of 'High Plains History': "Many of the trail herd headed for market followed the New Goodnight Trail out of Fort Sumner. They went along Las Truchas Creek up the Gerhardt Valley and up over the Caprock. They then trailed across the plains to just east of the Horse-Shoe headquarters and off the cap at what later became known as Hartford Hill." The peak in top left corner of picture to the right is Hartford Hill.

When we ride through the herds of cattle, we try to get a count on them, and we check to see if any animals are in need of doctoring. In the spring, we check for new-born calves, and make sure they, and their mamma are both ok. After the majority of calves are a month old, we start branding and vaccinating, usually in May. As we ride through the pastures, we look at the grasses, the utilization of the pastures, and make sure fences are up, and water is plentiful. If we find that fences needing fixing, we stop and make the repairs. If it's time to move the cattle, we'll gather the herd and drive them to new pastures. We may pack a lunch and have a break under the shade of some trees. You never know what's going to need your attention from one day to the next on a ranch, so being flexible is the name of the game!

Because the brush is thick in places, we highly recommend that you wear chaps. If you don't have any, we keep some on hand for your to borrow. Some of the riding will be in fairly open country, some of it in canyon country and ridges. You can also make your own chaps while here. See below.

To ensure that you will have a unique and memorable working ranch experience, we take only five guests at a time. Our horses are gentle ranch horse, but not "dude" horses, and we require that you have some riding experience. It is to your advantage to get at least a few rides in before coming to get all those riding muscles in shape.

Afternoons

He wants it how deep sm.jpg (167303 bytes)

In the afternoon, we usually tend to other ranch chores, such as putting out salt and mineral, etc. The cattle and wildlife all need to have access to salt and mineral supplement at all times, which we keep out in constant supply. Fences always need checking, so we'll be building or fixing fence too. We have been improving this ranch since we moved here and are putting in new electric fencing, many many miles of pipelines to carry the water to well dispersed watering places on the ranch and new water storages too (see our stewardship page).

If we have a little spare time in the afternoons, we may practice roping our "calf dummy". As a guest, you are invited to participate in everything we do here. A lot of it is done horseback, some of it a-foot, and it's all part of every-day ranch life. You are certainly not expected to help with every day chores, but are most welcome to.

Some days you may choose to spend the afternoon driving to nearby Ute or Conchas Lakes, with boating, fishing and swimming. The little cow-town of Fort Sumner, where the infamous Billy The Kid was ultimately killed and now rests, is only an hour's drive away. Fort Sumner now also features the Bosque Redondo Memorial. If you want to shop for some Western Wear or horse tack, Tucumcari has a Feed and Western clothing store, and Clovis, an hour's drive, has a huge Western boot and tack shop. Santa Fe, with its history and exciting shopping, is only a 170 mile drive from the ranch. (See Local Attractions for more.)

Leatherwork - Make-Your-Own-Chaps

For those interested, Mimi will teach you how to make your own Western riding chaps. Let us know at the time of booking if you are interested, and we will order the leather and all other materials required. For the cost of $275, she'll help you through the process of making your chaps, which can be any type you want - chinks (see picture right), batwings (large, flaring chaps) or shotgun chaps (straight legged). You can put your initials or brand on them, and you can stamp the belt if you want. But you will be doing the work, and have the satisfaction of accomplishment when they are done!

We have an excellent custom boot maker in town - Bishop's Handmade Boots who made these boots for Mimi.

JX RANCH

ranch activities

Afternoons

Leatherwork - Make-Your-Own-Chaps