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Historically, a cattle drive or roundup meant spending the night on the ground, regardless of the weather, eating beans and hardtack from the back of a chuck wagon over thousands of miles. Today, wranglers move cattle horseback - though the distances are not so vast.
Yet, what would a ranch vacation be without a Roundup? At Double E Ranch we schedule several throughout the year, generally in late May, late September and possibly one in FebruaryIn the southwest, because our rainfall/snow accumulation is so low, it takes 100+ acres to feed one cow for a year. It also requires that we move our cattle to or from various areas on the ranch, making sure tanks have water and forage is still available. What would a ranch vacation be without the experience of working and moving livestock as they did 100 years ago?
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Rate for Roundup Week: $1700 per Person
2013 Roundup Dates
May 26-31, 2013 ~ & ~ September 22-27, 2013
In order to sign up for Roundup Week, riders must: |
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* be in
good physical condition, able to ride comfortably at every gait daily
for 6-7 hours in very rugged, rocky terrain. Intermediate and Advanced riders are recommended. |
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* be
willing to participate in all ranch chores every day
beginning at 6:45 a.m. and ending when every horse is
unsaddled, washed, brushed, fed and put away, pens cleaned at the end of the day. |
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*
understand that this is a working ranch - not a dude
ranch. The work you are participating in is
meaningful, has a purpose and is important to the economics
of the ranch. Limited to 12 Riders. |
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Check-in: Sunday afternoon after 3 pm. Check-Out: Friday afternoon before 6 pm. |
You'll see incredible country and experience a
true taste of the "Old West". Not intended for inexperienced or
timid riders, this type of riding is NOT THE SAME AS ARENA
RIDING! It will often be strenuous and
challenging,
through steep canyons and rocky mesas and can often be at a
faster pace. Your horse will be
willing and tough. We hope you
are, too! The Gila National
Forest adjoins our ranch's entire northern border for nearly 5 miles. The roundup
area includes 6000 thousand acres of private ranch land as well
as 21,000 acres of Forest Permit currently occupied by cattle which need to be gathered and brought back to the corrals at
headquarters. Finding them will be
challenging! Remember -- you've
still got to get them back to the branding pens! This
is never
as easy as it sounds!
 Take advantage of
this opportunity to
try your hand at roping calves in the working corrals, help us with branding, vaccinating and banding. You're sure to improve all your cattle and horsemanship
skills! The work has purpose, is rewarding and challenging! Why not saddle
up and ride with us! Contact Headquarters at 575-535-2048 for more information. Because we calve
throughout the year, we
nearly always have some kind of cattle work to do. If you're looking
to participate in the experience of a lifetime - join us! Anytime you plan a trip to
Double E Ranch it's likely you will round 'elm up, head 'elm up and move 'elm out! Not recommended for anyone who is not in good physical condition,
a timid rider or a beginner level rider.
How to Move Cattle at Double E Ranch
Methods for working cattle at the Double E Ranch during round up in mountain country differ from those suitable for open or prairie
country. Here, drives and/or circles are generally made from different
sections of the Ranch: "The
Box", "Cottonwood Area", "Dog Springs", "Roasts Cabin" or "First
Valley". The entire territory requires several days to cover as
the country is rough and we return to Headquarters every evening, for a hot meal
and comfortable bed. If you "click" on the diagrams to the right, the picture will enlarge.
  The Trail Boss is always in charge of the Drive, Gather or Round Up. Everyone takes
direction from him. Riders are generally split into groups and can go in
opposite directions. Riders may be "dropped off" at various
intervals. The riders try to help each other and keep the cattle from
getting away up some canyon or other. The cattle are slowly moved toward the designated gather point, such as "The Box".
When
cattle are well strung out, they will walk better and are more readily handled,
making the job easier on the stock and riders.
The "Point
Riders" are generally experienced cowhands and generally know the country
they are
traveling. They point the herd in the right direction and it is
their job to see that there are no cattle in the way of the herd. When a
Point Rider leaves his position, the "Swing Rider" on his side
advances and takes over the front position.
The
"Swing Rider" keeps the herd from cutting across trails when it is
swung to one side sharply and also to keep the herd well strung out.
The
"Flank Riders" keep the lagging cattle, narrowed down to only a few
head. The weakest and the most tender-footed stock moving with the herd
are usually found slowly falling behind. The strongest and fastest cattle are in the head of
the herd and decide the pace.
In
corralling a herd, you have to take precautions similar to those for handling
wild stock. Time has to be given to the stock to go through the gate and
if they are crowded too closely with riders some critters will break back between the
riders and high-tail it for yonder. Remember to NOT position your
horse in front of a gate. Cattle need to see the opening. They won't
pass through the gate if they are looking at you.
Hold
the main bunch till it's corralled and then take out after those that broke out.
circle them back and corral them by riding in close formation. Shove them
through the gate of the corral at a rapid pace so they will not have time to
turn back and make another getaway.
Remember
-- getting the job done is important. But, having fun doing it is
important, too! If you have problems, or have questions, tell one of the
wranglers. Everyone is happy to help you out.
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