About Us

L&R Ranching
Larry & Rusty Martin

Ever since Larry can remember he wanted to be a cowboy. At the age of 13, he ran away from his home in Alma, Quebec, Canada and headed for Calgary, Alberta on the train. Having arrived there he promptly lost his luggage and not speaking a word of English, he headed for the country where he knew ranches would be. He got his first job riding range and living in cow camp. 40 years later he's still at it.

In the 1960's ranches ran hundreds of horses and they were brought in as 5&6 year olds to be broke. Things were different then, you roped them and saddled them up as best you could and topped them off. You then went out to do a days work on a horse that wasn't even halter broke. (that was what the old timers expected, and if you wanted to cowboy, you did what was expected) Larry soon saw that he was gifted with horses and became the rough string rider for every ranch he worked on. He also rodeo'd quite abit at that time, riding saddle broncs, and placing everytime he rode.

Larry also has trained and showed cutting and reining horses for a few trainers and riding all types of horses over the years and putting on many, many miles he learned ALL about horses. The way they think, move and learn. He's experienced it all!! And learned many tricks to handling horses. He learned also that the showring, arena, competition and limelight was not where his heart was at. He loved the solitude and simple life of a cowboy, and he followed his heart.

As clinics became popular he checked out a few, one of them being Ray Hunt. Some things he agreed with, some he didn't. One thing he did learn, they hadn't learned any horse training techniques that he hadn't figured out over the many years of constant cowboyin' and training. Being on a horse 6-7 days aweek all day long, sometimes putting on 50-60 miles aday, teaches a gifted person much!!

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From my earliest memories, I remember always loving horses! As I grew, I lived and breathed horses. Constantly riding and working, and training . Thats where all my spare time was spent. I knew I had to marry a cowboy. Not finding any in my area I joined "cowboy Connection", advertised in the back of Western Horseman. I stumbled upon "the" cowboy I wanted. My husband says the Garth Brooks song "whatcha gonna do with a cowboy", was written for me. He figures I had no idea what I was getting into. Well......I didn't. But it was sure right!!!

I met Larry in Jan. 1987, and 2 weeks later we married. I was working with a cutting horse trainer in Oregon at the time, but I immediately packed my bags and followed my cowboy to Canada. I started working with Larry on a ranch that he was managing in Millarville, Ab. I loved the life, it fit me like a glove! I also loved the aspect of riding, but yet giving your horse a job to do.

We've just celebrated 16 years of marriage. I have seen lots of country, cowboyed on several outfits, and worked with lots of different cowboys and horsemen. But I must say that I am very blessed to be able to learn and work with one of the top hands in the industry, Larry.

We started our business in 1996, raising and training horses to supplement our cowboy wages. And we also raise and train cow dogs. I have pretty much taken over the horse training end of things, with Larry just overseeing.

In may of 2002 we sold everything and moved back to the states. We were fortunate to get a good cow camp job near wells, Nevada. We love it here, and are making Wells our home. Still riding the range, working cows, horses and dogs, following our hearts.....

We've made some changes in our lives within the past few months. I'll be updating this page soon to tell you how we are doing.

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