Lazy M Ranch Welcome Page

Welcome to the LAZY M Ranch!

Since 1990 Lane and Margie Moore have opened their Ranch doors and offered guests from around the world the opportunity to become part of an Alberta ranch family.

Prior to that they worked hard at raising cattle and working their land, but with high land and equipment prices and low cattle prices it was a hard go. In 1990 they got the idea of starting a Guest Ranch. Their land, situated right on the North Raven Riiver, was a beautiful spot. They had the land; they had the cows and horses and Lane certainly had the horse sense! It took a long year, but they built the Lodge and opened their doors. Right away folks started coming and lots of them have been coming year after year ever since. About 40% of their guests are repeat customers and many have become good friends.

The Lodge they built is pretty inviting with its natural wood and old fashioned log porch. The views of the creek and across the valley are pure pleasure and can bring peace to a busy soul. Their original cabin is cosy and warm and perfect for guests as well. Lane and Margie simply invite folks in and everyone is welcome to become part of the family. Click Accommodations to see more of the available warm and comfortable lodging.

Beginning in 2007 there are a variety of changes for equine enthusiasts, fishing folk, birders, and relaxers as well as people from groups and businesses.

The LAZY M Ranch - approximately 2 hours from Calgary or Edmonton is perched on the banks of one of Alberta ’s finest Brown Trout spawning streams - the North Raven River.. The Ranch location is very central and an easy drive for guests arriving from either Calgary or Edmonton airports or for those groups exploring the National Parks and the rest of the Province by vehicle. Click on Directions for more detailed location information.

The primary focus of the Ranch is Natural Hoof Care and Horsemanship. This includes a lot of hands-on experience in most aspects of horse handling:

- ‘Natural Barefoot’ Hoof Care

- Healthy Feeding and Environments

- Ground & Round Pen Work

- Lunging

- Safe Leading

- Trailer Loading

- Saddling and Bridling

- Ground Driving

- Colt Starting;

- Problem Solving

- Some Riding Experience

Folks from all over Canada, the USA , UK, and Europe come to experience this very user-friendly method of horse training and handling and to work with Lane in learning natural hoof care. He is a Certified Barefoot Practitioner in Britain.

Click on Hoof Care if you are interested in learning more about our natural barefoot hoof care seminars.

We have had almost a year's experience working with a horse named Pistol who had severe laminitis in all four hooves. Click on 'Pistol's Story to read his amazing story and all we have learned.

We offer profiles of people who have worked with us and are committed to keeping their horses barefoot. Click on Profiles to read about horse owners who are into the barefoot movement.

Click HERE for what we have learned recently about how common fungus/thrush is in our horses and what to do about it - an important learning for all of us!

Click on Horsemanship for more seminar information and to read comments from previous Horsemandship participants.

The Ranch continues to be ‘home base’ for many fishing enthusiasts. Fly fishing folks from around the world classify the North Raven River (also knows as ‘Stauffer Creek’) as the PhD of fly fishing streams. The ‘hatches’ here begin early in the season, April & May, and continue throughout the summer until late fall when the Big Browns come up for spawning in September through early October.

Additionally, there is quite a variety of fishing close by, but the best way to discover fishing in Central Alberta is by ‘hooking’ up with the guiding services of Dave and Amelia Jensen of www.flyfishalberta.com. Many LAZY M fishing folk use the Ranch as their ‘base’ and take day trips in the area using this top notch guiding service. Evenings are often the best time to fish the ‘Stauffer’ – often guests come ‘home’ from a day of guided fishing to end their day in the peaceful surroundings, wading the crystal clear waters just below their ‘Fisherman’s Cabin’!

Click on Fly Fishing for more information.

For Birding enthusiasts the diverse topography around the ranch offers an equally diverse avian population.

Sand Hill Cranes, many species of Ducks, Song Birds, Hummingbirds, Birds of Prey etc. etc., can often be spotted from a comfy vantage point – for example a deck chair on the wrap around log porch.

Click on Birding for more information.

The LAZY M also caters to groups -- people who just want to get away from the busy world while pursuing their special interests. These include art groups who come for landscape painting; groups who come for reunions; Book Clubs who come for fun and friendly discussions, and Industry groups who choose the Ranch for its reclusive, serene atmosphere that is conducive for ‘thinking & growing’.as well as those desiring very private Executive Business Meetings. The Ranch has also been host to several brides and grooms who wanted a different and beautiful location for their weddings.

Click on Groups for more information on how you can hold your group activity here in beautiful, central Alberta.

The LAZY M has a unique Communication and Leadership Program known as ‘Traditions with a Twist’ which can be scheduled as a single acitivity or incoraporated incorporated into other group activities.

Click Traditions With A Twist for more information.

Individuals and families who want to learn more about horsemanship, folks who want the best in fly fishing, bird enthusiasts who want to enlarge their birding list, and many different kinds of small groups - professional and non-professional - find the LAZY M Ranch to be a special place.

Also, check out our Links page by clicking on the Links button to the left. We work with or are friends with many folks who offer great services or products - so check them out. You won't be disappointed.

We invite you to to join us for the full Lazy M Ranch experience. It's a great way to create new memories and make new friends from around the world.

Best regards,

Lane and Margie Moore

Owners and Hosts

The Lazy M Ranch

Caroline, Alberta, Canada

PS: We're still involved in raising Canadian Horses. Click on Canadians to learn more about the National Horse of Canada.