SUNDRE, Alta. – In 1909 the Brewster Brothers Transfer Company established winter pastures for its pack and guiding horses at what was known by the native community at the time as the Ya Ha Tinda or Mountain Prairie.
The area’s unique prairie grassland and unusually mild winters made it an attractive winter location, despite being located higher than nearby Banff at an elevation of 5,600 feet. Teepee rings and other artifacts are evidence of seasonal native habitation and the Stoney people made it their winter home in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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Since 1917, that 10,000 acre ranch has been home to the National Park Service’s warden horse program in Western Canada.
Located 85 kilometres northwest of Sundre, the facility winters as many as 170 park horses and helps train horses and wardens for the park service.
The ranch has been outside the Banff National Park boundary since 1930, but borders its eastern side. Nearly 30 km of the headwaters of the Red Deer River form another boundary. Waterfalls that drop 90 metres and herds of wild horses and wintering Banff elk make for sightseeing opportunities.
A staff of four, visiting biologists, park service wardens, tourists and horse programs from Olds College use the facilities.
In spring, trailer loads of horses bound for parks across the West are distributed and new wardens arrive for horsemanship training.
