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The
Townsend Ranch located in Darby, MT is nestled in a valley between the
Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain ranges.
The impressive history of this ranch dates back 4
generation’s when Great Grandpa “Boney” furnished horses to the
US Calvary and Ernest Townsend became
one of three founding charter members of the Idaho Packers
Association. The ranch has
been handed down to each generation and is presently being managed and
operated by Larry and Janice Townsend who are currently raising and
training over 100 Paint and Quarter horses annually.
photo by Richard Peterson
Larry’s hands on experience since a boy has made him one of
the most respected trainer’s and breeder’s nationwide.
His philosophy is simple “Know how to understand
what your horse
is telling you”. If you
have the skills to recognize each horse as an individual, you will then
be able to understand his thought process; which in turn not only makes
your training sessions more effective, but also more enjoyable.
Larry’s career has spanned from the professional ranks of the rodeo
arena competing in all 3 rough stock events to a
national competitor in working cow horse, team penning, team
sorting, reining, and cowboy mounted shooting.
Larry was the featured performer at the 2002 Cultural Olympics.
Performing on his APHA Black Overo Stallion, “Texastea Wildthing”
for 22 ½ minutes in a sold out stadium with No Bridle, No Neck
Rope and making no contact with the horse by the use of his hands.
photo by Sam Garrett
The
ranches breeding operation consisting of 3
top bred stallions and 25 carefully hand picked broodmares. Larry’s wife, Janice, also an accomplished
rider
with
her background of
33 years as a registered nurse ranging from
working in the
emergency room to a surgical assistant brings a tremendous
foundation
to the ranch's breeding program.
photo by Garrett Cheen
Tammy
Townsend
first came to the ranch as a 10 year girl looking to buy
her first horse. Today, a
26 year old young lady with
16
years apprenticeship under Larry and
Janice; she is experienced in all phases of the operation, from breaking
and training colts to assisting in the management of the breeding
operation. She is also a
current member of the WPRA (Women’s Professional Barrel Racing
Association) and a National Champion
in Cowboy Mounted Shooting.
The
ranch takes full advantage of the 200 wilderness miles that lies out
their backdoor.
What
better conditions to build a solid foundation from colts being packed
out to ride the mountains, to the finely tuned performance horse using
the rugged terrain to maintain their top physical conditioning.
A
horse that is branded with Townsend Lazy TE brand, brings a top
bred solid foundation in which to pursue any equine endeavor.
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