JX Cattle Company (NM)

New Mexico

In Depth

The JX Ranch is a 7,000-acre working cattle ranch and guest ranch, not a "dude ranch", located in northeastern New Mexico, and is owned and operated by us, Tom and Mimi Sidwell. On this scenic ranch we pasture around 400 head of cattle (yearling steers). During the summer months we take in Guests, no more than four at a time, who want to ride our ranch horses, and experience life on a cattle ranch.

We ride in the mornings to check the cattle and waters. When it's time to move the herd, you help gather and drive the cattle to a new pasture. We use a grazing management that places emphasis on giving the plants a long period of rest before being grazed again. This requires frequent rotation of pastures.

At an altitude varying from 4,400 feet at the lowest point, to almost 5,000 feet at the highest, the JX Ranch offers a rugged beauty in its diversity; from above the Caprock you have a spectacular view over the Quay valley below, with open, rolling country.

Because the JX Ranch is a cattle ranch and not a dude ranch, we do require that you have some riding experience. We do not ride nose to tail, but spread out when the terrain allows and you need to be able to control your horse. The terrain can be rough and steep in places. Our horses are gentle working ranch horses, but they are not dude horses. If you are not sure if you are an experienced enough rider, please e-mail us, or call us and we'll talk.

In the afternoons we usually have a dozen ranch chores to do, anything from fixing or building fences, brush control, putting out salt and minerals for the cattle and the wildlife, or anything else that may come along. We will be working on improving the water availability and distribution on the ranch to allow for better grazing management. You are more than welcome to join us and lend a helping hand.

When we have a little free time, we may practice roping the "roping dummy". You may elect to take a drive in the afternoon to nearby Ute and Conchas Lakes, with boating, fishing and swimming. There are a few sites to visit in an afternoon in the area. Throughout the summer months there are local rodeos and ranch rodeos in the area.

For those interested, we offer to teach you how to make your own Western riding chaps. we'll walk you through the process of making your chaps, which can be any type you want - chinks (shorter with fringe), batwings (large, flaring chaps) or shotgun chaps (straight legged). You can put your initials or brand on them, and you can stamp the belt if you want. You will be doing the work, and have the satisfaction of accomplishment when they are done!

Foreign Guests may like to know that between the two of us, we speak French, German, Swedish, and some Spanish too!

Activities

Cattle Drives, Ranch Work

Additional Activities

BYOH - Bring Your Own Horse, Ranch, Trail Riding, Western Riding

Accommodations

You'll be staying in the "bunk house", an old remodeled homestead house, located at the JX Ranch Headquarters. The JX Ranch Headquarters sits in the shadow of the Caprock, a 400 feet steep escarpment that traverses the ranch. The bunkhouse is comfortable and cozy, with a kitchen, bathroom, living-room with a large rock fire-place and 2 beds, and bedroom with 2 beds.

Food

We stock the bunk house with food items for you to fix your own breakfast and lunch at your leasure - we serve supper at our house in the evening. For an additional fee, we will serve all 3 meals.

Area Attractions

This is ranching country, and does not offer many tourist attractions. However, we do have a few sites of interest. Also, throughout the year, and especially during the summer months, just about every little town puts on a rodeo or other small town event. Also larger towns, such as Amarillo, Texas, put on several rodeo and horse events.

Ute Lake Park and Conchas Lake State Park, both about an hours drive from the ranch, offer a wide variety of water sport activities including boating, fishing and water-skiing.

Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner. Billy the Kid was a frequent visitor in Fort Sumner, where the 21-year-old outlaw was shot to death in 1881 by Lincoln County Sheriff, Pat Garrett. The Kid used William H. Bonney as his name even though he was born Henry McCarty. He also used the name Henry Antrim, taking the name of his stepfather.

Today, Western enthusiasts from around the world flock to the village nestled along the Pecos River to view the final resting place of the "Kid." In June of each year, the Village of Ft. Sumner celebrates the legacy of Billy the Kid with Old Fort Days. The weeklong celebration combines the nostalgia of the western outlaw with the hospitality and charm of rural New Mexico.

Palo Duro Canyon, south of Amarillo, Texas. Man has inhabited Palo Duro Canyon for approximately 12,000 years. The Clovis and Folsom people first resided in the canyon and hunted large herds of mammoth and giant bison. Later on, other cultures such as the Apaches, Comanches, and Kiowas utilized the canyon's abundant resources. Early Spanish Explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon "Palo Duro" which is Spanish for "hard wood" in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees. However, an American did not officially discover the canyon until 1852 when Captain Marcy ventured into the area while searching for the headwaters of the Red River.

American Quarter Horse Heritage Center % 26 Museum in Amarillo, Texas. You'll enjoy many hands-on, interactive exhibits, fascinating artifacts, dramatic video presentations, live demonstrations, and breathtaking works of art. There's even a research library for serious owners and enthusiasts. This beautiful and friendly facility is located right next to the American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo, Texas.