Meet Your Host - Double Rafter Cattle Drives
“Compared to us, City Slickers is a pony ride."
-- Dana Kerns.
Arriving by covered wagon from Missouri in 1887, the Kerns family has a long tradition of raising cattle in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains.
Dana and Alice Kerns, who own and run Doublerafter Cattle Drives, share their Western traditions with guests on their authentic cattle drive adventures. Every trip starts with a horsemanship clinic led by a clinician, so that guests can feel comfortable before they're off on a multi-day cattle drive adventure.
Learn what it takes to help the Kerns trail their cattle to summer pastures!
Equitrekking: What is the history of your ranch?
Dana & Alice Kerns: Our family ranch was homesteaded by my ancestors in 1887. The original barn that was built the following year is still there and is a functional barn.
When we started this business 18 years ago, we had to figure out some way to generate additional dollars for the ranch or get out of the business. In Agriculture, Mother Nature holds every ace.
Equitrekking: What level of rider do you need to be to visit your ranch and participate in a cattle drive?
Dana & Alice Kerns: Since we own our own horses, we can accept every level of rider. The trips are grueling so we don't allow kids under 10.
The days start early and finish when we reach our destination with the herd.
Equitrekking: Do guest’s have a favorite trail or activity? If so, what?
Dana & Alice Kerns: Since our trips are completely real and our pasture rotation changes every year, you would have to come about four years to see the whole allotment.
I think most people's favorite thing is the fact that for a full week they forget every problem that goes along with their everyday lives.
Equitrekking: What’s your favorite aspect of having guests on your Double Rafter Cattle Drives?
Dana & Alice Kerns: Meeting people from different cultures. We have had people from all over the world and it's refreshing to find that regardless of where you are from, people really all want the same thing out of life.
