|
Not many people manage to successfully combine work and love, but John and Sarah Chaney have done it. The love is for cattle, horses, healthy food and, of course, for their son J.R. and each other. Everything comes together at their Against the Wind Ranch, where they raise Black Angus cattle, produce and sell fresh natural beef and raise, train and sell horses, in addition to several other horse-related ventures.
“I started this business because I love working with horses and cattle,” said John Chaney, who has spent a lifetime studying the relationships between horses, cattle and humans. “I am also very health-conscious and I’m particular about my beef. It’s a good marriage of all the things that are important to me.”
The Chaneys run their business in two locations - in Montgomery County, Md., and in Highland County, Va. The Maryland location is used for winter calving, colt-starting, horse training, multi-discipline horsemanship, cattle working and roping, workshops, summer camp, horse boarding and lessons. The facilities there include indoor and outdoor arenas, round pen, jumps and access to trails.
During summer grazing season, the Chaneys turn out their cattle on several hundred acres at the Virginia location, where they also make their own hay.
“Our cattle live a natural lifestyle with clean springs to drink from, shelter in the winter and shade in the summer,” said Chaney. “Of utmost importance with our cattle is our approach to processing and handling, which is done humanely and with respect for the animals.”
Against the Wind Natural Beef is processed at small USDA-approved facilities, dry-aged for 14 to 21 days and flash-frozen. Rather than sell it to retail stores, the Chaneys market their beef in bulk directly to consumers through their website. Buyers can even stop by the ranch to pick out their beef directly from the pasture.
John Chaney’s expertise with horses gives him plenty of material for his monthly radio program, called “Horsing Around”. The program airs on two radio stations in the Washington, D.C., area.
He serves on the Advisory Council for Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR). John conducts clinics and workshops for MTR horses and volunteers.
John also offers Against the Wind Ranch Leadership Adventures, a unique team-building program that brings people together with horses, to create a dynamic learning opportunity.
Sarah Chaney rides in a stock saddle when helping out with the cattle, but is also an accomplished hunter, jumper and side saddle rider.
click here to visit their site.
####
|
