CANADA Canada - Ben Tyner, 32, cowboy, his horse returned w/o him, Merritt, British Columbia, 26 Jan 2019

[Trudie]

I’m stunned Nicola Ranch hasn’t offered a reward. After all, Ben, is their ranch manager. Jmo

 

[watcher9]

I'd say with a horse, probably quicker to make a few phone calls to area ranches. Horse may have been branded as well. Who knows how many with long work days on ranches would be looking at SM. JMO

Wouldn't a knowledgeable tracker from the area know about branding and which brands were in the area?
When a horse is moved from one ranch to another, do they get the new brand and cross out the old one?

 

[zecats]

Wouldn't a knowledgeable tracker from the area know about branding and which brands were in the area?
When a horse is moved from one ranch to another, do they get the new brand and cross out the old one?

Good questions. KR didn't seem to know who the horse belonged to until he was called back. Maybe he did recognize the brand but not the fact that the horse belonged to a missing ranch manager.

Not sure about brands. How many brands could a horse end up with if changed every time relocated to new ranch?

 

[Dog_River]

Ben brought Gunny with him from WY. therefore he was owned by Ben not the ranch. Ben more than likely notified the brand inspector upon his arrival. Gunny would not have had the NR brand.

 

[Trudie]

Wouldn't a knowledgeable tracker from the area know about branding and which brands were in the area?
When a horse is moved from one ranch to another, do they get the new brand and cross out the old one?

I think Ben’s horses wear his family brand.
I have two horses with brands, I’ve never altered them (one is a cool peace sign). NR would have their ranch brand for their horses & cattle.

Ze, probably a livestock brand inspector in Merritt was called in to verify it was Ben’s brand/horse, after NR already knew it was.

 

[Trudie]

Ben brought Gunny with him from WY. therefore he was owned by Ben not the ranch. Ben more than likely notified the brand inspector upon his arrival. Gunny would not have had the NR brand.

Right! And, the brand inspector can find the brands online.

 

[Trudie]

Home - Ownership Identification Inc.

^^^ here ya go, some info on brands/inspections in Merritt.

 

[Rangerdr]

True enough, just an avenue its surprising no one seems to have pursued before Ben was identified as the owner around noon that day. Seven hours give or take is a long time.

 

[zecats]

Ben brought Gunny with him from WY. therefore he was owned by Ben not the ranch. Ben more than likely notified the brand inspector upon his arrival. Gunny would not have had the NR brand.

Yes good point. I was thinking that was likely. So notifying brand inspector keeps it on file in case the horse gets lost, like in this case.

 

[Tripod]

Current highway cam for south of Merritt looking north

Current highway cam for just north of Nicola

Nicola is pretty much between those 2 cams.

Current weather forecast for Merritt

Much appreciated, Sillybilly!

 

[Tripod]

Just took this, picture of current weather in merritt and amount of snow

It doesn't look too bad, as far as snow accumulation- at least in that photo. I'm sure locals who are able, will search when they can.

 

[foxbluff]

In Post #877, @Trudie said: "I don’t think there’s any concern someone else rode the horse. IMO, the concern is did Ben ride his horse & how did Ben/horse get to the area horse was found. Trailered?
Did Ben even ride that day?
Some of the latest info can’t be posted on WS yet, MSM needs to pick it up first.
Moo"

My apologies @Trudie, @zecats, and all posters here for my not responding timely to replies to my postings. That, imo, makes it appear that I'm indifferent, but that's not the case at all. Actually, given how seldom I post anymore, I'm always surprised and delighted that someone bothered to respond! lol O/T: Due to an old/tired mind and an old/tired PC... the latter which refuses to mesh w/WS format... I struggle to reply to posts. (Please do NOT address the last sentence.)

Now, back On Topic of Trudies' post copied/pasted above.

If I'm understanding you correctly, then you're currently leaning towards thinking that BT didn't go riding that day!?! IF he didn't ride that day then, imo, that makes the horse a "red herring" and we're looking at staging. And if it's the kind of staging that comes to my mind then, imho, BT won't be found anywhere near where Gunny was found.

It's just all so sad...

 

[Trudie]

In Post #877, @Trudie said: "I don’t think there’s any concern someone else rode the horse. IMO, the concern is did Ben ride his horse & how did Ben/horse get to the area horse was found. Trailered?
Did Ben even ride that day?
Some of the latest info can’t be posted on WS yet, MSM needs to pick it up first.
Moo"

My apologies @Trudie, @zecats, and all posters here for my not responding timely to replies to my postings. That, imo, makes it appear that I'm indifferent, but that's not the case at all. Actually, given how seldom I post anymore, I'm always surprised and delighted that someone bothered to respond! lol O/T: Due to an old/tired mind and an old/tired PC... the latter which refuses to mesh w/WS format... I struggle to reply to posts. (Please do NOT address the last sentence.)

Now, back On Topic of Trudies' post copied/pasted above.

If I'm understanding you correctly, then you're currently leaning towards thinking that BT didn't go riding that day!?! IF he didn't ride that day then, imo, that makes the horse a "red herring" and we're looking at staging. And if it's the kind of staging that comes to my mind then, imho, BT won't be found anywhere near where Gunny was found.

It's just all so sad...

Hopefully some news will come. This must be so excruciating for the Tyner family. Hopefully, their WY ranch & work keeps them busy & gives them something else to think about, at least a few hours a day.

 

[zecats]

In Post #877, @Trudie said: "I don’t think there’s any concern someone else rode the horse. IMO, the concern is did Ben ride his horse & how did Ben/horse get to the area horse was found. Trailered?
Did Ben even ride that day?
Some of the latest info can’t be posted on WS yet, MSM needs to pick it up first.
Moo"

My apologies @Trudie, @zecats, and all posters here for my not responding timely to replies to my postings. That, imo, makes it appear that I'm indifferent, but that's not the case at all. Actually, given how seldom I post anymore, I'm always surprised and delighted that someone bothered to respond! lol O/T: Due to an old/tired mind and an old/tired PC... the latter which refuses to mesh w/WS format... I struggle to reply to posts. (Please do NOT address the last sentence.)

Now, back On Topic of Trudies' post copied/pasted above.

If I'm understanding you correctly, then you're currently leaning towards thinking that BT didn't go riding that day!?! IF he didn't ride that day then, imo, that makes the horse a "red herring" and we're looking at staging. And if it's the kind of staging that comes to my mind then, imho, BT won't be found anywhere near where Gunny was found.

It's just all so sad...

BBM Indeed that's definitely a place I've been leaning. No proof other than lack of proof that he did ride (no tracks FROM the ranch, no Ben anywhere near there, no indication of Ben's tracks off of horse, no phone with Ben, no one knew he was riding and that was not typical for him). Again just my strong hunch/opinion.

 

[Trudie]

BBM Indeed that's definitely a place I've been leaning. No proof other than lack of proof that he did ride (no tracks FROM the ranch, no Ben anywhere near there, no indication of Ben's tracks off of horse, no phone with Ben, no one knew he was riding and that was not typical for him). Again just my strong hunch/opinion.

I agree. I’m going to take a moment and see if I can find any news. Hard to come by.

 

[foxbluff]

deleted by fox

 

[Portabella]

I really don't think how Gunny was cinched matters, I believe he was saddled up by Ben. I don't see anyone doing something nefarious and then running the risk of going to his horse and saddling it and riding it or trailering it off to make it look like Ben did it, Too much risk and zero reward. So if your in my mindset, that means something happened when he went off on his ride, now something nefarious could have happened then, but deep in my heart I think it was an accident. IMHO

 

[DebW]

I really don't think how Gunny was cinched matters, I believe he was saddled up by Ben. I don't see anyone doing something nefarious and then running the risk of going to his horse and saddling it and riding it or trailering it off to make it look like Ben did it, Too much risk and zero reward. So if your in my mindset, that means something happened when he went off on his ride, now something nefarious could have happened then, but deep in my heart I think it was an accident. IMHO

I think the most logical explanation is the simple one - Ben was thrown from his horse and was unable to recover from that. MOO

 

[Trudie]

I think if Ben is missing as a result of a riding accident, his family would not ask for tips, MCU would not be involved & a special tip line would not be in place.
Moo

 

[Tripod]

I think if Ben is missing as a result of a riding accident, his family would not ask for tips, MCU would not be involved & a special tip line would not be in place.
Moo

Since no one yet has solid proof as to what exactly happened to Ben, I believe LE is simply making sure all bases are covered. I think they have to, and this case has gotten a lot of widespread publicity. I would hope the same would be done, resource-wise, for every single case here, even though sadly, it sometimes seems that it isn't. Continuing prayers for Ben and family.