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

[jewelsmac]

I have cowboyed for a number of years and managed large ranches. I have owned horses and mules for more than 40 years. In the photos of "Gunny" Ben's horse he is wearing a spade bit. These bits are for a highly skilled horseman and not a novice. If the horse was stepping on the rein and had this bit in it's mouth it would cause the horse to get excited. If someone who did NOT know anything about this bit and horses in general and yanked on the rein the horse could become agitated to say the least. Ben was a horseman and "Gunny" had a soft mouth I am sure. Lots of things could agitate the horse if it was left to wonder around overnight in the bush, that is for sure.

IMO, No way in hell did Ben turn his horse lose with his gear on (fully tacked). KR may know dogs but is he a skilled horseman ? I have no idea and wont speculate on that. This case has touched me deep because Ben is a cowboy and from Wyoming where I spent many years in the ranching community and in the saddle. I know the cowboys heart and soul, because I have one.

My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends and I sure hope they get some closure one way or another. I can't imagine the unspeakable grief they are feeling.

Dog_River

Thank you for your insight. Not sure why this one case has touched a nerve for some of us who know nothing about the cowboy way of life, but for some reason it has.

 

[Trudie]

Thank you for your insight. Not sure why this one case has touched a nerve for some of us who know nothing about the cowboy way of life, but for some reason it has.

Well, it sure is a mystery how a seasoned cowboy simply disappears. And, on his supposed last ride deviates from his normal protocol.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Thats how I read it. Looking for link. Loggers saw horse and were unable to catch it. KR was able to catch it and tie to a tree while he called. Found out 7 hours later who the horse belonged to.

Family of missing cowboy coming from Wyoming to aid in search
”Robinson called a few local cowboys at that time to notify them.....
“When they called me back at 12:30 p.m. — this really pissed me off — they told me that it was the manager of the Nicola Ranch’s horse, who had been missing since Saturday night. I don’t know why nobody knew.”

Ah, finally I remembered that there must be a reason why all of us have been trying to determine if he's been missing since the Saturday or the Sunday; KR told the reporters that. "“When they called me back at 12:30 p.m. — this really pissed me off — they told me that it was the manager of the Nicola Ranch’s horse, who had been missing since Saturday night...."

I wonder if all day Sunday LE were aware? Is it possible LE & NR had already notified SAR?

 

[Trudie]

Ah, finally I remembered that there must be a reason why all of us have been trying to determine if he's been missing since the Saturday or the Sunday; KR told the reporters that. "“When they called me back at 12:30 p.m. — this really pissed me off — they told me that it was the manager of the Nicola Ranch’s horse, who had been missing since Saturday night...."

I wonder if all day Sunday LE were aware? Is it possible LE & NR had already notified SAR?

But.....reports also state Ben was last seen @ 10pm Saturday. So, did he go missing after 10 pm? I’m going to assume he wasn’t seen @ 10 pm saddling his horse to check for strays. Hopefully his phone records clear up some confusion. Did he call/text anyone Saturday or Sunday? W/o knowing where he was supposedly seen @ 10pm, we don’t know, did he make it home, if he was off the ranch? Who had access to his horse & tack?
.....still can’t get the image of his devastated father out of my mind. Hope they make it home safely. Also hope this missing person case has a conclusion unlike some in the Merritt area our locals have mentioned.
Moo moo

 

[Trudie]

Family of missing B.C. cowboy makes emotional appeal for information

 

[zecats]

I have cowboyed for a number of years and managed large ranches. I have owned horses and mules for more than 40 years. In the photos of "Gunny" Ben's horse he is wearing a spade bit. These bits are for a highly skilled horseman and not a novice. If the horse was stepping on the rein and had this bit in it's mouth it would cause the horse to get excited. If someone who did NOT know anything about this bit and horses in general and yanked on the rein the horse could become agitated to say the least. Ben was a horseman and "Gunny" had a soft mouth I am sure. Lots of things could agitate the horse if it was left to wonder around overnight in the bush, that is for sure.

IMO, No way in hell did Ben turn his horse lose with his gear on (fully tacked). KR may know dogs but is he a skilled horseman ? I have no idea and wont speculate on that. This case has touched me deep because Ben is a cowboy and from Wyoming where I spent many years in the ranching community and in the saddle. I know the cowboys heart and soul, because I have one.

My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends and I sure hope they get some closure one way or another. I can't imagine the unspeakable grief they are feeling.

Dog_River

RBBM
Yes! Yes! and Yes! And the horse's name is Gunny. Nice to finally know that.

 

[Dog_River]

RBBM.... what does this stand for ?

 

[zecats]

RBBM.... what does this stand for ?

Stand for Respectfully Bolded By Me...since I highlighted your text.

Here's the link for abbreviations here on WS:

Websleuths Lingo

 

[Dog_River]

Got it ! I found the lingo page to keep up with you guys/gals.

 

[Trudie]

Ben Tyner's family looking for answers

If anyone has info, I hope they watched this. Surely, they’d be compelled to call the tip line.

 

[zecats]

Family of missing Merritt cowboy makes public plea for information - KamloopsMatters.com

Pursuit of info with "re-interviewing witnesses" interests me. More to investigate perhaps. JMO.

Last week, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit was called in to help and to provide the Merritt RCMP detachment with additional resources. Police have said they're re-interviewing witnesses, locating any new potential witnesses, following up on tips and leads, and may conduct more searches if new evidence surfaces.

 

[Trudie]

Family of missing Merritt cowboy makes public plea for information - KamloopsMatters.com

Pursuit of info with "re-interviewing witnesses" interests me. More to investigate perhaps. JMO.

Last week, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit was called in to help and to provide the Merritt RCMP detachment with additional resources. Police have said they're re-interviewing witnesses, locating any new potential witnesses, following up on tips and leads, and may conduct more searches if new evidence surfaces.

Just the fact they have “witnesses” is a good thing. Hopefully someone’s starting to feel the heat! Moo

 

[zecats]

Just the fact they have “witnesses” is a good thing. Hopefully someone’s starting to feel the heat! Moo

Could be whoever last saw Ben Saturday afternoon. Or could be someone who maybe saw him that evening. And/or those who found his horse. I'm sure, if there are any suspicions, LE is holding their cards close. JMO

 

[Trudie]

Could be whoever last saw Ben Saturday afternoon. Or could be someone who maybe saw him that evening. And/or those who found his horse. I'm sure, if there are any suspicions, LE is holding their cards close. JMO

I’m glad, if it brings closure, tell us nothing until there’s big news. Most of us could see where this was headed from day one. Fairly easy to see 2 + 2 didn’t make 4, imo.
Looking back over Dean’s case, RCMP did ask for public assistance.
Moo

 

[Equestrian]

But.....reports also state Ben was last seen @ 10pm Saturday. So, did he go missing after 10 pm? I’m going to assume he wasn’t seen @ 10 pm saddling his horse to check for strays. Hopefully his phone records clear up some confusion. Did he call/text anyone Saturday or Sunday? W/o knowing where he was supposedly seen @ 10pm, we don’t know, did he make it home, if he was off the ranch? Who had access to his horse & tack?
.....still can’t get the image of his devastated father out of my mind. Hope they make it home safely. Also hope this missing person case has a conclusion unlike some in the Merritt area our locals have mentioned.
Moo moo

In regards to your question "Did he call/text anyone Saturday or Sunday?"...

I know a family friend had texted him on Sunday and did not receive a reply, which he found odd and out of character, and was how he became aware BT is missing.

I'm almost certain this was actually mentioned in a MSM article. I'll see if I can find it & add the link.

Found it. It WAS mentioned:
JD "said he tried texting Tyner on Sunday and found it odd when he didn’t get a reply. That’s when he learned that he was missing."

‘We’re coming for you’: Search on for ‘true American cowboy’ missing in B.C. backcountry

 

[Trudie]

In regards to your question "Did he call/text anyone Saturday or Sunday?"...

I know a family friend had texted him on Sunday and did not receive a reply, which he found odd and out of character, and was how he became aware BT is missing.

I'm almost certain this was actually mentioned in a MSM article. I'll see if I can find it & add the link.

Found it. It WAS mentioned:
JD "said he tried texting Tyner on Sunday and found it odd when he didn’t get a reply. That’s when he learned that he was missing."

‘We’re coming for you’: Search on for ‘true American cowboy’ missing in B.C. backcountry

Yes, I remember this. But how did JD learn Ben was missing Sunday? Ben’s horse was found Monday.

 

[Equestrian]

Yes, I remember this. But how did JD learn Ben was missing Sunday? Ben’s horse was found Monday.

Yes, I believe clarity was lost in how this was written. I don't believe JD found out he was missing on Sunday. But it does confirm that BT was not returning communication on Sunday as he normally would have.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Yes, I believe clarity was lost in how this was written. I don't believe JD found out he was missing on Sunday. But it does confirm that BT was not returning communication on Sunday as he normally would have.

Depending on where you are in the valley you will lose reception and may not be able to reply to texts in a timely manner. Sometimes, I receive texts but am unable to push through the reply. Also, much depends on your carrier and your phone, and if both parties are using the same brand of phone. Also, sometimes we force ourselves to put away our phones because it's considered rude if you're with people. JMO

 

[Trudie]

Depending on where you are in the valley you will lose reception and may not be able to reply to texts in a timely manner. Sometimes, I receive texts but am unable to push through the reply. Also, much depends on your carrier and your phone, and if both parties are using the same brand of phone. Also, sometimes we force ourselves to put away our phones because it's considered rude if you're with people. JMO

Yeah, if I don’t get a reply, I assume the person is busy.
I think equestrian is correct, clarity was lost somewhere in the storyline.

 

[zecats]

https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.c...missing-man-to-leave-merritt-without-answers/

Tyner, a manager at the Nicola Ranch, was last seen on Jan. 26. His horse was found near a logging road, riderless and in full tack, two days later. Police confirmed Wednesday that it’s believed a truck and trailer may have transported him to the Swakum Mountain or nearby service roads, but so far a driver has not come forward.

Upwards of a dozen different search and rescue groups have scoured the nearby mountains and backcountry. His family came to Merritt, from their hometown of Laramie, Wyo., to help as well. But after nearly a week of no sign of him, and increasingly poor weather, the search was suspended. The RCMP’s major crime unit was also brought in to ensure there are no missing links.

Jack said in a Facebook post that “God couldn’t have a better cowboy to watch his herd.”

He said his brother loved being a cowboy who always looked ahead to the next adventure. He recounted one of the last days he got to ride with his him in their hometown.