Joel Lybbert has been training horses most of his life. His latest project has been an interesting one.
“Bullheaded… I think there is a reason for the term,” Lybbert said.
While the traditional cowboy rides a horse, Lybbert is riding his pet steer Jasper, a Texas Longhorn.
The young cowboy isn’t one to shy away from a challenge and used some cowboy logic to tame an unlikely companion.
“What makes you any better than the rest of the world is what’s different about you and I feel like this sets me apart,” he added.
“Surprisingly, a lot of people think he is a horse,” Lybbert said. “They look again and they’re like, ‘Wait, he’s got horns!'”
The pair has done some demonstrations and won over a few fans, none bigger than grandparents Cal and Marilyn.
“When I first heard about it, I was thrilled!,” Cal said.
Lybbert said the partnership has been in the works for quite some time.
He bought two-and-half-year-old Jasper just three months ago and the pair has some big plans for the future.
“My plan is to get into rodeos, events and one day the CFR and the Calgary Stampede,” Lybbert said. “Those are my goals.”
What was once an unlikely bond has proven to be the best fit for all.
“When I first got him I said, ‘I’ll break him out for a few months and then next spring we will butcher him out,’ but I don’t think I could do that anymore. He is definitely part of the family.”
You can follow Jasper and Lybbert to find out when their next performance is on Facebook.