deefor
Well-Known Member
Any suggestions, on either of the above, somewhere where can learn to rope cattle, and / or do real work on a ranch . Looking for a last minute holiday...
Cattle Drives / Cowboy school - anyone done one in US?
- Thread starter deefor
- Start date
Festive_Felicitations
Well-Known Member
I have never done one the US, but have worked with cattle / taken tourists on 'cattle drives' in NZ, Argentina and Chile.
It is great fun! And if you can find some where go for it!
For a real rather than staged experience, try and find some where that is a real ranch and does a bit of tourism for extra $, rather than a dedicated dude ranch. Or a place that specifies good/experienced riders only. Other wise you get stuck with people that cannot trot, hell to look after if you are the guide and boring to be stuck with =)
But if you want a relaxing holiday may be go to a dude ranch...I have been told that I have an odd definition of 'holiday'.
How long do you have?
If you want to work on a ranch I know a good place in Argentina.
If not try the organisatin WWOOF they are international org. and list farms (generally organic) that take on backpackers/travellers who work in return for food, board and laundry. Often you do an agreed amount of work and than have some time to your self (ie work three days have 2 days to explore by your self) the exact set up and how long you stay is between you and the farmer.
I have done this a couple of times and had a wonderful time, made some great friends and ended up working almost full time as I was enjoying myself so much!
Failing WWOOF there are other organisations that help backpackeers find farm experience, hit Google.
BEWARE western saddles can be VERY VERY HARD! Pieces of sponge in your jeans back pockets can save you saddle sores (tip from a brazilian cowboy so no shame in doing it just remeber to remore them as yu dismount else you look deformed =)
Dust can be a pain in the neck, there is a reason all cowboy films portray them with handkerchiefs around their necks....
Erm that was rather long, but if you have any more Qu pm me...=)
It is great fun! And if you can find some where go for it!
For a real rather than staged experience, try and find some where that is a real ranch and does a bit of tourism for extra $, rather than a dedicated dude ranch. Or a place that specifies good/experienced riders only. Other wise you get stuck with people that cannot trot, hell to look after if you are the guide and boring to be stuck with =)
But if you want a relaxing holiday may be go to a dude ranch...I have been told that I have an odd definition of 'holiday'.
How long do you have?
If you want to work on a ranch I know a good place in Argentina.
If not try the organisatin WWOOF they are international org. and list farms (generally organic) that take on backpackers/travellers who work in return for food, board and laundry. Often you do an agreed amount of work and than have some time to your self (ie work three days have 2 days to explore by your self) the exact set up and how long you stay is between you and the farmer.
I have done this a couple of times and had a wonderful time, made some great friends and ended up working almost full time as I was enjoying myself so much!
Failing WWOOF there are other organisations that help backpackeers find farm experience, hit Google.
BEWARE western saddles can be VERY VERY HARD! Pieces of sponge in your jeans back pockets can save you saddle sores (tip from a brazilian cowboy so no shame in doing it just remeber to remore them as yu dismount else you look deformed =)
Dust can be a pain in the neck, there is a reason all cowboy films portray them with handkerchiefs around their necks....
Erm that was rather long, but if you have any more Qu pm me...=)
rosie55
Well-Known Member
hi, i have been on a ranch but not a working one but i do know that the TX Ranch is very good. There is a link on www.sovereignquarterhorses.com who are in cambs and they will advise you as they have a tie-up with them. Also suggest looking at the various ranch holiday companies in the uk eg ranchrider.
good luck!
good luck!
deefor
Well-Known Member
thank you.. two v good suggestions i hadn't thought of.... will hit google now
Penguinboots
Well-Known Member
You could have a look at this too, it's similar to the WWOOF thing: http://www.helpx.net/
I'm hoping to do something similar in Canada next year...good luck!
I'm hoping to do something similar in Canada next year...good luck!
Attila_the_Hungry
Well-Known Member
I've been on a few horse holidays, and have always booked through In The Saddle. They have a number of places in the USA and Canada (as well as elsewhere in the world), and if you give them a ring they will try to somewhere that is right for you. I went to a ranch in Wyoming which was amazing; but unfortunately it was sold and is no longer open.
P.S. I don't work there, just a satisfied customer!
P.S. I don't work there, just a satisfied customer!
Tharg
Well-Known Member
What would be the best time of year to go? (not too hot or rainy)
Festive_Felicitations
Well-Known Member
Erm if the question was aimed at me...
It depends on where you are going. But in general I would suggest Spring or Autum you tend to get a bit of hot and cold weather and not too much of either. And alot of stock movement happens then either too sales, for branding, or moving them to summer/winter pastures is going on.
If you are heading for NZ definetly go in summer, winter is just stupidly cold...well I suppose English actually. (Its been a while since I did a winter in the UK =)- ) and on all the large, high country stations mounted stock work is limited/stopped by snow.
Argentina, Chile, and large parts of Australia are very HOT and dry over summer think 35C minimum. Argentina averaged 38 C at 8am in the shade, with tops of 48C for 3 weeks in Jan while I was there.
It depends on where you are going. But in general I would suggest Spring or Autum you tend to get a bit of hot and cold weather and not too much of either. And alot of stock movement happens then either too sales, for branding, or moving them to summer/winter pastures is going on.
If you are heading for NZ definetly go in summer, winter is just stupidly cold...well I suppose English actually. (Its been a while since I did a winter in the UK =)- ) and on all the large, high country stations mounted stock work is limited/stopped by snow.
Argentina, Chile, and large parts of Australia are very HOT and dry over summer think 35C minimum. Argentina averaged 38 C at 8am in the shade, with tops of 48C for 3 weeks in Jan while I was there.