Working cattle ranches

Is hacking a major factor in choosing a yard/buying a house?

  • Total voters
    0
A

atot

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 October 2007
Messages
3,966
Visit site
I haven't been on in a while, but was wondering if I could grab some tips/advice off those who can recommend a good working cattle ranch in the USA/Australia/NZ.

I'm starting to think about my gap year coming up, and would love to go to a working cattle ranch/station for anywhere between a fortnight to a month. However many of the websites/articles I've read appear to advertise expensive guest ranches, where you can flop around doing nothing.

I really want to be useful and make the most of my stay, and don't just want to just stay as a paying guest. In Australia I have found some direction towards outback cattle station work, which I understand to be very tough, and I am probably the last person they would pick having no experience of such work. I am really willing to put in the physical work, and am very enthusiastic, as long as I'm being useful!

Does anyone have any recommendations/tips for me?

thanks for any ideas.
smile.gif
 
I know someone who went to this place, http://www.epictrailscattledrives.com which is a holiday, but very much geared in such a way as you can do as much work as you want. Small scale and v friendly. Also depends greatly on what time of year/season you go what there is to do.

Few years ago I worked on a sheep station in Western Australia. I actually got a job as a mothers help ( not really my thing but work's work!!). But when I got there there was enough flexibility to do farm work or house work day about. I found the job in a Perth rural/ equestrian job agency. That farm and lost of others I came across don't use horses now though.
 
Thanks for the website, will do some browsing now! Have got lots more research to doregarding timing/season as you said, but I'm starting planning early so should have plenty of time!
thanks again.
smile.gif
 
You be carful you dont get falling in love with a handsome Auzzie - a girl i knew did just that and it broke her heart to receive (in those days) cassetts from him. He used to pled with her to marry him and go and live with his 20,000 sheep - but she would not leave her mum and dad. It was really really sad.
 
I went to a place called Chico Basin in Colorado - only for a few days as my husband was over there racing. Used to be a guest ranch but now it's a working one and I didn't want to go somewhere as a guest because I didn't think it'd be 'real life' enough. Had a brilliant, but incredibly hard time there. First job was to round up and bring back three wild horses from a 10,000 acre paddock! Second day started at 5am and was fixing fences and removing a stray bull from a herd of 1000 cattle in 100deg heat. There was a girl working there for the summer as a rancher - she'd been there three months and lost three stone.
Let me know if you want some more info. I'd def go again but for a few weeks this time.
 
ahah, brilliant as I've already got that link in my favourities! It looks brilliant. will PM you. thanks!
 
I went to Lonesome Spur ranch in Bridger, Montana (where Mr Evans "Horse Whisperer" stayed & wrote/based his book). Proper working ranch where we got to round-up, brand, vaccinate, tag & castrate stock if you wanted to. The horses only work when there's work to do including moving horses from high to low pastures, etc. Lonnie & Darlene were fab & we even got to build a tepee !! They have a website.
FAB !!
 
I went to Oz on a working holiday visa and ended up working on cattle stations in the northern territory. It was incredibly hard work but absolutely amazing. At least 12hr days, working feral cattle, mustering, drafting and best of all going to rodeos!

PM me if it's something you're interested in and I can give you more details. Highly recommend it!
 
Hello future Gap Year candidate!
If you want paid work no one in Australia will employ you for 2 - 4 weeks 2 - 4 months yes. You can get a Working Holiday Visa and join Visitoz which is the only organisation guaranteeing well paid work in the rural areas.
Almost anyone can work on a cattle station, you need to be fit and not afraid to get your hands dirty - and then you will be fine. If you can ride a horse you are streets ahead before you start. Have a look at www.visitoz.org
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top