About Us
A Heart For Tradition
At the heart of our business lies tradition and a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West. This avocational program teaches young cowboys and cowgirls ranching lifestyle, from the proper handling of horses and cows to the detailed work of fencing and water wells. This is a place where the legacy of the cowboy is celebrated and preserved, where the values of hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance are instilled in every student who passes through its gates.
The instructors here are seasoned veterans of the ranching industry, men and women who have spent their lives working and living in the western lifestyle. They are patient and demanding in equal measure, pushing their students to develop the skills and the character that will serve them well in a life on the range. For the students who attend, it is not just a place to learn the practical skills of the cowboy; it is a place to become a part of a proud and storied tradition that stretches back generations. And for those who are willing to put in the time and the effort, it is a place where dreams can come true, and the wide-open spaces of the American West are waiting to be explored.
What to expect
Our day starts with breakfast (family style)
Class begins when we are done and Lunch at midday and supper is when we are done with evening chores.
This is a “rough schedule” and subject to change depending on weather, participant skill level and the working schedule of the ranch.
Class runs Monday through Friday. Depending on the clinic you choose with determine arrival and departure days. Students arrive on the property the day before and 5:00-7:00 pm arrival time is preferable, please let us know if you will need to arrive earlier or later so we can accommodate.
What we will cover depends on the class you choose to take. Skills are offered at an Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced level. Consult with instructors to determine what is best for you. Some advanced classes may require a prerequisite.
Classes may include but not limited to the following:
1) Horse care which includes
· Catching, feeding and handling horses
· Moving horses to paddocks, stall care, doctoring, hoof care.
· Introduction to various styles of tack including saddles, bits, spurs, ropes, etc.
· How to properly evaluate a horse to ride, how to saddle and tack up.
· Groundwork and horse training
· Horsemanship and riding skills
· Roping
· Cattle work
· Trail Riding
2) Ranch water – how to evaluate water, pumps, plumbing, water troughs, float systems, etc.
· Use of tools and equipment to repair plumping.
· Water troughs and float systems
· This also includes some basic electrical introduction.
3) Fence work overview
· Tear down and building standard ranch fencing from start to finish
· Time and student interest permitting we will get into some basic welding.
· Electrical fencing
4) Truck/trailer work – trailer evaluation and safety,
· Hooking up to different styles of trailers.
· Moving trailer including backing up and parking.
· Loading/unloading horses and tack.
· How to haul a horse safely.
· Trailer maintenance and recommended equipment.
5) Tractor work
· Operation,
· Maintenance
· Moving dirt, round bales, etc.
· Using PTO and shredder
6) Hunting
· Animal Identification
· Tracking
· Harvesting
· Processing of meat and carcass
· Laws
· Safety
· Ethics of game harvesting
7) Camping
· Building camp
· Camp cooking
· Weather
· Knife skills/safety
· Fire Building
· Survival Skills