Wyoming Working Ranch Holiday

Introduction

Live your cowboy dream on this ranch holiday in Wyoming! You can learn barrel racing, lassoing, will go on trail rides in the beautiful area surrounding the ranch an will spend a night in the mountains. You can learn to work with cows and will help with the training of the horses. Riders of all levels are welcome, all riders will get instruction on western riding and more experienced riders can help train young horses. You will also go to Cody to visit the rodeo!

Itinerary

There is no fixed itinerary, the activities will depend on the wishes of the riders. The day will start around 7 AM with a good breakfast. After that, you will go to the stables to work with the horses. Depending on your preferences and the horses that need to be worked, you will ride or do groundwork for example.

Inexperienced riders will be taught all aspects of handling horses. You will learn how to lead, brush and tack your horse. You will practice in the round pen first, before you ride in the bigger arena. You will ride experienced horses who are suitable for new riders. The instructors are very  knowledgeable and will take you through the basics of riding step by step. Before you know it you will be trotting around and go on trail rides!

The riding style is western but you don’t need western experience to participate in this riding holiday. More experienced riders will also get instructions on western riding. If you are an experienced western rider you won’t get bored, this riding style might be slightly different to what you’re used to or you can help train the younger horses. You can also practice barrel racing or roping!

Other than improving your own riding, you can also help train the (younger) horses. There is an obstacle course that is very good training for both the young and the more experienced horses. You will practice the ‘seasaw’, bridge or the gate in hand or under saddle.

Duaine is an experienced trainer who uses principles from different training methods to work with his horses. He uses aspects of Ray Hunt’s training, as well as Pat Parelli and other trainers. The work you will do depends on what the horses need but he can teach you about every aspect of training, from young foals to a horse’s first ride. You will do groundwork in the round pen, practice in the obstacle course or help teach the horse the basics of riding.

You will also go on trail rides. The ranch is surrounded by beautiful nature. You will ride at a property across the river, through the mountains and past a dam. Duaine also owns a beautiful lodge in the mountains. You will do a longer trail into the mountains, spend the night at the lodge and ride back the next day. The ranch has a herd of around 30 cows for you to work with. You can practice separating cows or moving them to another pasture. There is also a large cattle ranch in the area where you might go to help them move their cattle if there is an opportunity.

Sunday is a day off, you can go for a walk in the area around the ranch or just relax in the lodge. During the week, you will also visit the town of Cody where you can shop for souvenirs, visit the museum and visit the famous Cody Nite Rodeo (June – August, ticket not included). You will have plenty to do during your riding holiday!

Horses and Riding

Most of the horses were born on the ranch and they have all been trained by the owner of the ranch himself. There are quarter horses, paint horses and crossbreeds. There are horses for every level of rider so there is always a horse that matches your riding experiences and wishes. You can try different horses during your stay.

The ranch also has young horses that need to be trained. Together with the owner, you will work with these youngsters. If you don’t have any experience training horses, you will start working with more experienced horses. You will learn a lot about training according to Natural Horsemanship principles.

There is a large indoor arena that is nice and cool during the hot Wyoming summers. The ranch also has a large outdoor arena. There are indoor and outdoor roundpens to train horses in and the ranch has stables but the horses spend most of their time outdoors, they stay in the field at night and in large paddocks during the day.

Accommodation

During your ranch holiday, you will stay in beautiful wooden cabins. There are two cabins with two bedrooms and one bathroom each. All the rooms are twins and you will share a room with a fellow rider. There is a lodge where you will have your meals and can relax after the riding, with a view of the river and the mountains.

You will enjoy good, homecooked meals. Breakfast is a typical American dish such as pancakes, bacon and eggs or French Toast. For lunch, you can make your own sandwich and there will be crisps and fruit. Dinner is a different dish every day, like lasagna or meat with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

The ranch is a family business, run by Duaine, his wife Sheila and their daughter Alix, who lives on the ranch with her family. Duaine’s son Zeb also lives on the property with his wife and kids. During your stay you will be welcomed by the family and experienced real ranch life in the American West.

Dates and prices

Dates:

May 26-June 2 2024
May 26-June 5 2024
July 8-July 15 2024
July 8-July 18 2024
August 5-August 12 2024
August 5-August 15 2024

Price 2024:

Price 8 days/7 nights: $2100
Price 11 days/10 nights: $2850

Included: airport transfer, accommodation in shared rooms, all meals, coffee, tea, water and softdrinks, riding and other ranch activities, transport to Cody for rodeo etc, English guides/instructors.
Not included: flights, visa, alcoholic beverages, extra activities such as a ticket for the Cody rodeo.