It was the middle of a hot Midwestern summer when we took the plunge. We loaded up one horse, a saddle, and our belongings into a rusty horse trailer, and headed West. We had a ranch job waiting, and the future never looked brighter.
Still in our twenties, we had the optimism of youth and the energy to pursue our dreams. Little did we know how challenging ranch work could be, at times. The hard work, long nights, and scraping by wasn’t easy. But the satisfaction of saving a calf, community at a branding, good calf weights in the fall… the pleasure and satisfaction has far outweighed the difficulties. We have never regretted taking the plunge.
One of the most common questions I receive is: “how do I work on a ranch with no experience?”
Neither my husband or I grew up on a ranch. We had basic riding skills. We owned horses, we’d both been around cattle a bit, and we knew how to work hard. We were ready to move on from sticky Missouri and a boring construction job.
How to become a ranch hand with no experience.
The number one requirement is to genuinely want to change. If you are just dreaming, you won’t get anywhere. You need more than half-hearted daydreams. You need to have a strong desire; perhaps fueled by a dissatisfaction with your current situation. You need a plan.
You can be one of the thousands who talk and dream of the life you want, or you can start taking steps to get there. The choice is yours.
We have a friend who manages a large ranch, so I asked him: “What advice would you give to someone who wants to find a cowboy job, but doesn’t have experience?“
He gave me such a great list of tips, that I am sharing them word for word. I added a few notes of my own, but pay close attention to his advice!
Here is what he had to say…
How to become a rancher with no experience
(The words in bold are from the ranch manager, the rest are my notes)
1) Be patient.
You can’t expect to find a ranch job immediately when you have no experience. Keep the big picture in mind. Have long-term goals.
2) Target smaller, family operations. You should be willing to irrigate, fence, hay, an maybe some cattle work.
We have always worked for smaller family operations. The ranch we are currently on is the largest and set up a bit differently.
3) Get a job doing construction, fence, or operating machinery where you are at. Those skills are transferable.
My husband has done all types of work on the ranch – fencing, welding, construction, mechanic work, irrigation, night-calving, and the list goes on. It’s not always glamorous.
4) Move near the location you ultimately want to live and work, and get a non-ranch job if needed. It is always easier to interview and get to the know the community if you are already in the area.
This is one of the most important points, I believe. I have lots of people from the east who write to me looking for a cowboy job, but they aren’t willing to leave the security of their current situation. You probably won’t find a cowboy job when you have no skills and don’t know anyone.
5) Good attitude and effort will help keep a job.
Yes! Work hard, stay humble, be pleasant. One rotten attitude can bring the the whole team down.
6) DO NOT talk about how you want to live a certain lifestyle. As an employer, I hear “I don’t want to work as hard.”
This was a new one for me. But I can certainly see his point! I have met people who seem to be more concerned with their image than their work ethic.
7) Don’t over try to over sell experience or desire to work with horses. Horse people are a dime a dozen. That is really not a marketable skill. Basic knowledge is helpful, but that’s about it on most ranches.
Cowboying is more than riding.
Bonus: As a word of encouragement… Ranches need employees. Kids raised on a family ranch usually go back home. So, people who did not grow up on a ranch, but have interest in it are often the best long term employees. They don’t have a home ranch to go back to.
This is true! These kids run from ranch to ranch but always end up back at the home ranch when they get tired of something. We don’t have that choice. We have to make it work or find another job. It tends to make you put more effort into working hard and being valuable to your employee.
I hope this will help you learn how to get a job on a ranch, and maybe it will give you the courage to start working towards that goal.
If you are a ranch manager or owner, I would love to hear what YOU think is the most important advice to someone who wants to work on a ranch with no experience. Drop me a line in the comments or message me. 🙂
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Hello my name is Sarah and I’m 20 years old. I’m not sure if you’ll ever read this but I’d like to say thank you for giving this tips out. It’s been very difficult to find a job with horses and other ranch animals. I love horses and I have taken care of one myself for a bit but that was a while back and I would love to get a little more experience with horses. I’ve ridden horses many times and I’ve helped take care of a crazy retired race horse that belonged to a friend before. I helped brush, bathe her and muck out her stall. Even if she’s still crazy and has an urge for running I still think she’s the best lol. I do know those kind of horses are a bit tougher to handle because they are so energetic. But I only got to spend a little bit of time with her a long time ago and I want to get at least a year experience with horses so I can work with them. Most of the jobs I’ve been looking at require a year. Most of them are small family operations as well. Still looking for one that doesn’t require too much. It’s taking a bit but I’m still trying. But again thank you for your tips, they do help a lot.
I’m 54 next month, I’ve worked cows when I was a young man. I’m a retired wildlife officer in Florida & finishing up my last couple years with the national guard. I currently work at a local university doing maintenance work. I’m married kids are grown, would love to move west and work on a ranch/dude . The wife has worked her last 20 years in veterinarian field. I’m just wondering if I’m to old ??
It’s always worth a try! Especially guest ranches – they often have openings for older couples.
My name is Kelly Jean I am 50yrs young and worked a little bit on a horse ranch when I was 12 into 13yrs old. And I have missed it so much at the age of 13 I was paralyzed from my waste down for 2yrs..and Have made a full recovery over time…it wasn’t anything that happened on the ranch it was an experience that has given me hope to one day become a Ranch Worker simply because it’s a passion of mine that was taken from me and would love to do it again someday…
GOD BLESS YOU.
Hi, my name is Heath, and I am 45 years old. I have either owned or been around horses my whole life but, had some struggles in everyday life about 12 years ago. I have over the last 10 years been putting my life back together, and have found that I find my peace in the open out doors around horses and farm animals. I currently live on a horse farm on the east coast but, feel drawn to explore my options out west in pursuit of a job as a ranch hand. I don’t have experience in this as a job but, only as something that brings me joy, and what keeps me humble. Are there any websites that would help me to connect with the people that could assist me in making this happen?
You can try RanchWorldAds.com, or go on Facebook and find ranch job groups. That’s all I know to say!
Howdy… names Jeremiah Thomas. I spent most of my 20’s training for special forces and have experience in handling heavy equipment as well standardized smaller equipment from experience in landscaping and tree work. I currently live in Georgia, married with our first little girl (turns 2 in January). Wife gave me the green light to go after this and was hoping for some advice. I’m looking to get some experience in some volunteer work or find a seasonal gig, but I don’t want that position to be guest services or something similar, unless that’s just a step I have to take. I LOVE working hard EVERY DAY and something pulls at my soul when I see videos on this lifestyle or read blogs. Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be amazing. It’s easy to say that someone wouldn’t be disappointed in taking me on and showing me the ropes. I’m a fast learner, especially when it’s something I want. Hope to hear back soon. Thanks for the article. Wish you all the best!
I’ve been in construction sense I’ve been 10 years old, I am 29 years old. My name is Mihail but I go by Micheal because it’s easier to say. I have no experience at all around cattle or horses but I’m eagerly to learn. I’m a hard working man and a day learner. I’m willing to work long hours and have a good relationship with others. I just lost my job and looking for something good that that will keep alive and kicking for awhile. I’m hoping for something close to Houston. I don’t work Sundays but willing to make something work. I will take any job available and work my hardest to earn the respect I deserve. I was taught that respect is always earned and never given and I’m willing to work that hard to earn it.
I am a senior in high school trying to figure out what I am going to do with my life, as most are, and I found this story extremely encouraging and inspiring. I have always imagined the dream life to be living and working on a ranch. I think there is no other lifestyle that teaches you how to be hard-working, dedicated, humble, caring, and just an overall good human while being able to be around some of the most beautiful things on Earth. But, until this story and some more reading and research, I had basically ruled out this life from the picture because it seemed to be practically impossible and unrealistic. I have grown up in the city where the houses are only feet apart and yards aren’t suitable for many large dogs. I would love to have your lifestyle and follow in your footsteps. I still have the large barrier of being a broke highschool student and don’t know where to go after school. I would love to get more advice and information about your experience and how you made it possible.