I completed some college, and have dreamt of owning a horse and living on a ranch for the longest time. My head is always up in the clouds, and I ride every now and then but haven't had any real training. I would love to find a ranch that i could do barnwork in and be allowed to ride, as well as live there. I want to know from any of you that had this experience what it would take for someone of my level to find a place like this? I'm soo caught up in this fantasy that I can't think of what else to do. I've emailed all sorts of Ranches and nobody needs barnwork done. Any suggestions?
2007-02-27 15:02:53 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I live in the SF, Bay Area of California but reside in the East Bay
2007-02-27 15:05:38 · update #1
a couple of years ago i worked for sombrero ranches in colorado guiding trail rides in the mountains. i dont think they let you have your own horse there but it is still a cool job. if you have a little experience with horses your almost guranteed a job. you have to live at the ranch. there are also tons of other similar ranches out there. check out coolworks.com it should help.
2007-02-27 15:46:37 · answer #1 · answered by walker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My whole family grew up riding horses but when there was a death in the family relating to a horse and most of the brothers quit riding. When my sister was about three we went to ride horses at my uncles house and she decided that she wanted a horse. My parents told her that she would have to know a lot about horses first and she joined T.R.E.C. a therapeutic riding group. She soon surpassed everyone there and we went to riding lessons together we started going to camp and we have been going there for 10 years now and are in the highest level. She also started working there about 3 years before you are supposed to be allowed waking up at 6 o'clock so that she could be there by 7. She is now 15 and has owned her own horse for over a year. She also stays at the ranch for multiple weeks over the summer and not everyone there know what to do around horses so don't give up on the dream.
2007-02-28 06:07:01 · answer #2 · answered by book_crazy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I answer this from personal experience.....wanted to own a horse, live on a ranch etc. What I suggest is contacting guest ranches across the states you are willing to work in (don't just limit yourself to CA) and find out if they are still looking for summer help. Even if they have all their wranglers hired (and you usually have to have quite a bit of horse experience for this) apply for house keeping or kitchen help. These jobs aren't the most glamorous but they would enable you to live on the ranch and ride on your days off and in the evenings. This would also get your foot in the door to be a wrangler for the following year at the same place.
I have worked for guest ranches for several years and I love it. I also haul my horse to every one and the nice thing is......they pay for my horse to be there (as long as she's used for ranch work) from feed to the farrier to worming and shots.
I usually work in CO, MT, WY or ID in the summer and head for NM or AZ in the winter.
Working for these ranches is a lot of hard work and a lot of fun, and you will make some great friends, just try not to be too picky about where you start and in time the good things come.
2007-02-27 17:21:23 · answer #3 · answered by Riley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well,
i suggest u take some lessons, find a friend who owns a couple of horses, or do something like that so u can get some experience.
people always want experience.
after that, see what happens, who knows, maybe where u take ur lessons or ur friend will want to hire you...
it is expensive and hard work to own a ranch, i would suggest maybe finding a career first that will allow you to afford a horse and a ranch. that way you can afford it and still work on it as a hobby.
good luck!
ps- that is my dream too, altho i have the horse already!!! :)
2007-02-27 15:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cow Girl Up, age 22, is my grangirl. At age 12
on way to school, she detoured onto a ranch to
demand owner give her chance to learn every
thing about horses, the ranch, & be a barrel
racer. No e-mail shows the enthusiasm you breathe out nor the desire you inhale. Go to
your area rural horse properties & just DO IT!
By age 16, she owned 4 horses, won !st Place
in Nat'l Rodeo Jr. Comp. Barrel Races at San Jose,CA & trains kids age 8 parents pay for.
Don't just hold a fantasy. Bring yours to life!
2007-02-27 16:10:34 · answer #5 · answered by LuckyLilTroll2U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of things you can do. Put an advertisment in the newspaper stating your interest of owning a horse/living on a ranch. Get a government grant or loan. They do loans first and then grants to start maybe a horse business. Move to Texas, or some other state with cowboys and cowgirls. :)
2007-02-27 15:09:37 · answer #6 · answered by IDoToo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only thing i can think of is finding a friend with a horse or asking someone if you could borrow their horse and you would repay by cleaning stalls, cleaning the barn, grooming the horses.....and also look into local ranch's in the area.
2007-02-28 02:19:16 · answer #7 · answered by lil_cj_121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check up in Lake county, it's in Northern California. I know we have lots of places that need that up here. YOu have to be able to call though, not everyone has email.
2007-02-27 15:14:49 · answer #8 · answered by supernatural_luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you have the dream, now you have to set a plan in motion! whatever you want in life you can get if you have a burning desire and faith (not just religious but like confidence) that you will get it! set the plan, set some goals, get in motion and it will get closer and closer. never give up either. i recommend napoleon hill's amazing book 'think and grow rich' , is just one that i reread every month.
2007-02-27 15:44:55 · answer #9 · answered by firemedic311 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have to start small at first-just mucking out stalls first in order to get connections-then move up from there-good luck!
2007-02-27 15:08:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋