r/Cowboy

I am a horse person in Canada currently looking at buying acreage and setting up a horse barn.

I would like to appeal to appeal to adults in urban and suburban environments that have little to no experience with horses that are looking to break into the cowboy lifestyle. This is just an idea right now, so please let me know if this sounds appealing!

Would you sign up for these sorts of programs? Would you feel comfortable with the cost associated? Let me know your thoughts or send me a DM!

1. Weekend “cowboy up” camp where you’d gain first exposure to horses

- Designed to give a fast and dirty 360° overview of horse management, handling, and riding
- Could decide if the actual cowboy lifestyle and horses are for you without a full lifestyle change
- Gives you the basics of horse handling to give you a leg up if you wanted to pursue a ranch career

Estimated cost = $1500-2000 for 3 days including food and lodging

2. “Cowboy club” weekly drop-in sessions for adult beginners working in groups (overseen by coach) on various horse training methods

- Inclusive environment with other adult beginners looking to pursue cowboy life (not sharing time with kids or advanced riders)
- Ability to skill up at your own pace
- Horse handling hours can count towards certification courses in farriery or equine physio
- Building skillset to use towards ranch work, racetracks, show parks, or breeding farms

Estimated cost = $100 per 90 min drop-in

3. Competition pathway for Extreme Cowboy Racing (obstacle course races on horseback in an arena)

- Fastest growing horse sport in US, so lots of opportunities for future growth in both competitions and training horses
- Obstacles based on real-life ranch work, so doing well in the sport has a direct practical application
- Individual sessions on provided horse to focus on specific goals

Estimated cost = $100 per 45 min

Unfortunately, there is a common sentiment among "cowboys" that unless you have been there and done that, you can't wear a cowboy hat and boots, and you're never going to be a "real cowboy." There is also a sense of elitism, especially in the Mountain West, where it seems they lay claim to the Cowboy spirit and lifestyle. In truth, there are just as many, if not more "cowboys" East of the Mississippi River than out West, because the grass is greener, and population density and stocking rates are higher (more cows per acre of land). Stetson hats come from a Northeastern man. Cowboy boots are derived from the US cavalry boots of the 1800's. Most of our beef breeds come from northwestern Europe. Just because back East they push cows on foot or with a 4-wheeler it does not make their job any less "cowboy" than someone whose job is to round up cows on the cold desert ranges on horseback.

We also need to do away with acting like it's a good thing to cuss, chain smoke/chew dip, act like an arrogant a$$hole just because you rope and ride broncs, and generally act uneducated. I guarantee there are more people who act like mature adults who can do that work just fine without the vulgarities and unhealthy habits.

There is no need to glorify this job/lifestyle. Everyone is contributing to society in some shape and form, from the farmers in Illinois to fisherman in Maine, and everything in-between. Honestly, most of our beef comes from borderline Eastern states and California, places not exactly renowned for cowboy culture, so we can't act like the Western states "feed the country" any more than other states do.

Lastly, just because you have only experienced ranching style one way all your life does not make it the best or only viable way to run cattle or ride horses. Out of the hundreds of millions of acres of open land across the US and Canada, there are far more people who operate differently than you than there are those who do things the same way as you.

Sorry to run on like this in a negative light. Sometimes you just gotta get things off your chest.

I’ve been evolving my wardrobe recently and am sick of being stuck with shorts and a T-shirt in summer and want to start wearing pants but where I am it surpasses 90F/30C often, not uncommon to reach 100F/40C+ aswell and I run hot too so I don’t think I’ll be able to Chuck on a pair of jeans and go on my way but I also need a pair that are heavy duty enough so I don’t destroy them on my first wear. What do you guys wear in the summertime and do you have any recommendations?

So, apologies for the absolute poser vibe i'm going to give here.

I'm in the uk, and i kinda hate it. How easy would it be for me to get a job on a ranch in the states? Obviously, ignoring leaving the country, getting a visa etc; practically how easy is it?

I'm assuming i can't just walk up to a ranch anymore, but i don't know, and id love to. I adore horses, cattle, and the country life- i've a little experience farming, and living in the sticks i'm used to navigating the country a bit- i suppose i'm just sick of living in a shitty country working a shitty job. I could happily drop everything and move immediately (barring family and other shit) so i guess my real question is:

If i were to go to the states tomorrow, go to texas, or montana, or somewhere like that, how would i go about getting a job as a total beginner with no experience as a cowboy/cattleman?

All answers appreciated, honesty needed, and feel free to rib me, i know how i sound.

I get it, horses are cool, hats and boots are aesthetically pleasing, but pushing cows is dusty, dirty, full of cow pies, and generally nothing more than hard work. Why do so many people make it into some romantic dream? Do their views of it change once they've done it for a while? I enjoy it, and if it wasn't for the fact that it drove me to borderline bankruptcy I'd still be doing it, but dang man, some of you act like it's a job befitting demigods.

Hi I'm from the uk, and am very interested in life over there, so if you don't mind me joining. I might ask some stupid questions, but its a learning curve for me. We're going through the hottest, driest summer on record, and the animals are needing extra feed and hay. How do you guy's cope. Because we're rubbish.

Hi all! I’m looking for western stores that arent your typical Boot Barn or Cavenders in Kissimmee? Looking for a belt or buckle. Thanks!

I want a western belt I can wear with my dress pants and my jeans, would a 1.25 be a bad choice? would it make me look like a woman?