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Day 1:
Sunday afternoon arrive at the Ranch. Cabin and teepee
assignments. Personal time to freshen up or change into riding clothes.
Finalize registration, including confirming signed liability release,
emergency plan and location of First Aid Station. Pre-orientation by
Ranch Wranglers at the corrals, including: Interview with Nate for horse
selection. Helmet fit check and meet the horses. Saddling, bridling,
mounting, dismounting, neck-reining, side-pulling -- in-depth horse
safety demonstration (you will be quizzed, so be on your toes!). Wash up
and have supper at the HUB. Receive your Ranch Wrangler Checklist of
things to earn the title of Working Ranch Wrangler by the end of the
week! Chore choice and discussion of gear. It's the end of a big day.
Watch the sunset and sit by the fire. Go over the rules of the trail,
how to tie on your slicker and plans for Day 2. Prepare your gear for
tomorrow and settle into your bedroll for a restful night. Note: In
preparing gear, for safety reasons minimize what you bring to load on
your horse. Water and snacks will be available without you having to
carry them.
Day 2:
Ranch Wranglers and Interns rise before daylight. Riders have a great a
photo op as Nate brings the horses in from pasture and grains them in
nosebags. Riders' wake up call. Breakfast and review of the schedule for
the day. Come to the corrals with gear in hand and ready to ride! Ranch
Wrangler Orientation, including: Review of safety orientation yesterday.
Match horses and riders (Nate's specialty). Supervised saddling by
riders per pre-orientation yesterday. Try out your horse in the corrals
and alleys to ensure that riders can control their horses. Trail class
in arena to insure a proper match, including riding around cones and
other obstacles. Lunch at the HUB and review Rules of the Trail and
other Cowboy Etiquette. Mount up for a trail ride after lunch. This
all-afternoon ride is your introduction to Western terrain that is
varied and at times challenging. The ride is accompanied by two
wranglers and the group's experienced adult leaders (2:1 or 3:1 ratio).
Supper at the HUB and discussion how to move cattle and wrangler horses
as an art. The campfire is waiting, enjoy great old-time cowboy and
Bluegrass music. Morning comes early.
Day 3:
Wranglers -- rise and shine! Throw hay to the wrangle horses. East
breakfast while the Ranch Wranglers bring in and nosebag the horses.
Groom your mounts and saddle up (assisted).
 Harness the team, Oscar and
Harry, for trip to Prospect Cow Camp. Morning ride over a new trail as
Outriders to cow camp. Lunch and a siesta on the trail. Locate the
cattle in preparation for the afternoon roundup. Round up the cattle and
hold them until they mother-up Return to cow camp to set up teepees and
enjoy a hearty supper and a relaxing evening around the campfire. Make a
rope halter: Part I
Day 4:
Morning chores, wrangling and breakfast. Break camp. Saddle up to drive
cattle to fresh pastures. Harness the team and send the wagon and
Outriders back to headquarters while the other riders break a new trail
back. Go to Thermopolis to soak and swim in the World's Largest Hot
Springs. (Transportation provided by Phidipides Shuttle Service).
Day 5:
Rise really early for a sunrise ride Late breakfast after the ride After
breakfast, have a light morning of running (walking, trotting) the
barrel pattern and horseback games or take a bag lunch and mount up for
an all day ride over new and beautiful country watching for elk, deer
and other wildlife along our trail. Make a rope halter: Part II Farewell
party.
Complete as many things on our Ranch Wrangler Checklist as we can. Plan
for our return to HorseWorks next year to see more of the country and
learn more about ranching and horses. Take off for Cody for an evening
of western activities, like the Cody Nite Rodeo, before heading home!
Evenings may include old-time cowboy and Bluegrass music around
the campfire,
halter-making, sunset rides and other activities.
Our emphasis is
on having fun -- safely!
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