Looking to get a job on a guest ranch? Here are some things you should know to help you prepare for your season.
1. There are different types of ranches you can work on
While the types of ranches can be split into a few different categories, depending on who you ask and what you are looking for, I am going to break it down into two categories as it relates to an employee.
First, you have the working ranch. As a staff member on a working ranch, your goal is to help the owners care for the ranch in various ways so that they can make a living. It is a lot of hands on work and you will most likely be doing task such as caring for and rounding up livestock (mostly sheep and cattle), caring for horses, fixing fences, and more.
Second is a guest ranch. As a staff member on a guest ranch you will be working with guests in some capacity. A lot of these ranches fall into the luxury vacation or resort category but some can be more rustic. Either way, the goal of a guest ranch is to provide a western experience of some level to the guests who are paying to be there.
2. Not every guest ranch is created equal
Each guest ranch is its own business made up of different employees, guests, activities, expectations, daily flow, ect... At the end of the day it is still a ranch, but each one has their own vibe. Some will be better than others, and what makes it better depends on what you are looking for.
Some ranches are large and run more like a resort, with 5 star-dining, high end accommodation, and offer various activities. Others are smaller, family owned, maybe a bit more rustic, and they know every guest by name because the same people return year after year. Of course, many are a mix of the two.
As a staff member, housing, employee perks, tasks, and responsibilities will differ from ranch to ranch. Thus, it is important to do your research on each one you are applying to, and make sure you understand what will be expected of you. Also, if you have a bad experience working at one ranch it does not mean you will have a bad experience working at another. You need to find the place that is right for you.
3. Don't expect your co-workers to be stereotypical cowboys
While the classic western cowboy is what the guests are expecting to find, you will learn quickly that your coworkers come from many different lifestyles.
The people you work with will be from all around the USA and not everyone will have grown up on a farm or even have experience working on a ranch.
Now, if you are on a working ranch, this might not be the case but remember we are focusing on working at a guest ranch.
You will find out quickly that not everyone listens to country music, goes line dancing in the evening, or spends their off days galloping through the fields on horseback. The workers at the ranch will have various types of interests and hobbies, and you are bound to find others who have the same interests as you.
4. You do not need horseback riding experience unless you are a wrangler
When you think of a ranch, one of the first things that comes to mind is horses. But not everyone working at a ranch is there to ride or has even been on a horse before.
Obviously, if you want to work with horses or are looking to be a wrangler, you will need to be a rider. However, if you are someone who wants the experience of working on a ranch but you don't have riding experience then that is okay! Odds are you will have the chance to ride but it wont be a requirement.
Guest ranches have many different positons they need to fill that do not require riding experience.
And this brings me to my next point....
5. There are many different jobs available
While wranglers are defiantly important to the ranch world, guest ranches have many other positions in several different departments that they hire for. They need housekeepers, ranch hands, servers, cooks, people to take reservations, kids supervisors, activity leaders, guides, and more. There are many positions you can apply to without having much experience.
6. You will be putting in a lot of hours
Working on a guest ranch can mean putting in a lot of hours. With some positions, such as working in the barn, this is already expected. However, there are lots of aspects to working on a ranch that require you to put in the work that you may not know about.
For example, are you expected to be at certain meals or participate in afterwork activities? Do they require your assistance in other departments during the week to help out around the ranch? What type of hours will you be working when the holidays come around?
These are questions you are going to want to ask during the interview. The ranch that I work at does require many of these things from their staff members. Requirements and expectations will vary from ranch to ranch and it is important that you understand what is expected of you and what is written in your contract.
7. The uniform can be expensive
Cowboy boots are not cheap, and you will want to splurge on some good quality ones, especially if you are going to be using them everyday for work. Aside from the boots, you may want/need to get a cowboy hat, belts and buckles, and all the other pieces that make up your western style uniform.
If you are thinking you wont need these things, do me a favor and be sure to read the uniform section in your contract because working at a ranch (especially a guest ranch) means dressing western while you work or when you are around the guests. It can feel a bit like a performance at times, but you will get use to it.
To offset the cost, ask your employer if there are stores around the area that offer employee discounts, and see what you can source from the thrift shops.
8. The majority of jobs will be out west
Oh the great American west, full of vast valleys and mountains... and also ranches. It is not hard to see why most ranches will be out in the western states thanks to how much land there is for horses to run and cows to graze. If you are looking for a good ranch job, the west is where you will want to be.
9. Expect limited cell phone service
Ranches require a lot of land, which usually places them out in the middle of nowhere. This means you may have little to no cell phone service while living and working on a ranch. It is also possible you will have to drive somewhere to get wifi, or you wont have the strongest wifi signal around.
If having internet connection is important to you, ask about the service and wifi situation during your interview.
10. You will want to have a car available to you
Again, you are far out in the boondocks. This means having to get into town on your days off if you are looking to buy groceries, go out to eat, or participate in events happening in town. It is likely that town will be pretty far away and public transport does not operate where you are.
If you are okay staying on the ranch for the entire summer then good for you. But, I guarantee there will be times when you need a break from everything and want to just head to a coffee shop to spend some time on your own or attend events like the local rodeo. Having access to a vehicle allows you freedom to do what you want when you want.
11. You will get a chance to do what the guests do
My favorite perk of working on a guest ranch is getting to do what the guests do without having to pay money to do it. On your days off you get to go horseback riding or tag along on a hiking trip. You will most likely get to eat the food the guests do for some meals, and participate in evening activities like barn dances or live music.
12. Not all ranches are open year round
Many ranch jobs are considered to be seasonal work, because many only operate during the spring and summer. However, there are some that run through the winter as well. When you are choosing a ranch to work at, this might be important for you to take into consideration.
Does a summer position work for you, or are you looking for a full year of work? Are the ranches you are applying to asking you to sign a year long contract or can you work just one season?
I have worked with people who work at the same ranch all year round, and with people who work at one ranch during the summer and another in the winter by hopping back and forth between the two each season. There are a few different ways you can do it, but you will need to know what options are available to you and what you really want.
13. Many ranches hire employees all year round
Most guest ranches hire year round. On one hand they are preparing for the next season, and on the other they are trying to fill spots of the people who left during the season to move on to the next thing.
This means that the fun jobs can fill up fast. So, if you are looking for a specific job or want to work on a specific ranch, you should get your application in as soon as possible. You should also apply to multiple ranches because it is good to have options.
Conclusion
Working at a guest ranch is definitely a different experience compared to most jobs, and is can sometimes feel like a whole other world. Hopefully some of the things in this post will help prepare you for your ranch season.
