You will be based on the working ranch for the duration of your trip. You will be involved in hands-on activities including participation in chores, trail riding, horse wrangling, cattle gathering, branding and cattle drives. You will be carefully matched with a horse based on your riding experience and your goals for your 3-week project. The project will be tailored to your riding ability and interests as often as possible.
Volunteer tasks and activities may include:
- Learning how a working ranch is run by getting involved in daily ranch chores
- Looking after the horses and equipment - feeding, watering and cleaning
- Cattle work such as checking the health of the herd, moving cattle when needed (on horseback), and fixing fences
- Short trail rides
- Long trail rides with lunch and overnight camping for 2/3 day rides
- Wrangling between 40 and 80 head of horses
- Barrel racing
- Team-penning (cattle work)
- Basic roping lessons (on the ground)
The ranch occasionally has one day sessions for groups of children (under 12) to teach them about horses. Volunteers are welcome to get involved in these sessions when they occur as the kids love to meet the people with the funny accents!
You will have the amazing opportunity to ride and bond with your horse each day on the ranch. In your free time you may be able to visit local attractions including Yellowstone National Park, hot springs, historical centres, and rodeos. During your 3-week placement you will truly get to experience the Western lifestyle and country from the back of a horse.
2010 Programme Dates:
- 6 June - 25 June
- 11 July - 30 July
- 18 July - 6 August
- 15 August - 3 September
What’s Included in the Programme
- Donation: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, medication etc.
- Airport Transfer
- Orientation on arrival
- All Accommodation on the Ranch
- All Meals on the Ranch
- Instruction by ranch staff
- Tack
- Use of Horses on the ranch for the duration of your stay
- Full support and assistance from your coordinator throughout your time in Wyoming
- Buddy list of other volunteers before you go
- Emergency 24 hour support number and contact at Real Gap
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Flights
- Travel Insurance - you must be insured for riding and for the full duration whilst on the ranch and for your additional travels
- All items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- Email or phone charges (available at the ranch)
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Wyoming (Remember to take approx. USD $250 for your contribution to such activities, the specifics of which will be decided by the group during your orientation.)
Prices and Durations
USA Ranch Volunteers - Wyoming (19 days) $2,799
