Stockmanship basics
Read pressure, position, and movement before you ask cattle to go anywhere.
Working Cowboy Clinics
Learn real working-cowboy skills on cattle — structured, small-group, no fluff.
Stockmanship, ranch horsemanship, sorting, and pen work taught the way working outfits actually do the job. Intermountain West. Waivers required.
Real cattle workGroups of 6–10Beginner-friendly if teachableIntermountain West
The short version
- Format
- 1-day · weekend · 5-day immersion
- Focus
- Cattle + ranch horsemanship
- Group size
- Cap 6–10
- Level
- Teachable beginners welcome
- Next step
- Request founding pricing
What you will learn
Skills that hold up when the gate opens.
You’ll practice the jobs that matter on a working day — not arena tricks for Instagram.
Ranch horsemanship
Ride with purpose and put your horse where the job needs it.
Sorting and pen work
Move and separate cattle calmly through alleys, gates, and pens.
Rope awareness
Learn safe handling, positioning, and the fundamentals before speed.
Safety and cattle feel
Build better judgment around livestock, horses, people, and changing pressure.
How a working day runs
Understand the plan, your role, and how a crew gets a job done.
How it works
From request to checklist — here’s the path.
- 01
Request a spot
Tell us your level and preferred month. We’ll match a date.
- 02
Show up briefed
Packing list, waiver, and safety brief before you mount.
- 03
Work the cattle
Ride, sort, and practice. Leave with a written skill checklist.
Sample day
What a clinic day feels like.
Morning
Safety brief, horsemanship focus, pen work fundamentals
Midday
Cattle movement and sorting with coaching in the moment
Afternoon
Put skills on a real job; debrief + checklist for home
Exact schedule shifts with weather, cattle, and the ranch’s real work that week.
Choose your clinic
Pick your depth.
Cowboy Day
From $475
One focused day of fundamentals — cattle feel, pen basics, and ranch horsemanship intro.
- ~1 day
- Ranch horses limited
- Max 8–10
- Great first step
Working Cowboy Weekend
From $1,800
The flagship. More cattle time, more reps, and a full working rhythm across 2.5–3 days.
- 2.5–3 days
- Max 6–8
- Skill checklist
- Founding pricing for first cohorts
5-Day Working Cowboy School
Waitlist
Full immersion for riders who want a week of focused ranch work — dates released to the waitlist first.
- 5 days
- Small group
- Immersion pace
- Waitlist priority
This is for you if...
- Adult riders who want real ranch skills, not a trail ride
- People who like clear instruction and a safety-first crew
- Anyone willing to get dirty and take coaching
This is not for...
- Costume / Instagram-only tourism
- Trail-ride-only vacations
- Anyone who won’t follow crew safety rules
Working cowboy instruction
Your instructor
Led by a working cowboy
Founding clinics are taught by our cowboy partner — a working hand with real ranch experience. Full bio and photos land before the first public date.
Request a spotUpcoming dates
Founding dates — request access
First cohorts get founding pricing. Exact ranch shared after you’re confirmed.
One day
Cowboy Day — founding cohort
Intermountain West
2.5–3 days
Working Cowboy Weekend — founding cohort
Intermountain West
Safety is part of the work.
Every date starts with a briefing. Groups stay small so coaching and safety stay tight. Equine work has inherent risk — we take that seriously.
FAQ
Straight answers.
Do I need my own horse?
Ranch horses are limited. Bring your own when the date allows it. Each listing will make horse requirements clear.
What skill level do I need?
Beginners are welcome if they are teachable and reasonably fit. We group riders by experience where possible.
Is this safe?
Equine activity has inherent risk. Waivers are required. Every clinic starts with a safety brief, and small groups let us pay attention.
What is included?
Instruction and the listed ranch activities are included. Lodging and meals depend on the package and are stated on each date.
What is the cancellation policy?
Deposit requirements and cancellation terms are shown before you book a specific date.
Where is it?
In the Intermountain West. The exact ranch is shared after booking.
How physical is this?
Active outdoor work in the saddle and on your feet. You’ll get dirty. If you have injuries or limits, tell us when you request a spot.
What should I bring?
Boots, jeans, work gloves, layered weather gear, and a teachable attitude. Full packing list after you’re confirmed.
Request a spot
Request founding pricing
Tell us your experience and preferred month. No payment today — we’ll reply with next steps and dates as they open.
Prefer email? bookings@openrangeschool.com