USA Ranch vacation and a wrangler roping cattle
North America > United States

T X Ranch Stay

The ultimate working ranch holiday. Experience the real Montana, share the lives of a family of ranchers and work as an authentic cowboy! Join the wranglers riding up into the Pryor Mountains where you will gather the cattle, brand and vaccinate them. There are long days on horseback and you camp out each night.
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Ranches and Cattle Drives
11 days/ 6 days riding -
From £0
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Itinerary

Highlights

- Join the wranglers working 1200 head of cattle in a vast grassland area steeped in history and cultural heritage
- You can participate in all ranch activities on horseback: herding, searching for lost calves, branding, vaccinating and castrating
- The Tylett family will give you a warm welcome - their family have been ranching for 5 generations
- Camp in the territory of the last wild Mustangs
- A real working ranch

  • Day 1 1: LONDON - BILLINGS

    Best Western Clock Tower Inn
    Fly from London to Billings Montana. Arrive late afternoon and stay overnight in a hotel in Billings. Billings is a nice little town with good restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.

    Please note that this night is not included in the cost of your holiday and you are welcome to book your own hotel accommodation if you wish to. We will be happy to provide a quotation.

  • Day 2 2: BILLINGS - LOVELL

    Montana Camp
    You will have a free day to explore Billings. You will be met at the BW Clock Tower Inn between 17:00 and 18:00 and transferred to the ranch (c. 3H drive). Until late June, you will stop en route in a western store for any outstanding purchases (from July the location of the camp will not allow it). Arrive at the camp and meet the horses, cowboys and the family.

    Please note: You can choose to rent a car and stay longer in the United States after your ranch holiday. Yellowstone Park is especially worth visiting and is only a 2:30 hour drive from the ranch.

    The following program is by no means comprehensive but reflects all the activities in which you are able to participate. The weeks working from the ranch are broken up by the cattle drives.

  • Day 3 3: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback

    Montana Camp
    Head to the corral after breakfast to catch your horse, this will involve roping! You will be given instructions first on how to ride western and how to tack and untack your horse.
    The aim of the day is to gather 120 cows and their calves and drive them to a new pasture inanticipation of branding the calves the next day. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed along the way. Return to the camp in the evening for a well deserved hearty dinner.

  • Day 4 4: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback

    Montana Camp
    Today will be spent "Branding" or marking the cattle. You will ride out to find the herd that you gathered yesterday. Once the herd is contained in the bottom of a narrow valley, so they can not scatter, a large fire will be made in which the irons are placed. Some riders will be responsible for keeping the cattle together in the herd, two others will rope the calves out and seperate them from the rest of the herd. When the calves mother has been identified, the same marking will be applied to the calve. Two riders will then hold the calve on the ground while others mark it with the hot iron, tag its ear and vaccinate it. A well deserved lunch break at midday and then you can switch roles! Hip and his team teach you how to use a lasso and you can quickly get practicing with the herd. Return to the camp early in the evening.

  • Day 5 5: LOVELL

    Montana Camp
    Today you need to move another herd to a fresh pasture in order for the grazed pastures to recover. This will take the whole day because the distances are huge and the cows are scattered. Also you will need to sort the cattle as they will not all go in the same pasture. Return to camp late in the day. This evening practice your roping skills if you wish to as tomorrow is devoted to branding and castrating calves.

  • Day 6 6: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback

    Montana Camp
    Another day of "branding" today. The cattle are already in the same pasture, so your first job is to make a fire. Today everyone can help to catch the calves. The older ones will be castrated, this operation only takes a few seconds. Return to camp late in the day.

  • Day 7 7: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback

    Montana Camp
    Ride through beautiful scenery towards the Big Horn Canyon. You can see remnants from the past as you ride past abandoned cabins, old carriage wheels, old corrals for horses left behind by the pioneers. It is not uncommon to find arrowheads and it is easy to imagine herds of bison roaming free through these vast areas. You will feel that you have worked hard when you find missing cows and those that need care. Back to the ranch in the late afternoon.

  • Day 8 8: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback

    Montana Camp
    Today you will move several herds of cattle to new pastures. From up on the mountainside opposite the canyon, you will be able to see the entire ranch and how their land dominates the whole area extending accross to the horizon.
    Your last evening at the ranch, the evening will be spent around the camp fire.

  • Day 9 9: LOVELL - BILLINGS

    Best Western Clock Tower Inn
    This morning after you have had a leisurely breakfast, you will be transfered to your hotel in Billings. You leave camp around 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Billings April through June at 1:00 p.m. July through September you arrive at 11:30 a.m.

    Transfers are only included to and from the Billings Airport and the Best Western Clock Tower Inn.

    Please note this hotel night is not included in the listed price and is optional. There are very few flights leaving from Billings in the afternoon so we recommend spending a night at a hotel and catching a flight the next day.

  • Day 10 10: BILLINGS - LONDON

    Return flight to London or maybe extend your trip.

    Why not pay a visit to the beautiful Yellowstone Park, not very far from Billings?

  • Day 11 11

    Arrive in London

Dates & prices

Price details

No departure for this destination. Please contact our travel advisers for more information.
- International flights are not included.

- The first night hotel accommodation in Billings is not included.

- Gratuities are not included and are payable locally (approx. 15%)

- The maximum group size is usually 18 riders

- There is no possibility of a single person tent, except in exceptional circumstances

- Transfers to and from Billings are included.

- An electronic travel authorisation (ESTA) is required to enter the USA. It is your responsibility to organise this. Please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and contact us if you need help.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

Team of cowboys on the ranch to assist and guide

Logistic

Several horses equipped with saddle and bridle

Inland transports

Transfers from Billings to the ranch (return)

Accommodation

2 person tents with cot beds

Meals

Full board from dinner on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 9

Price doesn't include

Meals

Beverages and personal extras
Meals in Billings

Transports

Visa fees (ESTA) which must be arranged in advance
International flights

Extra

Tips to local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation

Optional

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on the first night and last night in Billings
We are currently updating our dates and prices they will be online soon. If you want details of this holiday, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Equestrian info

Horses

Over 100 Quarter Horses all perfectly trained for working cattle. They are energetic, calm and steadfast. All horses are ridden in western tack and are used to western techniques. Western saddles are ideal for spending long hours on horseback.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

This is a trip for fit and experienced riders. You must be comfortable and secure in the saddle for several hours and be able to mount from the ground. A good level of physical fitness is required.

Rider's weight limit: 100kg, 225 lbs, approx. 16 stones.

Pace

Riding at all paces - walk, trot and canter over varied terrain through pleasant pastures, forests, peaks, lakes and rivers.

Tacking ability and participation

Each rider is responsible for their horse, so you will groom, tack and untack your horse. You can feed and water your horse if you wish.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

Good physical condition is required. The climate is continental, so hot in summer while enjoying the mountain air, cold in the Autumn to very cold and snowy in the winter.

Equestrian equipment

Western tack
Saddlebags provided

You can also bring leather straps and spurs if you wish.

We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

Two man tents, with camp beds heated by a wood stove. Based around a log cabin where meals are prepared.There is no running water, the water is heated every night (solar or wood-fired). Showers and toilets in outdoor sheds. A cabin dining room serves as a place to relax and socialise when the weather is not so good.


Meals

- American-style breakfast: tea, coffee, toast, eggs, sweet and savoury options
- Picnic lunch
- Copious hot meals for dinner

Water is available at the camp.
Alcohol is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own drinks.

A $50 additional fee will be charged for special dietary needs.

Guide and local team

Your guides and ranchers will be Loretta and Hip. They are lovely and quick to make their guests comfortable. With their daughter Desiree and the rest of their team, they will share their daily lives with their guests and welcome you to their household as if you were family!

Tips

Tips are compulsory in USA. The local team expects to get 15-20% of the cost of your stay.

Packing list

Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. There are many lightweight options available nowadays
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
- Warm hat for cold nights when camping

Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare in case one gets wet)
- Warm and waterproof jacket - it can rain at any time of year and the evenings can be particularly cold
- Swimming costume - for swimming/bathing in rivers/hot springs

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Thermals
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms
- Waterproof over trousers

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps as an extra layer against inclement weather. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful for abundant dew in the mornings or when it rains
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around the camp in the evenings
- Several pairs of warm, thick socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, cold or rain whilst riding. Waterproof gloves can be particularly useful

Nightwear
- Sleeping bag. You need at least a comfort factor down to minus 5 celsius, but would recommend at least minus 8 or 10 celsius
- Sleeping bag liner - silk, cotton or fleece - adds an extra layer
- inflatable mattress
- Pyjamas or tracksuits or thermals for sleeping in

Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided with a capacity of 60-80 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.//
- Hard sided suitcase are not permitted on this ride as your luggage is carried by packhorses. It should be soft sided with a capacity of 80-100 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Tall riders may benefit from taking a pair of long stirrup leathers with them (the local stirrups are adjustable but are sometimes limited in length)
- Even if foam mattresses are provided, you may pack your inflatable mattress for comfort sake.

Other useful items
- Towels - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Swiss army knife
- Field glasses
- Wet Wipes or equivalent (for when washing facilities aren't available)
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)

In your hold luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- Swiss army knife (or equivalent)

In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!

Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Miscellaneous
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- Please take your rubbish home with you. There are no recycling facilities in XXX, so take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling
- You may wish to take some photographs or postcards of your home with you to show your hosts. You may also wish to take some crayons, colouring books etc for the children
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.

Did you know?

Did you know?

Cattle Work

On your working ranch holiday, expect to take part in the daily routine of life on the ranch. You will be asked to help work with the cattle and you should be prepared for it!

Branding is a necessary part of cattle management. In the vast plains of Wyoming, Colorado, or Montana, there is not always a fence to stop the livestock from roaming free in search of the greener grass. Branding the stock allows each rancher to identify their cattle and differentiate it from their neighbors. Each brand has a very specific lay-out and position on the animal. The calves are usually branded when they are 2-3 months old, anytime between March and May depending on the state and the year. The calf is roped, wrestled, and then thrown on its side in a good position close to the fire. The rest of the crew also helps with castration and vaccination.


There are many people involved in the process and you will be more than welcome to pitch in and help: there will be a job for you! Some riders prefer to stand on the side and watch for a little bit, it is up to you to decide if you are up to the physical requirements of the work. 

On the blog

Guest ranch or working cattle ranch? Our guide will help clarify the main differences between a guest ranch and a working ranch experience so when the time comes for you to pick a ranch for your holiday vacation, you will not have any doubts. Read our guide on the blog.