This ranch in Dryhead Canyon on the eastern slopes of the Pryor Mountains south of Billings in the state of Montana is fully operational and breeds quarter horses and cattle. It is by no means a tourist destination, so you won't find any golf courses or swimming pools here! Approximately 900 cows and their calves live on the ranch's 16,000 hectares of land. Enjoy Montana's so-called Big Sky Country, the dreamlike tranquillity of nature and the breathtaking beauty of the landscape! Founded in 1898, the ranch is located right on the border between Wyoming and Montana, surrounded by rolling hills, forests, rivers and the majestic Pryor Mountains. You will feel like you have stepped back in time – the Bassett family, who have been running the ranch for over 50 years, look forward to sharing the lifestyle of a real working ranch with you!

Have you always wanted to be a cowboy or cowgirl? At Pryor Mountains Working Ranch, your dream can come true! During your stay here, your horse will become a true partner with whom you will carry out daily tasks. During the season, when the cattle graze higher up in the mountains, you will ride to a different area every day and help with branding, vaccinating, rounding up and herding the animals. You will also have to repair fences, catch runaways and wean calves from their mothers. So there is plenty to do all year round!
During your stay, you will sleep on the ranch in a rustic but cosy guest house or in a room in the main ranch building, where you will also enjoy homemade Western-style meals.

Itinerary

We are an authentic cattle and horse working ranch with a family atmosphere where everyone works together to achieve a common goal. The landscape is breathtaking and changes with every canyon, every mountain and every pasture. The food is simple and homemade, the accommodation clean and comfortable. With us, you will experience a unique adventure that has kept many of our guests coming back – one week is not enough, so it's best to plan several!
Work on the ranch includes branding, vaccinating and lassoing animals. You will also treat minor injuries, distribute salt, ride out the herds, repair fences, search for runaways and wean calves. Your exact duties will depend on the time of year you are at the ranch.

May-October: You will usually ride for several hours every morning and afternoon in different directions to drive the cattle to new pastures, check the health of the calves, repair fences, distribute salt licks and keep the herd together while the cowboys check the watering holes and grass conditions. Several times a week, you will take a saddlebag picnic with you and go on full-day rides. The mares are brought in and paired with stallions for breeding. Foals are accustomed to halters and young horses undergo the cowboys' summer riding training. Many of these tasks are repeated weekly as part of the ranch programme. Rounding up the cows and weaning the calves in autumn takes a lot of time. Vaccinating the cattle and determining which cows are pregnant is also a lengthy task. After weaning, the calves are taken to market.

However, some of the above activities are definitely on the programme and you are sure to herd cattle more than once.
If you wish, you can also learn the basics of working with a lasso and get tips on riding. In the evenings, we usually sit around the campfire, play music and tell stories. Your hosts value personal contact with you and between guests!

(Subject to change)

Accomodation
During your stay at Pryor Mountain Working Ranch , you will spend the night in the guest house, in a room in the main building of Ranch or in one of the cabins. The so-called Bunkhouse has six Western-style guest rooms and shared bathrooms. You can also sit on the inviting veranda and tell cowboy stories. 

In the main house of Ranch to stand there are 3 guest rooms with a shared bathroom and there is a living room for everyone. 
The cabins are located a little below the main house with a beautiful view of the Ranch and the pastures of the young horses, not far from Dryhead Creek and have private bathrooms. 

Meals are taken together in the old cookhouse. The western-style cuisine includes tender steaks, chicken, vegetables and fresh salad, as well as home-baked bread, cakes and desserts. There are always plenty of tasty cookies for in between meals to stand . All meals are served buffet style and if you are out and about over lunchtime, you will be provided with a substantial packed lunch.

At Ranch there is a Ranch store where you can buy or borrow some things that are useful for your stay at the ranch.
For all programs you come back to Ranch for overnight stay/dinner.

Saddle & Tack: Western

Experience: from approx. 3 years riding experience, ridden in all gaits

Horses: Quarter Horses, Quarter mixes