I am currently a hunter jumper rider looking to take a year or two off to move out west and work on a ranch. I know it sounds far off but just looking to really enjoy horses and take a break from the whole show atmosphere. Ideally would like to bring my horse (19 year old welsh pony jumper). I just have no idea where to start looking. I already work in a barn, have 15 years of riding and hard labor experience. Any suggestions?
There’s a website called Ranch World Ads, all one word.
They have a listing for help wanted, and ranch jobs wanted.
Prepare for some culture shock. I rode a little hunters, some recognized dressage and eventing in a former life. I’m on a ranch now.
I was just curious what the culture shock was? No agenda whatsoever; just wanting to make sure my mind is open because I anticipate moving from one region of the country to another in a few years, and want to know the full range of what can constitute culture shock. 
Working ranch horses get well taken care of, but it’s going to be a shock to a pampered hunter jumper pony and rider. They do not baby their horses- so don’t expect layers of blankets and nightly poultices and wraps, etc. It definitely won’t be life in a show barn, for sure.
Horses will live outdoors in a herd, basic horse handling will be more pragmatic and perhaps rougher than you are used to. In my experience, most horses thrive being outdoors in a herd. However, my guess is that most working ranch horses are not 19 or 20 years old, so be mindful of any limits your pony has.
Western cow work requires a horse to be quite backed off a snaffle bit, which might be confusing for a horse that’s learned English contact. You might even want to ride him in some bitless format if Western retraining seems hard on his mouth.
Horses will be expected to stand tied indefinitely, to ground tie, to load in stock trucks wearing saddles, and perhaps to wear hobbles at times. Horses will be expected to be completely unconcerned around farm equipment, livestock, flying ropes, tarps, etc. Humans and horses will be expected to put in long days, a horse could be ridden 5 to 8 hours depending what the task is. But most of that is walk or jog on a loose rein.
I think many ranchers prefer geldings for working horses.
If you want to bring your horse I would suggest exposing him to cattle and other things now, and doing as much trail riding as possible over varied terrain. Much cattle ranching is on rolling grasslands, not necessarily any total elevation gain, but lots of up and down hills. Most flatland horses need a bit of time to develop the hind end strength for hills. Many areba based horses need a bit of practice on rough or tricky terrain.
Also make sure he can stand tied for an hour.
I see ranch jobs that want candidates to be able to drive tractors and handle tools, so any chance you get to work on your basic carpentry and equipment skills, the better.
You will also find perhaps personal culture shock in political and social opinions and world view, but that’s true any time we move.
As far as trail riding, we go for up to 20 miles in a day in out local state park. He’s 19 but in the best shape of his life. He already goes bit less and lives outside 24/7, and he’s used in the lesson program at my barn and will stand tacked and tied forever. He’s about as easy as it gets. So hopefully the biggest culture shock will be for me not him lol.
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Some ranches may take greenhorns to train, but generally is expected they won’t bring their horses or pets or family or friends along.
New ranch employees that are not hired as an experienced farm hand/cowboy with those skills already, are expected to bring just themselves and take directions well, be observant and ready to learn how things are done there.
Never hurts to ask about bringing other, horse, pets, but it may restrict greatly your job opportunities.
People pay to do what you want to do, go spend some time enjoying learning about ranch life with your own horse to ride, accommodating what you and the horse can do.
Could you board your horse where it is for now, then bring it if you decide to stick with that change?
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