How to Find a Wrangling Job
Dude ranches soared in popularity as a vacation destination after the movie "City Slickers" debuted in 1991. Even though it's been many years since the movie debuted, these ranches have remained a popular vacation option. This means there is always a need for experienced wranglers to take care of both the horses and guests. If you are interested in a wrangling job, you can follow a few simple job search steps to find the right position for you.
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Instructions
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Prepare a resume that highlights your horse-related experience. The major part of a wrangler's job involves horse care, including grooming and saddling, and long hours on horseback leading guests on rides. You are expected to be an experienced equestrian. If you have experience working with people in a service job, mention that too. You will be interfacing with guests regularly, so being a "people person" and having the experience to prove it is a plus.
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Decide where you want to work. Dude ranches can be found across the United States, even in states like Wisconsin, New York, Georgia, and Florida. However, most people equate them with Western states like Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas. Are you flexible, or would you prefer to work in a specific area? If you have preferred areas, list them in order of preference.
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Visit a specialized website like DudeRanchJobs.com and search for appropriate positions. You an also expand your search by visited sites aimed at guests, like the Dude Ranchers Association or Guest Ranches of North America. Even though some dude ranches in your preferred area may not be advertising wrangler jobs, send them your resume.
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Apply for positions at the appropriate ranches you found on job sites, and send a resume and letter of introduction to other ranches in which you have interest. Make sure they have a way to contact you easily, such as your cell phone number. Dude ranches want to hire responsible wranglers, so be quick to respond to any show of interest.
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If a ranch contacts you for an interview, be prepared to emphasize your wrangling skills and experience but also prepare your own list of questions. Does the ranch provide housing to its wranglers, or will you have to find your own? If bunks are provided, is there any charge or is that considered part of your pay? Are you allowed to accept gratuities from guests in addition to your base pay? Does the dude ranch add mandatory gratuities to the guests' vacation cost? These are some of the typical questions you should ask about any wrangling job.
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Tips & Warnings
Although many dude ranches hire year round , their busy season is typically during the summer months, so most job openings occur in the spring. For ranches that are located in very hot areas, like Arizona, the busy season is over the winter. If you are interested in a wrangler job at a ranch in a hot climate, you'll find more job openings in the fall.
Wrangling is physically demanding work, and there is a high risk of injury. Many wrangling jobs do not offer medical benefits, so take that into account when you are searching for a position.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo: Wikimedia Commons
