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Green Horn

H

hgbonz23

Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Messages
6
Location
TX
Hi, I am located in North Cntrl Texas. I am looking establish my self in the ranching business, prob is I don't have any cattle ranch exp! I was wondering if there was anyone willing to help a green horn out, I learn quick and I work hard...last one to call it a day. I can keep my seat on a horse just fine, no worries. THIS WOULD NOT BE BABYSITTING! Just ready to learn.

I would prefer a female mentor, seeing as I am female...but just let me know yall! THanks :)
 
Are you sure you wouldn't be better off getting a degree in something and when the career is rolling become hobby rancher? It is a tough way to make a living. Had to say that first. Welcome to the game I hope it works out for you. Can't be much help as I am a little far away and of the wrong gender.
 
Well thank you first for your input! :) And I hate to say this but I am stubborn!! haha I am not the "hobby" farm kind of gal. I know the ranchin' game, just never have played! I'm a woman, not disabled, I'm sure if I was a young man new and ready to lead the life you would have told me differently. That's ok!! I can expect that. But I want to lead the life of workin strapt on the top side of flesh and bone. I have 3 children, one under the age of a yr so a degree at this point is just not in the cards. Again, thanks for your time! :)
 
Welcome aboard! I share per's sentiments, and not because of your gender. Ranching is a dang poor return on investment no matter which bathroom you use in the restaurant. And in my experience there's not nearly enough work that can be done while sitting on a horse.
However, if you're bound and determined to go ahead and do it don't say you weren't warned, but most of all good luck! It is great to do something you like to do, and I believe it's the best way a kid could grow up.
You picked a good site to come to for insight, there's folks on here that alot can be learned from...... regardless of their political stripe :wink:
 
Ok...from a woman's point of view.

I came from cattle background. Dad wasn't BIG into it. But I learned the ropes. Not that I haven't learned a whole lot more since gettin into it myself...but at least I'd had a little experience. I'm married.....to a great fella that happened to land us on old family land. Which was a Godsend as far as the cattle business goes. Mr Lilly had never really messed with cattle, even tho both sets of his grandparents were in the cattle business, so it was a learning experience for him as well.

My one question...or maybe I should say my first...is....Are you married? If so, does your husband want to do this as well? Because whether he does or not, if you get into it, there will be times that he is involved. Be it physically or financially. There's just some things a woman can't do. By that I mean physically. There's alot we can do by ourselves. But when it comes to things on a ranch.....a man's muscle always helps...bigtime.

Ok I'll leave it at that.....and wait for your reply.
 
Well first let me say I am a male by my user name. I am located close to the area you are talked about (Madisonville Texas). Do you have any land now? If not maybe it is best some to lease land first to see how it goes. How many cows do you what to start with? Around here we can run a cow per 2-3 ac. (open pasture) on normal years. But the past few years has not been normal with the rain fall we have been getting. So it may be best to add an acre or two for the drought condition we are having. Do you have an item of what breed of cattle you are looking to start with? I would start with a cross bred type cattle (Brahman X Hereford or Brahman X Angus cross). They are a little hardier bred for this area with the heat we get in the summer and not so cold winters we get compare to the guys up North. :lol:

The first thing I look at when looking for a place is the water supply that is available. Some of the areas around Mexia to Groesbeck there is no good ground water available (salt water). So look out for that. So in these areas they have community water available, but it can get costly when water a herd of cattle. (Ponds or lakes are good source to but watch out during dry times). What like of pasture is available improve or unimproved. Improve pasture is pasture that has some like of hybrid grasses growing like Coastal Bermuda or other kinds of Bermuda grasses. Unimproved pasture is just native grasses which some time can was out good for dry conditions, but can be over grazed very easy. Then check the condition of the fence lines. Some time when you are leasing a place the owners of the place may help in keep the fence in good condition, but check with the owner about this. If I think of anything else I will post it.
 
hgbonz23 said:
Well thank you first for your input! :) And I hate to say this but I am stubborn!! haha I am not the "hobby" farm kind of gal. I know the ranchin' game, just never have played! I'm a woman, not disabled, I'm sure if I was a young man new and ready to lead the life you would have told me differently. That's ok!! I can expect that. But I want to lead the life of workin strapt on the top side of flesh and bone. I have 3 children, one under the age of a yr so a degree at this point is just not in the cards. Again, thanks for your time! :)
Click to expand...

I can assure you per would have given the same advice to a young man.

I even heard of a rancher that was charged with child abuse when he threatened to leave his ranch to his son. :wink: :-)
 
Big Muddy rancher said:
Oh yea I forgot the best way to end up with a millions dollars from ranchin' is to start with 5 million. :o
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thats is so true. I guess that is way they call us a dying breed.

May be Obama will bail us out one day. He has bail out every one else. :wink:
 
hgbonz23 said:
Well thank you first for your input! :) And I hate to say this but I am stubborn!! haha I am not the "hobby" farm kind of gal. I know the ranchin' game, just never have played! I'm a woman, not disabled, I'm sure if I was a young man new and ready to lead the life you would have told me differently. That's ok!! I can expect that. But I want to lead the life of workin strapt on the top side of flesh and bone. I have 3 children, one under the age of a yr so a degree at this point is just not in the cards. Again, thanks for your time! :)
Click to expand...

I can assure you the BMR is correct. The advice was quite generic. In my area I can think of several well respected excellent lady ranchers who many of us go to for their opinion and advice. Just wanted you to go in with both eyes open wide. All the best to you on your adventure, I am sure you will be fine at what you do.
 
Seems we get these requests about once a year or so.

Please post pics of your truck and stock trailer, proof of your financial ability to finance a million dollar (better a multi-million dollar) investment and medical records.

Oh and please let us know of any past criminal involvement.

Same for the kids if the oldest is able to run the streets on his/her own.
I have just the fellow for you but you have to move to north east Alberta and like living in a trailer and heating your water with a wood fire.

If you must have a female mentor I suppose I could lend my wife out - but she does not come cheap! :D

You have the cash to buy a few thousand acres outright the world will be at your feet. Otherwise I could never imagine starting up fresh today.

Good luck in your search.

Regards

BC
 
hgbonz23 said:
Hi, I am located in North Cntrl Texas. I am looking establish my self in the ranching business, prob is I don't have any cattle ranch exp! I was wondering if there was anyone willing to help a green horn out, I learn quick and I work hard...last one to call it a day. I can keep my seat on a horse just fine, no worries. THIS WOULD NOT BE BABYSITTING! Just ready to learn.

I would prefer
Click to expand...
a female mentor, seeing as I am female...but just let me know yall! THanks :)
Click to expand...

You might wanna lose that prefer stuff and take what you can git,dont appear to me that you are in a position to be prefering.
I know an ole woman that might be willin to take a green horn in,I will see her in a couple days,dont know how she will take to the fact you are female and already prefering.
You start ranchin you will lose those calluses on your rear from sittin a horse and get em on your hands from digging post holes..........mite wanna think about that...............good luck
 
I have learned a lot from the old timers and most of them are male. Don't be too picky, learn from who ever is willing to teach you and don't take a lot of it personally.
 
Go to school....get a degree...get a career....stay with it....buy a few acres...a few cows/horses/whatever and " ranch" on the wknds for yourself.


If you do this....you'll be WAY WAY ahead of the game. This day and time people aren't really hiring on help and they're cutting back.


BUT...if you're hell bent to work out on a deal....Haymaker is right...drop the " I prefer" stuff. Know that you will most likely start at the bottom of the bottom .
 
If I were a Gal I would "PREFER" to marry into a ranch family have some kid's and live the good life.I'm not a gal so I had to Marry a Gal with a good job and undieing love for me which I'm very blessed to have as my partner.It also help's that I've ran my own business for 20 years.I have'nt set on my Horse since November 22nd spent plenty of hour's driveing truck hauling feed and rideing a skidsteer though.
 
Wow, thank you for your wonderful feed back...I app. your honesty...tho not very encouraging...I'll take it if it's honest! ;)

Would just like to learn the ropes, that's all...I don't mind a male helpin' me out a bit...I can take criticism...I was in the Army...that's all you get and most the time from men. :) I'm not sayin' I am tryin' to become the next leading lady rancher, just thought about becomin' a hand somewhere, pen rider, cattle chaser...just in love with the cowboy way. I'm broke now, and I have a husband...well sort of. ON THE ROCKS. Anyway, atleast I know I can get to point "in here" that's what I like!

Thanks again, ya'll are great.
 
HAY MAKER said:
You start ranchin you will lose those calluses on your rear from sittin a horse and get em on your hands from digging post holes..........mite wanna think about that...............good luck
Click to expand...

Exactly! Ranching is mostly maintenence work...maintaining/building/rebuilding fences, buildings, water lines, equipment, corrals... It never ends :? .

In my limited experience of almost 13 years, I spend roughly 40% of my time on maintenence, 30% on cattle/horses, and 30% on office work and meetings. The office/mtg schedule should actually be a full-time job, but I can't devote that time to it.

In regards to physical strength, I'm not a big person, 5'5", 125 pounds, (well maybe closer to 130 lately, been eating the Ben & Jerry's ice cream heavily lately :lol: ). And I can do 95% of this by myself. Granted, I do have the use of equipment, and if I get myself into a bind, I can call friends to help me. It's not a matter of physical strength, but a matter of thinking things through to come up with a different way to get them done. Mental strength is a far greater attribute than physical strength in ranching :wink: .

I agree with others though, you should get a degree, and be able to provide for your family with a better profession. Agriculture is a hard way to make a living, especially if you're supporting three children.

Good luck! :D
 
hgbonz23 said:
Hi, I am located in North Cntrl Texas. I am looking establish my self in the ranching business, prob is I don't have any cattle ranch exp! I was wondering if there was anyone willing to help a green horn out, I learn quick and I work hard...last one to call it a day. I can keep my seat on a horse just fine, no worries. THIS WOULD NOT BE BABYSITTING! Just ready to learn.

I would prefer a female mentor, seeing as I am female...but just let me know yall! THanks :)
Click to expand...

few questions....
establish yourself how? you have a ranch? you want to buy one? work on one?
why ranching?
skills?
past work history?
why a female mentor?
married /single?
willing to relocate?
salary expected?
 
Yanuck asked:

few questions....
establish yourself how? Dazzle ya with my brilliance or baffle ya with my BS
you have a ranch? wouldn't be lookin if I did....
you want to buy one? prefer a gift....
work on one? as little as possible...
why ranching? cuz I can't do noithin else.........
skills? can I answer that next week...........
past work history? if I had that I wouldn't be lookin.............
why a female mentor? not goin there.............
married /single? how many times?
willing to relocate? if yall pick me up.........
salary expected? as much as I can get...........

Oh, yall weren't talkin to me huh :???: :?
 
Hooks said:
Yanuck asked:

few questions....
establish yourself how? Dazzle ya with my brilliance or baffle ya with my BS
you have a ranch? wouldn't be lookin if I did....
you want to buy one? prefer a gift....
work on one? as little as possible...
why ranching? cuz I can't do noithin else.........
skills? can I answer that next week...........
past work history? if I had that I wouldn't be lookin.............
why a female mentor? not goin there.............
married /single? how many times?
willing to relocate? if yall pick me up.........
salary expected? as much as I can get...........

Oh, yall weren't talkin to me huh :???: :?
Click to expand...

good Lord you are a cowboy aren't you!!! :lol: :lol: I can tell by your answers you've interviewed for a few ranch jobs before!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 

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