So, You’re interested in attending a “Cowboy School?” Look no further than the nation’s first Horsemanship and Ranch Hand Skills academy.
When you search “How to learn to cowboy” or “Cowboy school” you might find a couple of options. Many are online Horsemanship programs for already seasoned Equestrian Riders to hone in their training or riding skills. While those may be great options for a veteran, no program compares to The American Cowboy Academy.
The ACA is the first organization that prioritizes not only in-person Horsemanship training, but also hammers on the Skills necessary to work on/ own your own ranch. Here at the ACA, we believe that having a balance of the two equates to a well rounded individual in agriculture.
Why does The American Cowboy Academy teach both Horsemanship and Ranch Hand Skills?
The ACA was founded on the principal that the opportunity to truly learn “Cowboying” should not be reserved to just people who grew up ranching or maybe had family teach them.
Let’s begin with the Horsemanship side. The appeal of Western Agriculture, to many, is the involvement of equine (horses) in the line of work. Our horsemanship education begins at the hoof and moves all the way into you being in the saddle everyday. Before any student throws a saddle on and jumps on, they must first understand the following principals.
- How to approach a horse
- “Catching a horse”
- How to halter a horse properly
- Different kinds of halters
- Interacting with multiple horses in the same area
- Properly retrieving a horse from a stall vs a pasture vs a paddock
- Safety measures when leading a horse
- The hoof
- Hoof health, how to use a rasp, spotting for thrush, different kinds of shoes, etc.
- Skeletal Structure
- Muscular structure
- Basic Medical Care
- Colic Identification
- Administering Orals
- Wound overview and prevention
- How to properly tie off to a hitching post
All of these little (but incredibly crucial) things are taught within the first few hours of the first day of class. Imagine how much you’ll learn with our 4 & 5 days of instruction.
Why teach Ranch Hand Skills?
Here at the ACA, we believe that a well-rounded individual has a solid foundation in Horsemanship and the technical knowledge to support the infrastructure of livestock.
Whether your goal is employment in agriculture or you’re seeking the knowledge to begin your own journey, a balance of both Horsemanship and Skills is necessary.
We teach everything from fencing to manure management. From tractor operation/ maintenance to water and electrical systems. We dive into the world of hays, grains, and supplements.
You can have a good understanding of riding or be a top hand- but why not have both?
When it comes to selecting a “cowboy school”- Why choose The American Cowboy Academy?
Yes, you can read our reviews, see where our alumni have gone, or the cool Instagram content. When it boils down to the answer- The ACA is not driven by the number of students or how cool our social media looks.
We are driven to provide a Top-of-the-line, individualized experience and training to every individual who attends our courses. We never take on more the 5 students at a time. Why? So the experience is personalized to you. The ACA is all about you. There is no way to just sign up and pay for class on our site. We conduct 2 through interviews with our potential students- One initial during booking and then another 2 weeks out from class time. This allows us to understand you, your goals and aspirations, and what you are really looking to gain from attending the ACA.
The experience at the ACA is never the same for two students. As each student is a different person, from a different walk of life, and a different goal in mind.
Ultimately, the world is yours for the taking. Why not take a leap into a new journey full of exciting opportunities.
“Your journey into ranching begins here”
– Bryson Bell (The American Cowboy Academy Founder)
