HorseWorks Wyoming

Horseworks Wyoming was an amazing opportunity and definitely changed my life. Everyone in the program was extremely friendly, and I learned a ton throughout my time there. It was a perfect escape from urban settings, and I would return in a heartbeat.

Truly some of the best weeks of my life so far. An opportunity involving time spent with horses, day in and day out, and a chance to get the feel for life on a ranch in Wyoming. I made lifelong friendships with people from across the globe with whom I learnt new skills, had once in a lifetime experiences and witnessed some of the most mesmerising views on a daily basis. MaeCile makes you feel right at home and does everything she can to help you make the most of your time spent at HorseWorks (not to mention she makes the best cinnamon rolls known to man). I already want to go back!!

It's an incredible opportunity if you're lucky enough to go to Horseworks. I had an amazing time, learnt so much about horsemanship, went on some once in a lifetime adventures and made some friends and memories that I'll never forget. I can't thank MaeCile enough. Would go back in a heartbeat.

After 3 weeks at Horseworks Wyoming, I still consider it my home away from home. Even with limited previous riding experience I was able to fully engage and develop my riding skill under the watchful eye and support of all those around me. The experience focuses on classic ranching, fitting in very well with the secluded nature of the ranch. Interns are expected to pull their weight in terms of ranching chores such as finding eggs, feeding the animals, repairing fences etc and daily chores such as cooking and cleaning. I felt that it was very wholesome work that is fantastic for character building and creating a strong team environment. Now for the part everyone's interested in, the horses are superbly well trained. Each has their own unique personality and riding style that sets them apart and makes them very much an individual and a friend for the duration on the internship. The focus for riding is very much on horsemanship, creating a bond with your horse and being able to pick up on it's cues. Building trust between horse and rider is imperative. I can't go without mentioning the cats as they were definitely a perk for me! Plenty of friendly cats to play with, again each with their own personality! In summary - not your typical dude ranch! Takes horse riding to the next level, building relationships. You'll leave with more friends, both human and horse alike!

I did a two week internship at HorseWorks in August of 2017. It was such a great experience to work with so many different horses and people. For someone who had only experienced horseback riding at a walk, being able to trot and lope on the trails and in the arena was amazing. I learned so much through this internship and was able to become more confident in my horsemanship. I cannot wait to go back again in 2020 as part of my bachelorette party!

My time as an intern here was honestly one of the best experiences of my life! MaeCile, as well as all the other interns, were so so friendly from the moment we met, and MaeCile amazing in helping us do any specific activities we wanted to do! All of the horses are so friendly and so well cared for, and we even got friendly with some of the cows too! Thank you for the best few weeks of my life (as well as some of the best cooking I have ever tasted!) I can’t wait to hopefully come back some day!

I visited Horseworks after completing my MBA, so a type of 'last hoorah.' Horses were a part of my life growing up and I was immediately interested. I stayed at Horseworks for 3 weeks and thought that was a very appropriate amount of time. It's long enough to get settled into the pace of life and really bond with some of the horses there. I went in April and it was a bit chilly. I'd recommend late April or May. Later in the summer can get hot and there are more campers, but I've seen pictures of folks riding horses in bikinis through the pond and that looks quite fun! So I'm sure it's great at any time. I went by myself. For me, that was perfect. I got to know the owner, MaeCile, and my wrangler, Laura, very well. Going by myself allowed me to have time for self-reflection and pursue what I wanted to get out of the experience vs having to consult with someone else. That said, I'm sure it'd be a blast to go with friends. Highlights for me were: - helping birth the baby calves, truly a unique and wonderful experience - learning about natural horsemanship training methods from MaeCile - riding a different horse almost every day, which meant new challenges - working with Hazel, a paint mare I ultimately adopted who now lives with me in the Northeast - seeing abundant wildlife on the range (antelope, jack rabbits, bison, elk) - starting to halter break the foals - hours of hands-on horse experience everyday; the kind you don't get in an indoor arena at a fancy dressage school. You're dealing with a herd of diverse horses: young, old, trained, untrained, bomb-proof, spunky, etc. HorseWorks really is in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness. Depending on where you are coming from, you may find the first week difficult in terms of adapting to a new routine, new people, new animals, and a new outlook on life. I found that going through that really helped me grow as a person. I didn't take advantage of visiting Yellowstone but that is known to be a highlight, as is the Cody rodeo which starts in June and runs all summer. Horseworks literally made me rethink what I wanted from my own life and I'll always be grateful for that.

Coming to Horseworks was the best decision I've ever made. It's hard to summarise all the things Horseworks has given me, there are just too many. I first came out for a three week internship in 2016, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the horses, the ranch and the western lifestyle. I came back in 2017 for three months and I’m currently planning another trip for the summer of 2018. The best thing about Horseworks, is that it’s not a dude ranch where you get a tacked up horse presented to you each day and you don’t have to do any of the work. At Horseworks, you are involved in every aspect of ranch life, from fixing fences to riding out to find lost cattle. The ranch is pretty remote but that only adds to the experience. It’s an amazing feeling to be the only one around, for miles and miles. You share your internship experience with people from all around the world who share the same passion as you: horses! As teamwork is an important aspect of the ranch work, it doesn’t take long to get close to your fellow travellers. Most heard comment at Horseworks: ‘I feel like I’ve known you guys for years!’ For me, meeting so many amazing people is the best thing about Horseworks, and I still keep in touch with a lot of the people I met in Wyoming. I’ve grown a lot as a person as well, travelling on your own for the first time can be nerve wrecking and going to a new place with new people is both exciting and scary. Stepping out of your comfort zone teaches you a lot about what you’re good at, what you don’t really like and shows you that you can do a lot more than you thought. And being away, doing something completely different from your normal life, can give you a great perspective on what you really want to do. It gave me the courage (and the skills!) to choose to travel the world, working with horses. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities MaeCile has given me. One of the best ones was getting to train a young colt. With MaeCile’s help, she went from being scared of everything and kicking at us to me being able to put a saddle on her without problems, put my feet in the stirrup and leaning over her back. I’ve learned a lot about training and I’ve realized that is something I want to do more. MaeCile calls the returning interns her ‘ranch family’, a very apt description, it really feels like my home away from home!

I keep coming back to HorseWorks Wyoming every year as this is my favourite place to be - great opportunity to spend every day outside on horseback driving cattle or mending fences. Not a boring moment as there is always things that needs dealing with on the ranch which offers great self insight and awesome opportunities to expand your ability to run a ranch. Also fantastic opportunity to work on your horsemanship with MaeCile - a process that offers great connection with the horses and yourself! Love WY for its incredible beauty and demanding harshness of the natural forces at place - a great place with great people!

Horseworks is heaven on earth!! Stayed for 2 weeks in June 2017 and had the best time of my life. You can learn so much about who you are as a person whilst staying on the ranch, I know that it has helped my confidence so much since I have been back. MaeCile is an amazing person who makes the experience 100 times better. The knowledge MaeCile has can help anyone develop skills not just with horses but ranch life and the local area. You can take a trip to the breath taking Yellowstone Park, relax at the hot springs or take a ride down to Cody and the rodeos (if they are on). There is something for everyone and you will love every minute. I am heading back for 3 months in 2018 as i enjoyed my time so much and plan to keep going back as long as i can!!

Went here in summer 2017 and loved every second of it. Literally every aspect of it was perfect, there truly is something there for everyone. The wildlife is just incredible, you could wake up in the morning and leave your cabin to be greeted with horses, cattle, rabbits, deer and more! MaeCile is an incredibly knowledgeable person and you are guaranteed to leave having learnt more than just about horses. There’s such a diversity among the horses and there is bound to be one that will suit you perfectly. There’s always something to do there, whether it’s herding the cattle, taking a trip through Yellowstone national park or going to chill at the hot springs. I’m going back for five months in 2018 and I’m counting down the minutes until I get to go back there. Thank you so much MaeCile for creating such a wonderful place!!! One thing I’d say for prospective travellers is to make sure you have good insurance as I struggled finding a company that would cover all the activities on the ranch. I went with SporsCover Direct and they have been fantastic. They were so helpful when purchasing the insurance and have continued to be whenever I’ve had any questions.

I first went to HorseWorks Wyoming in October 2016, and then returned twice in 2017! I have ridden for 18 years, but had never sat in a western saddle before I came here. MaeCile spends time making sure everyone is happy and comfortable with their horses, she has made me so much more confident in myself, and around horses. There is a horse to suit every rider! A normal day starts with a delicious home cooked breakfast, then we feed the horses, cows, cats and chickens. We then saddle up and head out into the spectacular Wyoming scenery. Afternoons are filled with more riding, maybe moving cattle, or groundwork with the colts. Whatever you want to learn, MaeCile makes it happen. It is a privilege to learn from someone so knowledgeable, this internship opened my eyes to a whole new idea of horsemanship, one based on trust and respect. This place is truly incredible, it is quiet, animal focused and a true western adventure! I don't think there is anywhere else where you can ride and mule and a quarter horse in the same day!

Going to HorseWorks Wyoming in 2011. Really did change my life in a way that I thought it never needed changing. It gave me the best foundation to horsemanship and ranching. And even opened up my eyes to trying new methods in a skill I never really knew I possessed. I owe everything to MaeCile and Nate, they took me in and made me a part of a family like no other. I would highly recommend anyone with a passion for horses to visit HorseWorks. You won’t regret it.

I had been dreaming about going to a working ranch for ten years before a finally took the decision to book a plane ticket and go! And how I fell in love, with the people, all the animals, the ranch and the Wyoming sky! I absolutely loved it! Being a part of everyday life on the ranch and getting involved in all the work that needs to be done on a ranch. Horseworks Wyoming has become a second home for me, and the people I met there are all like an extended family. That’s why I went back there for the following two years! And I will definitely go back a forth time!

What can I say about Horseworks.... just amazing!!! I visited here in October 2016 with my best friend as we always wanted to have a real American ranch experience and horseworks didn't disappoint. We were met at the airport by MaeCile who was so welcoming and made us feel at ease. We arrived at the ranch and was pretty much straight away in the barn learning about the horses, the American way and our fellow ranchers. Our cabin was just perfect and comfy and peaceful. During our time on ranch we rode different trails around the area, herded cattle and had a go at riding barrels. We also did off ranch stuff, visit Yellowstone, college rodeo, Kirby burgers (the best burger ever!!!!) and a soak in Thermopolis hot springs. I was gutted when our two weeks ended as I had learnt so much about myself and of what I could do rather than what I thought I couldn't do and for that I will be really truly grateful, and am counting the days till I can visit MaeCile again.

I was an experienced competition rider when I first went to Horseworks. The ranch opened my eyes to a whole new way with horses. I love observing the large herd of horses in their huge pasture. Learning from their social interaction. Working with a huge number of horses of all types, mares, geldings, stallion, colts is an experience that many don't get. My riding and training has improved enormously since Horseworks came into my life and I have been back several times since.

HorseWorks is nestled among sage, rocks and hills in beautiful Wyoming. If you are looking for solitude and if you want to be away from city lights and noise this is the place to be. It doesn't get more peaceful and quiet than this. The horses roam free and are being wrangled every morning before breakfast. What a unique experience to drive a herd of horses in the early morning light. After feeding and watering calves and colts and collecting chicken eggs, you usually go riding on one of the wonderful horses. There is one for every type of rider. And sometimes you can get a quick ride in after dinner before the sun sets. At HorseWorks you get down and dirty. This is not a luxury vacation! There is always work to do and every helping hand is needed and welcome. Build a cabin, fix the fence, haul hay, do dishes ... Learn about horses with the wonderful host MaeCile who will teach you to connect, join up, trust. Not only will you become a better ranch hand and teamplayer, you will definitely become a better horseman/woman and rider. There are always dynamic, energetic and fun loving people at the ranch so it never gets boring. Together you can ride out to stay the night at Cow Camp or take trips to the nearby Cody stampede, the hot springs in Thermopolis, or the rodeo in Meeteetse. Don't forget Yellowstone Park! MaeCile will gladly lend you her van. And if you want to stay in, enjoy a quiet evening watching an amazing sunset, thumb through the library, play the piano or exchange "gifts" with MaeCile: reflect and share your most memorable moment of the day - for me it was hard to just pick one! So I had to go back ...

When I first found this internship online I couldn't believe my luck, it was literally my dream 'bucket list' adventure. I had the most amazing time and fell in love with the horses. There's a good range of horses for all abilities, there is definitely something for everyone. The scenery is breathtaking and the riding is incredible! One of my favourite trips was riding over to cow camp and then camping under the stars. I also absolutely loved rounding up the cows, the best fun on horse back. I really learned to appreciate the little things in life while I was out there. I loved my experience so much that I then went back the next year and am planning to go back again this summer! My only wish is that I could stay for longer!