I'm looking to relocate to Bandera, TX or Medina, TX (Pleasanton: camps, store)

[jessylynn022]

I'm a 22 year old female from WI and I'm looking to relocate to Bandera or Medina in the next few weeks to a month. I'm a country girl, who loves country music and cowboys I want to learn the ins and outs of ranch life and taking care of horses, I'm hoping to make this a permanent move. Any suggestions? I'm going down there with very little money and will need room and board of some sort, as well a job. Anything that you could let me know would be great! Thanks everyone!!!

[TexasNick]

Hi Jessy,
Have you been to Texas before? Medina and Bandera are great areas for that kind of stuff you are looking for. I may work as a ranch hand this summer a little further up your area, so I'll keep an eye open for you.

Also, see if you can find a list of ranches in the area by going to the Bandera chamber of commerce. You could try calling and/or emailing them. Hopefully others will have some more tips for you. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

[kmerian]

Jessy, you are going to have a hard time getting someone to hire you if you have no experience. Working with horses is hard work.

A good way to start is perhaps contact some of the summer camps in the area. That way you can ask to help out with the horseback riding program and you can get room, board and paid for the summer. That way, when fall comes around, you have several months experience, a good knowledge of the basics, and some money in your pocket.

Working at a feed store or farm and ranch supply is another good way.

I would recommend against moving to Medina, it is a nice small town, but it is VERY small (less than 300 people) there are very few job opportunites there. Bandera would be the better option.

[TXtrkgrl]

There are two newspapers in Bandera. You can check the classifieds, people are always looking for a ranchhand. Here are the websites:
Bandera Bulletin
Bandera County Courier

Here is a website for the chamber:
Bandera County Texas Chamber of Commerce

If I hear of anything in the area like you are looking for, I will DM you. Good luck in your search.

[jessylynn022]

Thanks everyone! I wouldn't necessarily have to work directly with the horses, at least not right away... I wouldn't mind working as a front desk person or even a housekeeper just to get down there and get my feet wet sorta speak.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by kmerian

Jessy, you are going to have a hard time getting someone to hire you if you have no experience. Working with horses is hard work.

A good way to start is perhaps contact some of the summer camps in the area. That way you can ask to help out with the horseback riding program and you can get room, board and paid for the summer. That way, when fall comes around, you have several months experience, a good knowledge of the basics, and some money in your pocket.

Working at a feed store or farm and ranch supply is another good way.

I would recommend against moving to Medina, it is a nice small town, but it is VERY small (less than 300 people) there are very few job opportunities there. Bandera would be the better option.

I second kmerian's statements. Bandera does call itself "The Cowboy Capital of the World". Though, there are other cities that claim this title.

[TexasNick]

Pleasanton is the birth of the cowboy.

[jules07]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Pleasanton is the birth of the cowboy.

Hey!!! I was just gonna say that!!! Lots of cowboys there!

Ya might even check with the local vets. They frequently hire assistants who may or may not have experience. Tagging along on ranch calls is a good way to get your feet wet (or muddy! ).

[jessylynn022]

Thanks for the vet idea! I love it.

[jules07]

Originally Posted by jessylynn022

Thanks for the vet idea! I love it.

No problem! It's also how my daughter met her husband! He was our vet's assistant and came out frequently to make ranch calls. He teased my daughter once about her horse, and the bickering starting right then and there! LOL!!