The Lazy F Working Guest Ranch completely fits the definition of a "working ranch" ... 

The Lazy F Working Guest Ranch has been in our family as a working Texas cattle ranch since 1853. After 159 years of continuous ownership by our family, my 18 year old daughter, Sydney, is the 6th generation on this ranch.

My daughter and I are working to retain this last piece of family and Texas history. We wanted another source of income besides cattle. Thirteen years ago, I decided to allow guests to become part of The Lazy F Working Guest Ranch cattle operation. The Lazy F Working Guest Ranch "Learn to Cowboy" programs teach guests how real cowboys work and how to work as real cowboys and cowgirls. And then the guests get to try it "hands on." You don't just watch, unless you want to. It ain't all about horseback riding. There is a lot of "truck time", "feet on the ground" and "talk time" involved. 

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IS THIS REAL? OR IS IT "FAKE?" If you do all the "hands on" work my cowboys and/or I do, then you ARE a cowboy. If you learn to round up and pen cattle, brand, rope, vaccinate, castrate, tag, de-worm, doctor, sort, and take to market the animals you rounded up, THEN YOU ARE A COWBOY or COWGIRL. If you ride with me to check fence, pastures and cattle, in a truck or on horseback, it is what a rancher does. If you help move cattle from pasture to pasture; rescue cows from the highway; build, repair or take down fence; feed cows by truck or tractor; mow fields; use the dozer to clear trails; go to town on errands; or any of the myriad things required on a cattle ranch, THEN YOU ARE A COWBOY OR COWGIRL.  My 18 year old daughter, Sydney, and her friends, who ride and help on the ranch, will be quick to point out .. they are COWGIRLS and have been since they could sit a horse or drive a truck at 3 years of age. You are just not an "experienced" cowboy. Like a person who learns to fly a plane, if you can take off; fly to a destination; and land ... you are a PILOT, but not an "experienced" pilot. Experience comes with LOTS of practice ... so to be an "experienced" cowboy or cowgirls, you will have to come back several times.

For fun, you can eat round a camp fire, camp in a tent, fish in the lakes, hunt hogs, learn to shoot, learn to rope, learn to repair fence, feed cattle from the back of a truck, haul hay, put out mineral and salt, etc. etc. Not all cowboy work is done on a horse ... oh heck no. Unless you come at "roundup time", you will be doing whatever needs to be done on the ranch. We may have to drive to town for feed or parts. We may be repairing fence or equipment. I will TRY and spend as much time on a horse as you wish, but if there are other things that are going on, this is what you get to do or you can find something on your own to "self entertain" or watch. Do not expect to be "entertained" 24 hours a day.. this is not that kind of ranch. Read the descriptions again. This is a working cattle ranch, first and foremost, ... guests come second.

This is not 200 acre Texas "dude ranch", with 3 cows staked in the yard. This ranch covers 2500 acres; 4 square miles; or 1000 hectares. It is over 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. We run up to 300 momma cows, depending on rainfall. We have a herd of 24 horses. I usually turn the care and feeding of the horses and upkeep of the barn and tack to the guests. If you want.

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If you DO NOT come during a roundup (one week - twice a year), what you get to do will depend on what's going on when you are here. Or what crisis arises that requires immediate action, such as cattle on the highway or in the neighbor's pastures or a fence down. You are not required to work, but can, if you wish, and learn a lot in the process. I will try and take you horseback riding as much as you want, but sometimes I will have other things to do and you will have to go along or be self entertaining. I am not going to be 24 hour entertainment. I might add, when there is no roundup at the ranch, a lot of what you learn will be by talking to me. You ask and I will explain. Or I will explain without being asked. You can shut off the stories just by asking me to "be quiet." The Lazy F Working Guest Ranch "Learn to Cowboy" Non-Roundup program is much more relaxed and geared to your speed. When you especially want to do something, like ride a horse, ASK ME ... I can usually change directions to accommodate you.

During the Lazy F Working Guest Ranch Roundups (twice a year), the work is mostly non-stop, morning to night, grab a bite and get on your horse again or back in the pens, or in a truck. This is for those guests who want hard work with their cowboy adventure. I hire a group of professional cowboys, who work cattle every week of the year; turn you over to them; and get out of the way. Once again, if there is something you don't want to do, just say so, we have lots of other things to help with at the same time.

In both programs, YOU learn to take care of the cattle, the horses, and the ranch. The price of the Lazy F Working Guest Ranch "Learn to Cowboy" programs includes meals, horse, room and other "on the ranch" activities, such as shooting, playday, or roping lessons. There are NO OFF-RANCH actives offered with ANY Lazy F Working Guest Ranch program. If I take you out to eat at a local cowboy restaurant, I will give you a set amount of money for your meal. Anything over that, is your responsibility. If you want to go sightseeing or shopping and you have no vehicle, I will take you but you will pay for my mileage and time. This will only happen when I do not have a chore in town and can take you along. I don't expect you to pay for that.

There are three other "learn to cowboy" programs on the Lazy F Working Guest Ranch. These three programs "Room and Ride", "Just a Room" and "Trail Riding Texas" do NOT involve any on or off-ranch activities in the price. Those will be paid for on an individual basis. Remember, most learning comes from asking me questions or listening to my stories. This can be done in the dining room or swimming pool as well as on horseback. 

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#1 - The Room and Ride "Learn to Cowboy" Program means just that. You rent a room by the night and ride horses by the hour. No meals are included. You are responsible for your meals at the local restaurants. NO OTHER "LEARN TO COWBOY" ACTIVITIES .. on the ranch or off the ranch. If you are not riding, you are "self entertaining". You can walk, fish, or swim in the pool. Take your car and go shopping or sightseeing. Or pay me and I will take you ... even to San Antonio or Austin. And remember what I told you about "the cattle and ranch come first." If I do not take you riding, I don't make money. However, if I don't take you riding the minute you think you should be on a horse, that is ranch life. I have other things to do, so you will just have to wait. I want the money, so you can be assured I will take you riding for as long as you want. I might also add that my Lazy F Working Guest Ranch Roundup and Non-Roundup "Learn to Cowboy" guests, who pay full price for meals, room, horses and ranch work .. they take priority. If you are out shopping and come back late to ride, we may be gone. You will just have to wait till later or wait till the next day. 

#2 - The Just A Room "Learn to Cowboy"  program means just that. You rent a room for the night and enjoy the pool, walk on the ranch, or fish. No meals or horseback riding included. Although you are welcome to change your mind and pay for riding or roping lessons or shooting lessons, etc.  No entertainment, other than sitting with me and listening to stories. And, of course, I am always available for questions. Anything else you want to do, I will charge you for. This is how my daughter and I pay for keeping the ranch for your enjoyment. You may want to get in the truck and ride with me in the pasture and help feed cows. I might charge you $5 or $10 and keep you out half a day. I have learned the hard way over the years, anything we do ... drive in the truck, wireless internet, etc. either comes from your pocket or mine ... prefer yours. I used to give away all sorts of "free" ... sometimes I still might ... but normally you should expect to pay. If you see me roping with other guests at the barn and you want to try, expect to pay $10 or $15/hour. I just want this understood up front.

#3 - Day Rides (just for the day) "Learn to Cowboy" Program ... call it what you will, you can drive out for the day and ride horses by the hour. You "learn to cowboy" by listening to whoever takes you riding. You will always learn something. No meals, no swimming, no other activities ... you can use the toilet facilities, A/C in the main house, and get all the water you want from the fridge. But what you really get is just riding. Drive to the ranch; ride our horses; and drive back home .. all in the same day.

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SINGLE GIRLS (OR GUYS) ALONE AT THE RANCH - This is a BIG cattle ranch and SMALL guest ranch. We usually have less than 12 people here. With the economy in collapse, single girls (or guys) may find themselves staying at the guest ranch all by themselves. Apparently, this has been a big deal to some guests, who complained they were "ALONE at the ranch!" Interesting comment and not exactly true. You are "alone" ONLY if you want to be. My daughter, Sydney, and I live 1/4 mile (.4 Kilometers) away from the guest ranch, in the old family ranch house. I have a separate cell phone for guests staying at the ranch. If instant communication and the fact I can be over in less than 5 minutes, if you hear "boogers" in the night, is not enough comfort, you may request my daughter and I come stay in one of the rooms near you. We are over at the guest ranch most of the time anyway, we certainly would enjoy staying there, if you would like. If our being a call and 5 minutes away or sleeping in rooms near you is not enough ... don't ... come!! I might add, I am a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with 36 years in combat and service around the world. I am a former Texas Police Supervisor / Detective and former local Texas Elected Judge. Anyone looking for trouble always looks somewhere else. I like the Pirate Motto .. "Dead men (or women) tell no tales"

My daughter and I hope every guest at the ranch leaves feeling they came to visit their family members they didn't know they had. That is how we want it. I have more fun seeing you have fun, than if I did it myself. Besides, I am usually there enjoying whatever you are doing, with you.