HAYTHORN LAND & CATTLE

Arthur, Ne

The Ranch

Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. is a working cattle ranch, raising commercial Black Angus cattle and foundation-bred Quarter Horses. Founded in 1884, the ranch has been owned and operated by the Haythorn family for five generations. With a rich history and a commitment to staying true to their cowboy roots, the Haythorns are renowned worldwide for their ranching and horse breeding programs.

In 1992, they received the inaugural AQHA Best Remuda Award and are one of the nation's most respected Quarter Horse breeding operations. The Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. horses are bred for durability and athleticism. They have gone on to excel in and out of the arena. Located 17 miles north of Ogallala and 5 miles from Lake McConaughy, the ranch is surrounded by rolling sandhills, meadows, and plentiful wildlife.

The Haythorns believe in diversifying and evolving to remain sustainable, ensuring that future generations can carry on their legacy. Haying is now contracted out, and calving has transitioned to begin on April 1st, aligning more closely with nature. The family's deep-rooted knowledge and experience in ranching have allowed them to preserve and remain steadfast in their traditions. With the goal of success for future generations, the Haythorns remain dedicated to land stewardship, providing a high quality of life for animals, and fostering good relationships with people.

The Mentors

Sage & Kelly Haythorn

Sage is a 5th-generation rancher and horseman, born and raised on Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. After high school, Sage attended college at West Texas A&M and afterward returned to the ranch.

Kelley is from Colorado, but the Nebraska Sandhills have always been home to her. She would spend summers and all of her free time at her grandparents' place near Mullen. Kelley has had a lifelong love of horses; she grew up riding, competing in rodeos, and attended West Texas A&M, where she studied Animal Science. Sage and Kelley met in high school, and they were married in 2010 after college. Together they have two children, a son, Steel, who is 8 years old, and a daughter, Stoli, who is almost 2 years old.

Sage and Kelley are very traditional; they believe in working hard and keeping their word. Family is first and foremost to the Haythorns. Anyone working at Haythorn Land and Cattle Co. should be comfortable with kids. Friends are also very important to Sage and Kelley, and they will do anything they can to help them out.

The Intern

Duties

Candidate will work closely with Sage and Kelley in all aspects of ranching tasks, including but not limited to: daily cattle care and monitoring, brandings, moving cattle, infrastructure maintenance & repairs, checking windmills, and moving hay.

Horses are utilized in all aspects of daily ranch duties; experience with horses is preferred. Assist in branding, halter breaking, riding horses, and all aspects of daily horse care. Opportunities to learn record keeping and building a horse catalog will be available.

Additional responsibilities as needed and as per request.

Desired Skills

Valid driver’s license
Self-starter
Self-motivated
Outgoing
Cattle/Horse experience

The Details

Length of Experience: 3 months

Stipend: Haythorn Ranch will pay a monthly stipend estimated at $2,100.00/month.

General work hours: The typical work week is 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hours may vary depending on the season and activities. The regular day off is Sundays, with some Saturdays possible.

Housing and Meals: A fully furnished bunkhouse is provided on the ranch, complete with a kitchen, wireless internet, and laundry facilities. Some daily meals will be provided. An intern who enjoys cooking can assist in cooking ranch meals.

Horse: A horse is allowed with prior approval.

Cell Phone Service: Viaero/Verizon cell phone service.

Vehicles: A vehicle or side-by-side will be available for ranch work.

Additional items to bring: Any personal items you need. Gear for all weather, sun, and rain protection. Work boots, riding boots, and own horse tack if preferred.

Living at the Haythorn Ranch: Ogallala offers all the basic amenities, including places to eat and drink, grocery stores, small-town shopping, and a hospital. Haythorn Ranch has an Events Center and a Gift Shop. The Haythorns attend several rodeos in the summer and host events weekly at the ranch, where an intern will have an opportunity to take part if desired.

Educational Activities: Opportunities to attend select workshops and participate in ranch tours will be available.