Hands On Lessons in Cattle Work & Horsemanship
The University of Wyoming Ranch Horse Team hosted its annual Ranch Horse Clinic on Nov. 15 and 16, bringing students, alumni and local horsemen together for two days of instruction led by Nebraska clinician Jim Wilkins.
The event, held at the Hansen Arena on campus, offered hands-on training in ranch horse skills, horsemanship fundamentals and cattle work. The clinic filled up quickly, attracting students at the university and seasoned riders from the Laramie community.
Wilkins, a longtime ranch horse and cutting trainer and a National Cutting Horse Association judge, based in western Nebraska, emphasized practical skills that translate directly to ranch work. His program included sessions on cattle work, improving rider communication with horses and working the flag.
The clinic is part of UW’s growing ranch horse program, which has expanded to include competitive teams and community outreach. The clinic provides students with real-world experience that prepares riders for upcoming ranch shows.
UW Ranch Horse Team Member, Bailey Ceder, recalls riding with Wilkins for years to improve her riding skills.
“I’ve been riding with Jim since I first got started in the cow work,” Ceder said. “His help has led me to great success throughout my show career.”
Throughout the day, Wilkins stressed the importance of horsemanship fundamentals. He began with flagwork exercises, encouraging riders to build trust and responsiveness before moving into cattle work.
Participants then practiced sorting and moving cattle in small groups, simulating ranch show scenarios. Wilkins offered individualized feedback, often stopping riders mid-exercise to demonstrate adjustments in rein handling, seat position or timing.
Wilkins emphasized to students that horses should be able to make a stop before tracking cows back down the fence line.
“From Wilkins, I learned that patience is key when riding, perfection will come with practice, and that I need to stop worrying so much,” Riley Zimmerman, UW Ranch Horse Team member, said.
The team has invested in expanding its ranch horse program over the past decade, reflecting the state’s deep ties to ranching and livestock production. The program now has a competitive ranch horse team that participates in regional events and also offers public clinics and workshops.
The event put on by the UW Ranch Horse Team highlighted their commitment to supporting Wyoming’s ranching heritage while preparing students for careers in agriculture.
Beyond student participation, the clinic drew interest from local ranchers and horse owners. Several community members brought horses to the arena, joining students in exercises and sharing experiences from their own operations.
Ranch horse team members learned ways to practice over winter break and come back ready for the spring.
“The clinic was very helpful and gave me a lot to work on for the winter,” Emma McCabe, UW Ranch Horse team member, said. “I cannot wait to apply all my new skills in the show pen.”
The ranch horse team is scheduled to compete in one more event this fall and several contests this spring; clinics like Wilkins’ provide valuable preparation.
Students who attended said they left with a deeper appreciation for the demands of ranch work and the skills required of a good ranch horse. Many noted that the clinic reinforced lessons about patience, timing and communication that extend beyond the arena.
“I knew I wanted to give everyone I could the opportunity to learn from Wilkins,” Ceder said at the end of the clinic.
The ranch horse clinic reflects a broader tradition at the University of Wyoming, where agricultural programs have long emphasized hands-on learning. By combining instruction with practical clinics, the UW Ranch Horse Team aims to give students the tools they need to succeed in Wyoming’s agricultural and ranching sectors.
The clinic was a reminder of the enduring importance of ranch horses in the state’s culture and economy. From cattle work to competitive events, the skills taught by Wilkins continue to shape the way ranchers and horsemen approach their work.
The University of Wyoming’s Ranch Horse Clinic offered students and community members a chance to learn from an experienced clinician while celebrating the state’s ranching heritage. With Wilkins’ guidance, participants practiced skills that will serve them in both competitive arenas and working ranches.
As the university continues to expand its ranch horse program, events like the Nov. 16 clinic highlight the value of combining tradition with innovation. For students, ranchers and horsemen alike, the clinic was both an educational opportunity and a celebration of Wyoming’s ranching culture.
