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ABOUT CATTLE DRIVES IN MONTANA

Ranching is a heritage.  It is handed down through parents and grandparents, taught by example, and learned through hard work. Joe and Iris were married in 1949 and looking forward to their first child they each worked hard to saved enough money to buy their first 6 mother cows. Over the next 15 years they grew their herd as well as their family, leasing pasture on the Dryhead Ranch and in Red Lodge, Montana always looking and working toward owning their own ranch.

OUR HISTORY

In 1967 Joe and Iris jumped at the opportunity to purchase the Schively Ranch and centered their cow herd on their own ranch. Tucked on the eastern slopes of the Pryor Mountains, deep in the heart of the Crow Indian Reservation, the Schively was lush, secluded, and most importantly theirs.  For the next 20 years Joe and Iris raised cattle, children, leased more land, expanded and brought their dream to fruition. In 1983 they hosted their first guests on a cattle drive holiday which began a tradition and enterprise that is still strong 35 years later. Cattle drives from Wyoming into beautiful Montana pastures were the main attraction where we met many wonderful people.  Sitting in a cook tent during a three day snow storm Joe and a guest from California created a partnership to buy a ranch and about a year later in 1989 Joe received word from a realtor friend that the Dryhead Ranch was coming up for sale.  A few phone calls later the ranch was owned by the new partnership and it completed a childhood dream Joe had always wished for.  The Dryhead Ranch let Joe and Iris expand their cow herd and grow their guest business while including their children in the operation of both of these ranches.

Joe began growing his Quarter Horse breeding program during these years.  He was running 80 head of guest horses and he wanted to breed his own cow horses that the guests could ride.  So Joe began reading up on blood lines and buying studs that would work well with cattle. The opportunity came to sell the Schively Ranch in 2001 and make the ranching operation smaller and more manageable and closer to Wyoming where our winter pastures and homestead roots were based.  Joe passed away in 2005 leaving his wife of 56 years, 6 married children, 28 grand children, and 56 great-grandchildren.  With Joe and Iris’s legacy firmly established the ranching and farming operation is the same today with three of his children working in the ranching business together with Iris and owning farming businesses separately in Wyoming.  Four generations have lived and worked on the Dryhead Ranch. The guest business operates each year as cows move into and out of the Dryhead Ranch and have grown from 6 cows to 1000 cows and calves, bulls, and heifers.  The horse program has produced money earners, competitive athletes, valuable brood mares and solid ranch horses.  Joe and Iris’s sons and daughters and grandchildren and now great-grandchildren are working to pass on this legacy.  YOU, too can experience the Dryhead Ranch legacy when you visit us for a cattle drive vacation.

CATTLE DRIVES IN MONTANA

Cattle drives are a romantic western story from the 1860’s when cattle began moving into Montana from all over the country. Ranchers soon learned that it took a heartier cow to live in Montana with deep snow and below freezing weather and mountainous terrain than Texas and some of the other places they came from. But the cattle drive thrill has never died away. Today many people from Europe and Australia still come to Montana to find an authentic cattle drive and experience the weather and challenge of riding a horse and driving cows. Dryhead Ranch moves our cattle 50 miles from our farm pastures in Lovell, Wyoming to our ranch meadows on the eastern slopes of the Pryor Mountains in southern Montana.

It is still as challenging as it was in the 1860’s with unpredictable weather and cows with calves that get tired and want to lie down behind a bush. Wind that blows your hat off and rain that soaks to the skin after a long day of pushing cows to the destination place. There is no place to stop until we reach the holding pasture where water and feed are hauled for the night. The next day can be hot and dusty as the weather in Montana changes quickly. Moving cattle down the trail can be perfect for beginning riders as cows move only as fast as the calf will walk. But at the lead of the cows there is lots of work for faster riders who can be sent ahead to move neighbors cows out of the way of the main herd. Come ride with us and achieve that bucket list dream you have been longing to experience on that cattle drive holiday.

CATTLE DRIVES IN MONTANA

Cattle drives are a romantic western story from the 1860’s when cattle began moving into Montana from all over the country. Ranchers soon learned that it took a heartier cow to live in Montana with deep snow and below freezing weather and mountainous terrain than Texas and some of the other places they came from.

But the cattle drive thrill has never died away. Today many people from Europe and Australia still come to Montana to find an authentic cattle drive and experience the weather and challenge of riding a horse and driving cows. Dryhead Ranch moves our cattle 50 miles from our farm pastures in Lovell, Wyoming to our ranch meadows on the eastern slopes of the Pryor Mountains in southern Montana.

It is still as challenging as it was in the 1860’s with unpredictable weather and cows with calves that get tired and want to lie down behind a bush. Wind that blows your hat off and rain that soaks to the skin after a long day of pushing cows to the destination place.

There is no place to stop until we reach the holding pasture where water and feed are hauled for the night. The next day can be hot and dusty as the weather in Montana changes quickly. Moving cattle down the trail can be perfect for beginning riders as cows move only as fast as the calf will walk.

But at the lead of the cows there is lots of work for faster riders who can be sent ahead to move neighbors cows out of the way of the main herd.

Come ride with us and achieve that bucket list dream you have been longing to experience on that cattle drive holiday.

SEE WHAT OUR GUEST HAD TO SAY!

One of my favorite images from MT last summer at the Dryhead Ranch was chosen as the Opening Shot in this month’s February 2020 issue of Western Horseman magazine!  Watching James ride Yeller and rope his calf was truly one of the highlights of my trip.  The determination and seriousness on his face is priceless! Lol  Good thing two grown cowboys were nearby to help out. -Pam Gabriel Photography

The future belongs to the few that are still willing to get their hands dirty.  Thanks to all the farmers and ranchers for keeping us well fed. -PhyllisBurchettPhoto

So excited to open the May edition of Western Horseman magazine April 2020.  It be honest, during all of the craziness that is currently happening, it’s been very hard for me to stay positive about my small business.  The opening shot couldn’t have come at a better time for me!  Stay healthy and happy, my friends!  I hope to photograph you all in the coming months. -Hilary Bishop

Well, its back to reality and back to work for me today!  I’m still dreaming of the aroma of sage in the pastures in Montana and the thundering hooves. -Roam Photos

I got to photograph some colt starting while out in Montana.  It was amazing to watch the way they communicated with their young horses and Jake and Matthew were kind enough to share stories and technique with us while calmly working with each horse!  I’m sharing a couple of the most exciting moments here,  but all in all it was a pretty calm affair. -Fast Horse Photography

14 years ago and still thinking about my experience everyday. Unforgettable. -Camille Brit

 A place to meet old and new friends.  Every year I learn a little more about the work of the cowboys, a little more about how to handle horses.  It’s a place that decelerates.  All work is done in cow time.  After the holiday is before the holiday.  So I look forward to next year -Andreas Will, Germany

Such incredible memories of my week on the ranch.  A long time dream of mine and I just don’t have words for the “wow” moments I had on that trip.  Hearing the cowboys bring in the horses that first morning, galloping to catch up to and turn the strays, the stars at night, to name a few! Thank you for the memories I will forever cherish -Maureen Knibloe

Solitude. Peace. Adventure. Friendship. Great food. As close to the real West as could be.  Treat that childhood cowboy wanna-be to something special. -Jimmy Addis

I had a great time at the Dryhead Ranch.  I loved my time in the saddle experiencing Montana and getting to know the family.  It left me the best kind of tired, ready for a good nights sleep after a delicious dinner.  I’d like to think that stay gave me the clarity of mind to make the best decision of my life…to move out to Montana and enjoy riding my horse surrounded by it’s beauty…Read More

There is no place better to see beautiful scenery and enjoy the cowboy lifestyle.  Every time I go, I learn and grow thanks to the outstanding team at Dryhead.  Thank you all so very much! -Ken Fisher

For me it was the most beautiful travel I’ve never done!!!  It was a dream since I am 10 years, and I really hope I could come and see all of us one more time… -Isabelle Isa

Still my favorite place on earth!  I dream about it every night..  My feet itch to get back only I will probably never leave again..  From the feeling of family epic horses and a once in a lifetime experience..  Nothing could ever top the Dryhead.  It healed my soul in so many ways I couldn’t begin to explain..All I can say is thank you and hopefully see you all real soon. -Caty Greve

I can honestly say that this was one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. Great food, great staff and some of the best scenery you could ask for. I’ll be back, and it won’t be fast enough. Jen was great in getting us started and getting us anything we needed during my stay. Jake was great with me while working with the cattle and horses as a novice rider, and the food was…Read More

Sore muscles and a dirty face has never felt so magnificent!  Having the privilege of joining the ranch family, building relationships, working hard, and experiencing the majesty all around, was truly an unforgettable experience. -Monique Gilbert

Friendly welcoming and had a fabulous time on this true cowboy hands on experience with fabulous horses.  Good homemade food set to your dietary requirements.  Clean and homey accommodations.  We felt like family and have returned for a second time. Hopefully we get to go again. -Michelle Robinson

This is a great place with great people—and the real deal, nothing fancy, which greatly contributes to why I keep coming back.  It doesn’t matter whether you are with a big group of people, or the only guest, which, by some strange coincidence, I have practically been the only guest most of the times I have been to Dryhead.  The scenery is amazing.  And you can be sure of a lot of riding on good…Read More

Once in a lifetime experience never to be forgotten.  You really do become a part of the family. -Pat Hofmann

I just came home from a week at the Dryhead Ranch and wanted to thank Iris, Jennifer, Jackie, and Jake for the greatest vacation I have ever had! I have always wanted to see Montana and this experience was more than I ever hoped for. The bunkhouse, food, horses, scenery and hospitality shown by this wonderful family is something I will always fondly remember. I came home with answers and this really did change my life in a…Read More

Third time and keeps getting better! A big thanks to Jake, Sky, Jennifer, Jackie, Cannon, Suzie, and everyone else at the Dryhead for making my third trip to the ranch so much fun. We really got to experience a little bit of everything last week! The other guests and I really got along and seemed like had I had known them for years instead of just a few days. The warm family atmosphere at the…Read More

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