Ranch workshops are conducted at Doc’s remote ranch in northwest Montana, near Glacier National Park and surrounded by the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Specialty Workshops may be held at other locations.
Doc's ranch
Ranch workshops are 5 full days of hands on instruction and practice with emphasis on safety, gentle (but effective) techniques, horse husbandry, and the basics of harnessing, hitching, driving and working horses in harness. Students learn about and operate a variety of horse drawn vehicles and equipment, and try their hand at many horse powered tasks such as wagons and carts, ground driving, skidding poles and logs, obstacle courses, plows, discs, harrows, grain drill and seeder, mower, hay rakes, buck rake, hay loader, hay nets, manure spreader, fore carts, stone boat, grader, and so on.
The horses are driven and worked single and in two horse teams in the workshops for first time students, and hitches of up to six in advanced and specialty workshops for returning students.
Except for specialty workshops, each class is limited to just five students to maximize personal instruction and driving time. Throughout the week the content is determined, to a large degree, by what each student most wants to learn and experience. The approach is informal, relaxed, and flexible – we have fun.
Ranch workshop dates for 2010 (Note: Doc is also teaching other workshops in different parts of the country)
- June 6-12, 2010 - For first time students
- July 18-24, 2010 - For first time students
- August 15- 21, 2010
- August 29-September 4, 2010
Doc’s workshops seem to fill earlier and earlier each year. The less flexible your schedule, the earlier you might want to try to book.
There are occasionally cancellations in the workshops that Doc hosts at his ranch. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list, please e-mail Doc.
Ranch workshops
Learn safety; gentle but effective techniques; and the basics of harnessing, hitching, driving, and working horses in harness while using Doc’s horses, and the equipment of a working horse powered homestead.
Special people, great horses, and a historic Montana mountain homestead, all set the stage for a week of complete immersion into the world of driving and working horses in harness. Limited to only five students, the workshops are a personal, small group learning experience and a unique western adventure.
Doug Hammill D.V.M. draws upon over 50 years of horse experience to mentor each student at their own individual skill level.
Workhorse Workshop content is extremely comprehensive in scope, and custom tailored to each group. The wide selection of horse drawn vehicles and machinery, the many horse powered jobs performed, and the mountainous terrain provide driving experiences that enhance learning and guarantee enjoyment.
Staff
Misty helps demonstrate collar fit
Doc’s Clydesdale and Suffolk horses, and mules, conduct all aspects of the Workhorse Workshops personally with the assistance of Doc, and when possible his mentor and stepfather, Tom Triplett. Some workshops may include other horses, mules and instructors
Getting there
For workshops at Doc’s ranch participants meet for a hosted get acquainted dinner in East Glacier Park, Montana the evening before the workshop begins. The destination for those who come by air is Glacier International Airport at Kalispell, Montana. Amtrak provides service directly to the town of East Glacier Park. The trip to the ranch after dinner is 15 miles (about 45 minutes) over unpaved and ranch roads. Transportation to and from the Amtrak depot is provided, and we may be able to assist you from and back to the airport.
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Accomodations
Cabin at Doc's ranch
Lodging is provided in the ranch bunk house and a small cabin. They are rustic log buildings equipped with water, electricity, wood heat, electric range, refrigerator, sink, tables, chairs and beds. There is a bathhouse with a hot shower, and outhouses. Except for fresh eggs, which are provided daily by Doc’s hens, each student needs to bring enough groceries and drinks to prepare their own meals for the week. Kitchens are equipped with dishes, cookware, salt, pepper, sugar, etc., dish soap, paper towels, etc. – so just bring your major grocery items and beverages. There is good well water for drinking.
What to bring
Doc’s ranch is at 5,000 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains. Expect cool to cold nights (30 to 50 F) and cool to hot days (50 to 85 F).
- Sleeping bag or bedding, and pillow
- Socks, underwear, etc.
- Comfortable, rugged, preferably high-top footwear (suitable for irregular ground)
- Washcloth, towel, hygiene articles
- Rain gear and waterproof boots
- Durable pants and shirts (some long sleeved)
- Cap or hat for sunshade
- Leather gloves for driving – thin, form fitted
- Warm clothes – coat, jacket, sweat shirts, vest, hat, and gloves
- Sunglasses, sun screen, water bottle
- Flashlight, camera, film (binoculars optional)
- Bandana or neckerchief
- Favorite songs, stories, poems, etc.
- Musical instruments
- Desire to learn and a sense of humor
- Insect repellant
Cost
Ranch workshops: The price for the workshops in 2010 will be $1050. This is comprised of a non-refundable booking fee of $350, with a $350 installment payment due 90 days before the workshop, and a final payment of $350 due 30 days before the workshop.
Each workshop is limited to five students. If you’d like to bring a family member or friend along to observe, the observing price will be half the hands-on price, or $525.
For specialty workshops, contact Doc for prices and details
Contact Doc Hammill
Email: workshops@dochammill.com or phone 406 – 250 – 8252.
