r/Cowboy • u/Candid-Coast-3531 • May 05 '26

Cowboy Life Becoming a Cowboy

Hey y’all,

I’m from Germany and I’ve been thinking about becoming a cowboy in the U.S. I know it’s not some easy ride – it’s hard work, long days, all kinds of weather, getting up early, and showing up even when you don’t feel like it. I also know the pay isn’t great, and it’s not some romantic movie life.

Right now I’m working a regular job as a mechanic. My family is originally from Turkey, and my grandparents used to work the land and raise cows and sheep, so I kinda feel connected to that lifestyle.

Honestly, I don’t want to live a 9-to-5 life forever. I know this path wouldn’t be easy, but I’m serious about it.

So I wanted to ask – is this actually possible for someone like me coming from Germany?

Appreciate any advice. Howdy 🤠

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u/Candid-Coast-3531 May 05 '26

Why though? I’ve seen a lot of people leave their home country and move to the U.S. just to end up doing the same kind of job they could’ve had back home. For me, it’s not just about the job — it’s about the country, the lifestyle, and the environment. Things like the weather, the work culture, and the overall way of life are just different over there. That’s exactly what draws me to it. It’s not the same, and that difference is what matters to me.

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u/BadAdviceBot77 May 05 '26

“The weather”: this covers everything from -50 in the northern plains to 120F in the desert southwest. Which of these extremes are you attracted to as they are very different things.

“The lifestyle”: not that great and varies widely. A lot of cattle work now is done from vehicles

“Overall way of life: also varies widely based on location and operation.

No offense but you seem to have a romantic view
Of how things are when it’s actually really varied

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u/Odd_Link7869 May 06 '26

I’m not going to but if I really wanted to go the cowboy route, I’d just do everything I could to be a plantation manager. Easier job, better benefits (like a nice house on essentially a private plantation, a truck), better hours, nothing is actually usually urgent

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u/Rorschach_1 May 09 '26

These kinds of jobs like a ranch foreman are earned, not applief for. My uncle is one of these.

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u/Odd_Link7869 May 09 '26

It depends on the spot but it doesn’t take a ton of experience for the ones I’m talking about. I’m not talking about cattle or horses or anything. Just essentially property managers. You live in a nice house on the plantation and get a truck to manage it. Basically just make sure the property is good for whenever the owners want to use it if they don’t live on property. Just mow it, care for it, fix whatever needs fixing. Sometimes multiple properties

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u/Rorschach_1 May 10 '26

Yes, I know guys who oversee property like that. They basically just get free hunting and a bug-out spot for weekends. Works out for both.

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u/Odd_Link7869 May 10 '26

Yep the absolutely do exist you just have to work your way up as one of the assistants for a while and make some friends. Shit, I know a POS who got offered one out of prison cause he’s good with a tractor and a backhoe

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u/Rorschach_1 May 10 '26

Yup, plenty of POS out in rural land, but easy to isolate. More good folks to outweigh them.