La Cense Montana is a 35,000-hectare ranch situated in the west of the United States in Dillon (MT). William Kriegel bought it in 2000 and took over its cattle raising activity. 7,000 cattle graze in the wide open spaces. Known as “Nature Ranching”, the farm uses traditional cattle rearing methods. The cattle are raised on grass, without hormones or antibiotics. Optimal use is made of the extensive pastures through a system of regularly rotating the grazing areas. The herds are managed by cowboys on horseback and their dogs.
The ranch permanently has around ten horses which work with the cattle. The cowboys use the La Cense Method to train the horses. Their expertise is widely recognized, particularly in the field of breaking. Building on this, Willian Kriegel began the creation of a university diploma entitled the “Bachelor of Natural Horsemanship” in partnership with the State University in Dillon. The three-year program allows 80 students to follow general classes (English, history, general knowledge etc.), theory (veterinary medicine, hippology, ethics, etc.) and practical classes (handling a horse on foot, riding, and training young horses). The latter part is led by Eric Hoffman, equestrian manager of La Cense Montana.
Every year, students from the Ecole La Cense follow a three-month course on breaking. Quarter horse farms who work in partnership with La Cense Montana, entrust students with the responsibility of training foals aged 1, 2 and 3 years old, under the responsibility of Eric Hoffman. Sharing the same expert approach, La Cense and La Cense Montana also share the same values of respect for nature.
