'The Pioneer Woman': Ree Drummond’s Husband Ladd Reveals the Surprising Truth About Cowboy Life

Pioneer Woman star Ree Drummond’s husband, Ladd Drummond, shared the truth about life as a cowboy, and it’s far more than just riding horses and tending to cattle.

In a new video uploaded to the family’s Drummond Ranch YouTube channel, the Drummond family patriarch shared details of how being a cowboy is much more than the work done. Its a way of life.

The video’s caption states, “[Being a cowboy] is a responsibility, a mindset, and a commitment to doing things the right way—even when no one’s watching. From caring for the land and livestock to treating others with respect, the cowboy code of ethics shows up in the everyday decisions that keep the ranchrunning smoothly. Long days in the saddle, steady routines, and generations of hard-earned knowledge all come together in work that’s guided by integrity, pride, and honest effort.”

It concludes, “While the work is tough, the rewards are real—quiet mornings watching the sun rise from horseback, feeling the rhythm of the day begin, and knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself. This episode is a look at the values, challenges, and meaningful moments that define cowboy life, both on and off the ranch.”

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Before taking on ranch work as his full-time profession, Ladd left the Drummond family’s Pawhuska, Oklahoma, ranch to attend Arizona State University. Per The Pioneer Woman website, Ladd is such a devoted grad that during his and Ree’s wedding reception, he and his friends spent a lot of time watching the game and cheering on their alma mater.

However, the ranch’s pull was too strong to resist. So after graduation, Ladd returned to Pawhuska to work there full-time.

In the clip, he admits, “I knew without a doubt what I was going to do. When I was younger, it was not what I wanted to do.”

“As I got older and went to college and spent some time away, I realized how good it was and how much I enjoyed working with the guys and being out in the country.”

He concluded, “Just doing an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. I mean, its a pretty good life, its hard to beat.”

Ladd added that the cowboy lifestyle is a world where you do “million-dollar deals on a handshake.” He said his “God-given responsibility” to take care of the animals on the ranch and be the best “steward, manager, or caretaker” of these creatures is the most important aspect of his job.

The Drummond Ranch has been in operation since 1911. Ladd Drummond and his brother Tim Drummond run the family business. Ladd and Ree have four children: Alex Drummond Scott, Paige Drummond Andersen, Bryce Drummond, and Todd Drummond.