HAYDEN Walters might never have found his career as a ringer, or even his backside onto a horse, if it wasn't for his best mate.

The Cooma-born 17-year-old was a snowboarder who competed in the Interschools snowsports competitions for JIndabyne Central School.

His mum is a lifeguard. His dad a builder.

There were no horses close by in Hayden's childhood. No family influences from the horse, cattle or working on the land world at all.

But then he met Charlie Rogerson at school, another snowboarder and a whole new path was set for his life that he never could have anticipated.

While the pair enjoyed snowboarding together, Charlie, who had been handling horses and riding with his mum Claire, of Snowy Brumby Horsemanship, introduced Hayden to horse riding, and he took to it like the proverbial duck (or horse) to water.

"I used to come up to Charlie's place to ride and then Charlie was getting into being a stockman and I thought I might as well follow," he said.

"I decided I wanted to work as a ringer, which is stock worker on a cattle station."

Hayden left school in Year 10 and headed off to the Northern Territory to work for Heytesbury Pastoral which operates six stations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, spanning 2.7 million hectares, running 165,000 head of Brahman cattle across rugged and breathtaking country.

He was based on a station three hours out of Katherine and spent six months learning the ropes, so to speak and loving every minute of it.

You would think that a boy from the touristy Snowy Mountains who loved snowboarding might find the 40 degree plus temperatures and isolation of a remote cattle property difficult, but Hayden says he feels very much at home there.

"I can't wait to get back up there," he said.

"I came home for a couple of months because of the wet season but am going back in March.

"When I am there I live on a station with about six other ringers in shared quarters.

"I don't mind being away from home. I just like the work, especially the cattle."

Eventually, Hayden hopes to become a lead hand or even a station manager.

"I really don't miss the Snowies," he said.

"I do miss my best mate, as he taught me everything I know, but we get on the phone at the end of most days to talk about what work we've been up to.

"I work with Brahmans whereas he works with Angus."

Hayden says his parents have been immensely supportive of his career choice, "although mum's a bit sad".

While home, he's been working with Charlie who has set up his own stockman business.

"I never would have thought I would be doing this, but it feels really natural," he said.

Hayden encouraged other young people thinking of a career on the land to consider his employer, which advertises on its website.

A range of seasonal positions are available for people who enjoy outdoor physical activities, working with livestock, want to develop superior horsemanship skills and/or participate in all aspects of property and equipment maintenance and upkeep.

A range of seasonal and permanent positions are available with seasonal station hands required for the mustering season, which runs from March to November.

More information can be found at: https://heytesburypastoral.com.au/welcome-to-heytesbury-pastoral/careers/