New Ranch in Evansville Aims to Build Grit and Character the Cowboy Way

"I Should've Been a Cowboy"

Remember that old Toby Keith song, “I Should’ve Been a Cowboy”? It’s about a guy who never chased his dream of being a wrangler out West. Instead of roping and riding, chasing outlaws on the open plains, and stealing kisses from Miss Kitty, he lived a regular life and regretted it.

Meet Kelsey Coslett: Evansville’s Real-Life Cowboy

One Evansville native didn’t miss his shot at that cowboy life. Kelsey Coslett had a dream. What started as a feeling turned into a direction, and now it's becoming a full-blown reality.

If the name “Coslett” sounds familiar, you might be thinking of his dad, Pat Coslett, the longtime owner and operator of Simplicity Furniture, Jublilation, and other stores in the Evansville area. Kelsey told me that his parents have always encouraged him to chase his dreams and fully believe in him and his visions for the future.

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From Business Major to Ranch Wrangler

After graduating from high school, Kelsey headed to Georgetown College and later the University of Louisville to study business. But even while sitting in classrooms, he felt the West calling. He needed to be a cowboy.

So he packed up and went for it. Kelsey spent several years in Northern California, Montana, and Colorado working as a wrangler on cattle ranches. He trained horses, worked on dude ranches, and helped both tenderfoots and seasoned cowhands experience ranch life. It was hands-on, hard-earned experience that brought his dream to life.

He loved it, but eventually, he felt it was time to come home.

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Returning Home With a Ranch Vision

Much like his dad, Kelsey has an entrepreneurial spirit. When he spotted a need in the Evansville area, he decided to fill it.

If you're part of the equine community in Evansville, you’ve probably heard of Stone Ridge Animal & Equine Care. Dr. Stone was one of the few vets around here who treated horses and originally ran the practice out of his farm behind the Vanderburgh 4-H grounds on Wortman Rd. When the Coslett family had the opportunity to take ownership of the property, they decided to turn it into something new: Coslett's K Lazy C.

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A New Local Ranch Where Families Can Unplug

I stopped in at the ranch yesterday and was dazzled by what I saw. When I pulled up, a man with a mustache in a ten-gallon hat greeted me. He already looked like he stepped right off the set of Yellowstone, but when he put on his chaps and mounted his big, beautiful Buckskin Sonny, I knew he was the real deal.

Kelsey gave me a tour of the barn, introduced me to some of the ranch hands, and showed off the newly renovated horse stalls. The ranch is now ready to start boarding horses, with the first boarders arriving in July.

Kelsey knows how important it is to horse owners to have a safe place to board where they feel like their horses are being taken care of. He told me that he boarded his horse locally for a while, so he’s been in their boots.

More Than Horse Boarding: Building a Ranch Family

Their mission is simple: create a place where families can step away from screens and reconnect with nature.

"Working on a ranch really grounded me. I felt that connection, and I want to share that with others. I want this place to be more than a ranch. I want my boarders to feel like they are in a family. I want kids who come here to connect with something real. I don't have kids of my own, but my friends do, and they have plenty of opportunities to be in front of a screen. They don't always have opportunities to get outside, learn about real work, or get their hands dirty." - Kelsey Coslett

As the mom of a 4-H kid, I can tell you I get it. My daughter shows horses at the fair every year. Don't get me wrong, she loves her phone, but the phone doesn't teach patience, consistency, leadership, or give her even an ounce of love in return.

What’s Next at K Lazy C Ranch?

Kelsey and his team are adding more animals to the ranch and expanding their offerings. In addition to horse boarding and training, they plan to launch riding and cowboy lessons, cowboy camps, rodeo-focused events for kids, and family-friendly animal experiences.
I asked what sets Cowboy Camp apart from other camps in the area, and Kelsey said it’s all about hands-on ranch work like roping, wrangling, and animal care.

My daughter even got to try goat wrangling during our visit. She had a ball and has been non-stop begging me to get her a goat. (The answer is a resounding - NO. Be nice to Mr. Coslett, and maybe you can go back and wrangle his goats some more.)

Get In Touch With YOUR Inner Cowboy

So, no, I’m not buying a goat. But I am buying into what Kelsey’s building here. And if you’ve ever dreamed of wide-open spaces, a little dirt under your nails, and something real to hold on to, maybe it’s time to saddle up too.

In a world full of screens and scrolls, it’s refreshing to find a place where kids can be kids, horses are teachers, and community comes first. At Coslett's K Lazy C, the values of the cowboy life, hard work, respect, responsibility, and grit, are alive and well. Kelsey Coslett isn’t just chasing a dream, he’s building a legacy and inviting the rest of us along for the ride.

Keep up to date wth with Kelsey and his crew at Coslett's K Lazy C on Facebook.