In most places, a senior prank might involve silly string, toilet paper, or fake announcements over the loudspeaker. But in Montana, seniors like to keep things old-school. Literally.

On Monday, May 23, 12 seniors at Conrad High School pulled off a hilarious and unforgettable stunt: they rode horses to school. But the real kicker? Thanks to an old Montana “law,” their principal had to care for the horses all day.

Yes, seriously.

Principal, Meet Your New Job: Horse Wrangler

The viral moment came when Principal Raymond DeBruycker was spotted tending to a dozen horses lined up outside the school. According to Conrad Public Schools, there’s a supposed law in Montana that says:

“If a student rides their horse to school, the school principal has to feed and tend to the horse throughout the day.”

The district posted the photos on Facebook with the perfect caption:
“It looks like Mr. DeBruycker has his work cut out for him today.”

Is This a Real Law?

Technically? No one can quite prove it.

McClatchy News couldn’t locate the law in any official legal archive, but it seems to live on in local tradition. Other Montana students have done similar pranks in the past and some locals are more than happy to keep the legend alive.

“It’s still on the Montana law,” said retired Pondera County Sheriff Carl Suta. “The principal has to feed, water, and walk your horse.”
“I think we might be rednecks.”

A Nod to the Past

Whether or not it’s officially in the law books, the roots of this tradition are very real. A Montana School Transportation document from 1992 confirms that horse stables and hitching posts were once common on school grounds well into the 20th century.

Back then, riding a horse to school wasn’t a prank it was just how you got there.

Final Thought

In a world filled with digital distractions, there’s something charmingly wholesome about students saddling up for school and pranking with a little bit of local lore. Whether or not the law is still active, one thing is clear:

These students just made the most Montana-style exit possible.

And Principal DeBruycker? Well, he deserves a hay bale and a nap.