WORKING STUDENT PROGRAM
Owning a horse is a big commitment. We want our students to understand just how much time, effort, dirt, and money are required to keep horses safe and happy. We also believe that owning horses is a privilege that should be earned. That's why we created a unique program that lets prospective horse owners learn firsthand whether or not they're ready for the challenges of horse ownership.
We teach the REALITIES of living with horses: mucking stalls, feeding, maintaining the fences and pastures, grooming and health care, emergency care, stable cleaning and maintenance, financial planning. Working students get hands-on experience that they can apply to our Horsekeeping Levels Program -- and hopefully, they gain an appreciation for the amount and type of work involved in keeping horses.
Who is eligible to be a Working Student?
The program is open to adults and children aged 8 or older who want to learn about horse care -- you don't have to be enrolled in a riding program here at HorseSense to participate. You do, however, need to be physically fit enough for manual labor. A strong work ethic and a willingness to do whatever is needed (e.g., picking up rocks in the pasture or rearranging the manure pile) will also be required.
Attitude is everything here. Domesticated horses can't take care of themselves and will suffer if we are not willing to take responsibility for their well-being. Students need to understand and accept that the commitment to taking care of horses doesn't revolve around their own comfort: our horses rely upon us to do the work even when the weather is miserable, when we don't feel good, when it's a holiday and everyone else is home celebrating.
Some of our working students come to us with something to prove to their parents. In fact, it's one good way for parents to find out if a child is ready for the responsibility of horse ownership. (But please, ask our opinion before you go buy that horse!) We even have a few students who are working to convince their parents that they are ready for a commitment to riding lessons.
How much does it cost?
Well, in monetary terms, nothing. We don't charge a fee. However, we do require that you make a commitment: we expect you to show up when scheduled, to do the work assigned cheerfully and thoroughly, to ask questions and be an active participant in the learning process. We also require you to attend HorseSense clinics (which do have a small fee) and to continue that learning on your own by reading and researching. There's a lot to learn, and you will need to make time to learn it.
How does the Working Student Program work?
Working Student
Days will be scheduled one Saturday each month, on the same days as our
HorseSense clinics -- click here to see the
HorseSense schedule.
Students work together to perform barn chores, and we usually have at
least one HorseSense lesson during the day.
Dana is also available during that time with free instruction for
students who are working through their Horsekeeping Levels.
Students who want to come work at HorseSense between our group Saturdays can call us to discuss scheduling.
Working students are strongly encouraged to study at home in addition to the hands-on work at HorseSense. We offer inexpensive Study Guides for each level that students can purchase to help them learn. They can also stay to attend our HorseSense clinics with a discount that makes this a very affordable equine education.
We use the Horsekeeping Levels Program to help parents know when their child is ready for horse ownership. In general, we prefer to see a student achieve their Blue Level Horsekeeping ribbon (or higher) before they become responsible for a horse.
How do I sign up for the program?
Call and make an appointment to talk to us. We usually take new working students on a trial basis at first, to make sure that students are able and willing to handle the work. After the trial period we'll require that you make a commitment to the program and to learning all that you can about horses.