Head Wrangler

Colvig Silver Camps is looking to hire a Head Wrangler to lead and manage our summer camp riding program this summer. We have a small and simple riding program.  We have a summer herd of about 15 to 20 horses. Wranglers will need to rise early, to gather the horses from pasture to be used for that day's activities. Wranglers are responsible for leading all horse activities (e.g. tack and care, arena work, short trail rides, and all-day trail rides). As always, with horses, safety is the number one priority.  Applicants must have a desire to work with kids ages 7 - 17, and be aware of the challenges that accompany working with kids and horses. Applicants should be comfortable in a supervisory role in an equestrian environment, as our Wranglers are in charge of everything related to the horse program, including being aware of horse health and care.

Minimum Age: Head Wrangler: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior
Terms of Employment: Wranglers are hired for 12 weeks unless contracted otherwise 
Salary: $4,900- plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between sessions 
Number Hired: One

Responsibilities: 
The Wranglers' primary responsibility is for the safety and welfare of campers (ages 7-17) taking part in the riding program. Riding groups will typically include 6-10 campers and at least one counselor. Counselors will be responsible for managing camper behavior, enabling the wranglers to focus on instruction.

Wranglers are responsible for planning and teaching Western-style riding and tack care based on a progression as follows: safety/equipment/basics > arena riding > trail riding. Our philosophy is that campers should not ride until they have first mastered the basics of tack care and grooming (hoof cleaning, brushing, saddling, bridling, etc.) Typically the first activity session with a group of campers will begin with an in-depth discussion of horse safety, then basic tack care/grooming, and if there is time, some arena riding to introduce basic horse control. Ideally, groups progress to half- and full-day trail rides in & around camp (over the course of several activity periods). Both wranglers should expect to be leading groups of campers nearly every morning and afternoon.

Wranglers are also responsible for the care of 12-15 horses and related tack. This includes "breaking in" horses that have not been ridden during the winter/spring months and working with a farrier and/or veterinarian. The ability to detect illness and injury in horses is essential. Wranglers must be physically capable of lifting saddles, controlling strong horses, lifting bales of hay, etc.

Wranglers will also be asked to assist in other areas of camp when not involved in horse activities. This may include supervising movie nights, washing dishes, assisting staff with other activities, or running errands.