Wrangler

Wranglers at Ring Lake Ranch are responsible for working with our Head Wrangler and (occasionally) one or two teenage staff assistants, to provide a high-quality riding experience for Ring Lake Ranch guests.  Guest groups are typically 20 to 40 per week, with varying numbers of guests riding each day.  Work begins on May 18th, 2025, and concludes around September 6th, 2025.  Start and end dates of employment could be negotiated based on student schedules, other work commitments, etc. The wranglers work together to:

• Carry out all aspects of a fun and safe riding program for guests of all ages.

• Provide a safety and basic riding technique orientation to all guests before their first ride.

•  Plan rides for each day of the week based on guest interest, ability level, and age. This may mean offering two rides per day of different skill levels, leading short kid-friendly rides, etc.  The wranglers are encouraged to be creative with rides (i.e. destination rides, contemplative rides, themed rides, etc.)

• Assess guests’ riding ability and assign them to appropriate horses and rides.

• Help guests develop basic riding skills through the course of the week.

• Work with interested guests, including children, to show them proper grooming techniques after rides.

• Be responsible for the health and welfare of the horse herd, including feed, shoeing, and veterinary care, both routine and emergency.

• Integrate new horses into the existing herd and maintain the appropriate skills and riding habits of the current herd.

• Work with occasional weekly volunteers who want to work with the riding program with tasks appropriate to their skills.

• Assist the Facilities Manager in the transportation of hay to meet current and upcoming needs.

• Clean and maintain all corrals daily. Clean and maintain tack and water troughs weekly.

• Coordinate feeding responsibilities on weekends between wranglers, staff assistants, and other staff as needed.

• Assist the Facilities Manager to ensure that vehicles, trailers, and other heavy equipment are safe and well-maintained.

In addition to these duties, wranglers are expected to attend the guest orientation session on Sunday evenings to meet guests, as well as collect information on guest interest and skill levels when the Head Wrangler is not available.  Like all staff members, all wranglers are expected to eat meals and interact with guests in a kind, enthusiastic, and professional manner.

We expect all of our staff to abide by the RLR Staff Values and Expectations stated here: https://ringlake.org/about/staff/.

Compensation:
The position pays $700 per week plus a share of any tips left by guests. Room and board are provided for the summer. Staff may attend our evening seminars, and can enjoy hiking in the mountains, canoeing, and fishing during free time and trail rides, depending on availability.

Qualifications:
Experience working with horses in trail riding is a must, and applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to fulfill all aspects of the job description. Besides that, wranglers need to be good with people, flexible, and willing to work at whatever needs to be done
at a guest ranch/retreat center. CPR and WFA certification will be available during staff orientation at the start of the summer and wranglers will be expected to participate and receive certification