Katie

I have completed many different college courses related to equine performance and management. For example, I have taken eventing, mini prix jumping, competition dressage, adventure trails, equine facilities management 2, equine science 2, pedagogy, and methods and materials of equine assisted therapy. I am also CHA certified in the following areas: Level 3 English instructor, level 3 western instructor, and level 2 barn manager.

riding, training, grooming, equine medical care, farm maintenance, barn chores, lesson instruction, barn management

I have worked in both a private, small scale barn and a larger more professional barn. I have worked in smaller barns for about six years now. I managed herds from two horses up to about ten at a time. For many of these horses I was taking care of chores, riding, and making appointments for them. I have also worked at larger scale barns for about 4 years. My most recent barn I have been working at is the equestrian center at Houghton University where I attend. There are about forty lesson horses and fifteen boarded horses that I help to take care of. We not only take care of their everyday chores, but also keep a close eye on them to make sure that we notice any changes in their health.

Public speaking and communication skills come natural to me, I have presented nationally and have lead meetings for multiple equine society clubs. I am very well organized and work quick and efficiently, I am able to use excel to organize budgets, appointments, and other aspects of barn life. Nothing goes unnoticed, I am very observant to each and every horse I care for. I am knowledgeable on equine lamenesses and illnesses, and can pinpoint symptoms of each.

I have ridden everything from young horses, green horses, and problem horses to schoolmasters, lesson horses, and well trained show horses. I have brought up all of my own horses from groundwork on to riding competitions. I have some experience starting horses, but mostly restarting and retraining. As for disciplines, I have done English pleasure, eventing, hunter/jumper, dressage, western pleasure, gymkhana, driving, trail riding, and miniature halter.

I have competed in multiple shows varying from open and schooling shows to rated shows. I have shown at local all around shows and barrel races. I am also registered as an AMHR member and have shown at rated miniature horse shows. I have worked at and helped run a few open shows near me as well. I have some grooming experience, but it was for my friends at shows that hired me to braid or clip, or even tack and exercise horses.