Rachel

In May of 2023, I will be graduating with a double major in Equine Facilitated Therapeutics and Equine Studies with a concentration in equine management and a minor in special education. Throughout my time in college I have taken a training class where I had one horse the whole semester that I had to work with. I have had western riding classes. I have also taken equine anatomy, equine health management class, equine performance management, equine facility management, and student teaching.

Therapeutic Instructor: teaching riding skills to children/ adults who have disabilities. Riding Instructor: provide lessons to students; work with horse and rider to teach them skills on and off the ground. Barn Manager: feeding, turn out/ in, etc.

I have worked at a Standardbred farm; they trained their horses for harness racing. While working there I fed horses, turned horses in and out, cleaned stalls, handled stallions, broodmares, and foals. I also helped exercise the horses on the ground. I worked there for a year but then unfortunately they have to move their horses out of state. I have worked at a therapeutic riding barn. I helped in the lessons by leading the horse, being a side walker, and arena setup. I also feed horses, turn them in and out, exercise on the ground and riding, bathing, and every day horse maintenance. I have worked there on my breaks from college for about 3 years. I have also been a camp counselor at a horse camp. My position was watching over my 5 campers and making sure they got place to place on time. I also was able to ride the horses for fun and help with every day horse maintenance.

I have some basic knowledge working with foals, stallions, and broodmares- feeding them, turning them in/out of fields, and cleaning their stalls. I have knowledge of barn and horse maintenance. I have been a volunteer and a volunteer coordinator for a therapeutic riding barn. Currently I am a student instructor; teaching children and adults with disabilities how to ride. As a student instructor, I come up with the lesson plans and the arena setup.

I have ridden problem horses, young horses, and green horses. My personal horse was green when I got him and he has come a long way since I have had him in Western riding. For a semester in college I was in a training class and was given a young, problem horse that I had to work with everyday. I have basic knowledge of English on the flat, but I ride Western. I would still love to learn more about working with different types of horses and different disciplines.

I have competed in IHSA Western shows, schooling shows, and clinics. I would love to learn and be willing to learn how to organize competitions, and work in competitions yards or be a competition groom.