Horseback Riding Director

Red Arrow Camp, Inc.; Town of Woodruff (WI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Arrow Camp, Inc. is seeking an Equine Instructor to oversee the care, feeding, and management of the camp herd while supervising a Stable Hand(s). You will run group riding lessons for campers and help riders advance their horsemanship during a fun, safety-focused summer program.

You will collaborate with the Director on veterinary/farrier services and contribute to a safe, engaging learning environment with attention to campers' development in horsemanship and stable skills.

Qualifications

• Experienced with horses and stable spaces.
• Identify lame or ill horses, signs of colic, and provide basic equine first aid.
• Proficient in English and Western tack; assess safety and comfort of tack.
• Teach balanced riding position in English or Western styles.
• Capable of teaching foundational riding skills and safe mounting/dismounting.
• Knowledge of emergency stops and rein control for rider safety.
• Familiar with patterns, drills, and exercises to develop riding and rider awareness.
• Ability to lead group trail rides safely and responsibly.
• Recognize stressed horses or campers and adjust activities accordingly.
• Demonstrate leadership, communication, and situational awareness for a fun, safe learning space.

Responsibilities

• Oversee feeding, care, and management of the camp herd.
• Supervise a Stable Hand(s) and coordinate stable operations.
• Lead group riding lessons for campers aged 6-10, six days a week.
• Coordinate with Director for veterinary or farrier services as needed.
• Ensure safety in stable areas and horse spaces; maintain tack and stable upkeep.
• Organize repairs with the facility manager and manage daily duties.
• Guide staff on daily responsibilities and promote stable management.
• Support campers pursuing Riding Emblems and horsemanship growth.

Skills

Equine care

Riding instruction

Group teaching

Safety awareness

Stable management

Team supervision

First aid (equine)

Tack handling (English/Western)

Trails leadership

Camper mentorship

Job description

The Equine Instructor will oversee all feeding, care, and management of the camp herd of 10-12 horses. They will be supported by and supervise a Stable Hand(s) who will assist them. Group lessons of 6-10 kids will run throughout the day, 6 days per week. Campers who wish to earn a Riding emblem will have opportunities to spend extra time at the stables advancing their horsemanship. The Equine Instructor will be required to attend all staff events and meetings.

Responsibilities and Duties :

• Oversee feeding, care, and management of the herd.
• Developing and adjusting feed programs for individual horses and the herd.
• Working with Director to arrange services from a vet or farrier as needed.
• Managing any behavioral or physical needs a horse might have.
• Stable Management.
• Have an eye for Safety as it pertains to the stable areas and horse spaces.
• Oversee and implement systems around stable upkeep.
• Organizing and caring for Tack.
• Keeping stables clean and tidy.
• Noticing the need for any repairs in stable or fencing and working with facility manager to have those taken care of promptly.
• Guide employee in knowing what their duties are each day.
• Support employee in gaining knowledge of stable management and equine care.
• Instruction of campers.
• Emphasis on Safety in all teaching scenarios, i.e. horses that are feeling safe and campers that are feeling safe.
• Teach campers in groups of 6-10.
• Instruct in a variety of areas including general horse behavior, care, and anatomy, grooming, tacking horses up, ground work, arena riding, and trail riding.
• Offer time to support individual campers who want to pursue a Riding Emblem with advancing their horsemanship skills and knowledge.
• Participate in all staff functions and meetings as necessary.
• Understand camp roles and request support as needed from the proper people.
• Contribute to Red Arrow Camp as a whole and support campers and fellow staff in having a safe and fun summer.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience caring for horses and horse spaces.
• Can identify a lame or ill horse, notice signs of colic, administer basic equine first aid.
• Competent with English and Western tack, including knowledge about the different bits that may be used in each discipline and the ability to spot any issues with tack that may be a safety or comfort concern for horses or riders.
• Competent with teaching a balanced riding position in either English or Western style.
• Comfortable with teaching basic foundational riding skills.
• Mounting and Dismounting safely.
• Emergency or One Rein Stops and Emergency dismounts.
• Balanced seat in walk, trot, and canter.
• Proper rein positions for communicating different maneuvers such as hindquarter yields, forequarter yields, and rein back.
• Knowledge of simulations, patterns, and basic teaching exercises that develop riding skills and rider body awareness.
• Knowledge of advanced horsemanship skills including a 2 point jumping seat to support riders over small jumps.
• Familiar with trail riding etiquette and comfortable leading a group trail ride in safe and structured way.
• Competent to identify a horse that is stressed or not feeling safe and able to take measures to help that horse via groundwork, adjusting the situation that the horse is in, or retreating from the task if appropriate.
• Competent to identify a camper that’s not feeling safe and able to take measures to help that camper via offering support, adjusting the situation the camper is in, or retreating from the task if appropriate.
• Able to problem solve with horses and campers around behavioral issues, and know when to pull a horse or camper out of an activity in which it cannot stay safe.
• Able to demonstrate leadership skills, effective communication, and maintain situational awareness so as to support and fun and safe learning space for Equine activities.