Free Spirit Horsemanship

2008 Internships

Free Spirit Ranch (FSR) had a very successful internship season in 2007. Four interns participated in the program. They learned many new things, faced learning challenges, worked with a variety of horses, and were exposed to many horse training experiences they normally would not have.

Due to the success of the 2007 internships, internships will be offered again for the spring, summer, and fall of 2008. Jessee Province (the owner, instructor, and trainer at the ranch) will be conducting the internships.

What's contained in the internship program?

Interns will be learning natural horsemanship in numerous ways and forms. Some of the learning activities will include:

hands on training of a variety of horses in both age (yearling to senior) and training levels (unstarted to advanced) - this will be done thru one-on-one and group instruction - training will be indirectly supervised as intern advances

observing lessons and taking notes for discussion after each lesson - traveling to lessons with Jessee will be necessary

a training program and schedule will be created for each horse based on an assessment of the horse with ongoing progress tracking

homework will be assigned - this involves study of videos and/or books and answering study questions

providing support at clinics

interns will be exposed to various educational programs available from top natural horsemanship clinicians/trainers

exposure to arena and trail riding

Where are the internships held?

The internships will be held at Free Spirit Ranch in Peyton, Colorado, also at lessons sites away from ranch, clinic sites, and riding trails and arenas as appropriate.

Is there a cost for this internship?

FSR internships are free of charge. However, in exchange for this valuable learning opportunity, interns are expected to help at the ranch with daily cleaning, watering, feeding, and turnout of horses each day the intern is in attendance. Interns receive no payment, salary, or insurance benefits.

How long are the internships?

That will depend on the intern and how their availability will work into the FSR schedule. Internships could be as short as full-time for 2 weeks, to part-time for the entire summer. Weekdays and weekends will be available. We hope to start the internships in later April or May - as weather permits. Each intern's schedule may differ.

Use of the intern's horse(s) during the internship:

An intern may use their own horse during the internship, if the horse is boarded at FSR during the full time span of their internship. The intern must also understand that their horse will not be the only horse they will work with during the internship. As part of the training program for your horse, it might be necessary for other interns to work with your horse as well. Stallions, extreme or dangerous horses will not be allowed as this would deter from the purpose of the internships.

FSR's mission and goal

FSR strives to be a human and horse friendly place. Humor, imperfection, discussion, openness, and understanding are welcomed. "Have fun, learns lots, and come out the other end with better horses and humans."

We will try to customize each internship to meet the needs of the intern if possible. Care will be given to matching learning opportunities with intern experience and goals. Safety is most important.

Basic Requirements for interns:

Interns must have some experience handling horses.
Interns must be at least 21 years old, and be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to work with horses. Some lack of confidence around horses is OK.
Interns must be self-motivated, dedicated, reliable, mature, responsible, and able to learn.
Interns must be available for the dates and times specified in their application. This is a serious opportunity for dedicated students only.
All interns must sign liability waivers. You must show proof of health insurance. A personal liability policy is recommended.

Ongoing Requirements:

Once the interns have been selected, a mandatory group meeting will be scheduled. This meeting will be used for introductions, discussing the flow of the internships, housekeeping, scheduling, duties instruction, introduction to the horses and planning.
Regular group meetings will be scheduled as necessary to review, discuss, and revise training programs for each horse

Interns may be dismissed at any time for use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs or for unethical or inappropriate conduct. FSR reserves the right to terminate an internship at any time, for any reason.

To apply for this internship, please completed the application and submit to FSR. Download the application form and information sheet (DOC, 36KB).

FSR looks forward to receiving your applications!