Working Student Program (NEW!)

Introducing a new program at Riding 4 Life. For anyone interested in getting their hands dirty in exchange for some lessons or clinics - here's your chance.

For many years we've offered programs called 'Lifer's', or 'Ranch Hands'. Both programs offered youth a chance to get involved with chores and horse care as well as have greater access to practice time, group lessons, and even trail rides and other outings. It was a great way to give those interested in owning a horse some day a chance to try on a lot things before getting too heavily invested in something they might not enjoy long term.

However, those programs asked a lot of our horses, our time, and our resources without a fair exchange from it's participants. So we're now offering a program that may be more flexible for participants, and that properly represents the true time, sweat, and monetary costs of learning horsemanship and husbandry skills.

Program basics:

• Submit a resume complete with a few references and a brief cover letter describing what you hope to learn and why you'd like to become a working student at Riding 4 Life.

  
  

• If accepted, read and sign our working student agreement and attend at least one training shift to learn some basics about the work including important safety protocols, facility procedures, and other relevant orientation details. There is no cost to you for this training, but there will also be no credit earned for this one.

  
  

• Once our staff is satisfied that you can work independently, you can sign up for available shifts. Your time will be valued at $20/hour given a reasonable pace of work. Track you time on a time sheet and use the value earned toward Riding 4 Life programs and services appropriate to your horsemanship level.

  
  

• For those with a great work ethic, consistency, and enthusiasm, we can also offer great work references, letters of recommendation, and even work experience hours if it fits your needs.

Please note: Your time will not be eligible for cash compensation at this time unless you are invited to fill some paid hours alongside our staff. You are considered a student of our programs and NOT an employee.

Also, if you're new to us, you must also submit an INTAKE form to our programs complete with a waiver signed by a parent if you are under 18. And YES that means adults are welcome to apply to this program!

So if you are interested in meeting to talk more about this opportunity, please send a resume, references and cover letter to leann@riding4life.ca to get started.