Riding Program

Wrangler - Teen Excursions

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Teen Excursions Wrangler: The Teen Excursions Program is designed to provide enriching experiences for teen guests at the A Bar A. These include adventures that help teens build skills such as riding, hiking, and fly-fishing, while learning about the ranch's history and natural history. The goal is to help teens make connections, deepen friendships, and create life-long memories at the ranch. 

Teen Excursions are coordinated by two guides who work closely throughout the season, and whose roles also include working as a wrangler and/or fishing guide. The Teen Excursions Wrangler share the same duties as regular wranglers (see below), and they are also responsible for planning and leading a safe, fun, and educational riding experience for 13 - 18 year olds. The teen excursions wrangler has more autonomy than regular wranglers, as they prep for and lead adventurous activities. The teen excursions wrangler typically spends about half the work working with teens (ages 13 - 18) and preparing for trips, and the other half of the week performing regular wrangler duties. 

Wranglers serve as guides to lead guests on safe, fun, and informative rides. The ranch has hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from short, easy beginner rides to technical all-day rides for advanced riders. The A Bar A provides top-notch customer service: wranglers teach guests about natural history as well as ranch history, and educate riders on technique as necessary. The riding program serves riders ages 6 and up, and wranglers work with all age groups. The herd consists of approximately 120 horses and Wranglers must know them all by sight, name, and riding level before the first arrival of guests. Additionally, wranglers provide all aspects of quality horse care to maintain a healthy herd (see 'Responsibilities' below). The wrangler team vision is as follows: wranglers pursue excellence in personal growth, customer service, and horsemanship.

All Wrangler staff work a 6-day work week with an average of 10 hours/day and report to head wrangler or, when the head wrangler is not present, to the assistant head wrangler.

Responsibilities

  • Guide safe, fun, and educational weekly trips for teens ages 13 - 18.

  • Plan and prepare for weekly excursions.

  • Work closely with the teen fishing guide to prepare for and lead excursions. 

  • Lead daily trail rides for guests ages 6 and up, teaching proper horsemanship for the benefit of the horse and rider.

  • Provide safe, fun, and flexible rides for guests, abiding by the limits of the guests, horses, and surroundings.

  • Learn main ranch trails and be well oriented in the "lay of the land". 

  • Work effectively with a team of 10 - 12 wranglers, striving to improve skills all season long.

  • Provide all aspects of horse care including: catching, grooming, tacking/untacking, feeding, veterinary care (as indicated by head wrangler), and ongoing training for ranch horses. 

  • Manage and train 'project horses' as assigned by head wrangler, including ground work and riding on trails. 

  • Maintain facilities related to the corral, including the corral itself, the Wrangler Barn, trails, pastures, and fences.

  • Schedule guests for rides in the dining room with assigned partner, typically once per week. 

  • During times when staff are not needed for regular duties in their departments, they are expected to help in other departments.

Required Qualifications

  • Strong equine and riding background (does not need to be Western): the teen excursions wrangler must be a competent rider and teacher, as excursions can be led into backcountry areas. 

  • Must be able to lift/carry at least 50 pounds

  • Willing and able to work in all weather conditions

Key Traits for Success

  • Leadership

  • Customer-focused mindset

  • Self-motivated

  • Strong work ethic

  • Ability to work well and enjoy a team environment

  • Teaching skills/interest in teaching, especially with teenagers