Horseback Guide

Horseback guides care for a herd of 100+ saddlehorses and breeding stock, guide horseback rides for ranch guests, and do barnyard and ranch work to support the overall guest and ranch operation.  Horseshoeing and developing horses for guest use is part of the job as well.  This is a great job for someone who appreciates interesting, rugged country and the opportunity to spend many hours in the saddle.  This is NOT an entry-level guiding job.  We have a 250 pound weight limit for all riders ~ guides must not push this limit.  Guides wear western attire consisting of a cowboy hat, tucked in button down or snap shirt, jeans in good repair, and western style cowboy boots (with smooth sole, heel, and no laces).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• During the first few weeks of pre-season opening, work with team to clear trails, which can include strenuous physical work in hot weather and significant amounts of time working on foot leading horse, and horseshoeing (with instruction and mentoring provided)

• Learn ranch trails, pastures and place names for use during morning wrangle, guiding guest rides and ranch work

• Learn saddle horse names and gain familiarity with their traits and personalities

• Work as team to gather horses during the morning wrangle calmly and safely in timely fashion

• Catch saddle horses with assigned bridle and the guest’s assigned saddle, and guide horse, and observe for health or lameness concerns, brush, saddle and check tack in time for ride departures

• Check tack again, adjust cinch and assist guests with mounting (from mounting block) and containing their gear (cameras, water bottles, jackets), provide coaching or brief instruction as appropriate, and maintain control of horse from ground until guest is settled in saddle and ready to assume control ~ request help from co-workers for difficult mounting situations

• Lead and maintain control of guest rides to assigned location at gait appropriate to terrain and instructions; provide guests with instruction as needed and upon request, with particular attention on guests’ first day riding; and contribute to guests’ enjoyment of their riding experience

• Take responsibility for horse and guest safety and any first aid or emergency situation, and use radio communication to ranch office to request support as appropriate

• Monitor and assist with guests’ dismount after ride, unsaddling, brushing and returning horses to corral

• Take responsibility for riding horses assigned to you to the best of your ability and ask questions and seek help developing the horses’ and your own skills

• Work as a team and as assigned on daily barnyard or ranch chores such as barnyard cleaning, feeding, doctoring, tack repair, horseshoeing, trail or fence work etc.

• Observe and report issues with horses, guests or ranch infrastructure (fencing, gates, water, trails, etc.) as soon as possible

• Read and respect information provided in Crew Handbook and Workplace Notes, including:

• Maintain tidiness and cleanliness of work areas, storage areas, tools and supplies

• Keep tools and supplies in WORKING ORDER AND DO NOT LOSE

• Maintain personal tidiness and cleanliness and abide by attire requirements during work and off hours

• Get along with immediate co-workers, and other staff with whom you share living and dining space

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Minimum of three years of professional work and/or relevant western horseback riding experience in livestock agriculture or horse related recreation

• Professional guiding experience strongly preferred

• Horseshoeing training and/or entry level work experience preferred

• Available to work complete guest ranch season, including weekends and holidays

• Willingness to live and work at remote location and get along with co-workers during work time and off-work time