STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

I.  College Student Internships

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INTERNSHIP: 

 

Semester or summer session internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students in their last year of degree program.  Degree programs can include (but not limited to) animal/equine science (horse barn management), exercise science, kinesiology, athletic training, and health education/promotion.  Course requirements, such as projects/presentations during the internship, and number of course credits are to be determined by the student’s faculty or internship advisor and the Whisper Creek Idaho (WCI) internship supervisor as specified by the student’s degree program.

 

All interns will be involved in assisting with daily operations including horse care and facilities maintenance.  Interns will also choose an internship pathway to gain more experience in their area of interest.  Riding lessons and training opportunities will be available to interns as part of the course experience.  All interns will be required to complete a liability release and safety agreement form.

 

Potential interns are asked to submit a resume to their internship advisor first.  The advisor will reach out to the WCI supervisor with potential candidates.  Qualified candidates will be invited to interview at the Whisper Creek boarding and training facility.

 

WCI Internship Supervisor:  

May Calins Slaughter, B.S., B.B.A., M.S. Ed.

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INTERNSHIP PATHWAYS:

 

I. Horse Care and Barn Management Pathway

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A. Goal – Gain experience in horse care, barn management and facilities maintenance of sport horse barn and property, including pasture and arena maintenance and how to care for horse daily living/health care needs

 

B. Objective – Learn the day-to-day care operations, including feeding, nutrition, housing, exercising, etc., of sport horses in a professional barn to achieve optimal horse health

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C. Objective – Learn about the business side of managing a professional horse training and boarding facility, including financials, safety and security, liabilities, and insurance

 

II. Horse and Rider Health/Fitness Promotion Pathway

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 A.  Goal – Promote pathways to encourage and support horse and rider fitness, better health, and safety through educational community outreach programs

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 B.  Objective – Create current and relevant content on horse and rider fitness and safety for educational outreach programs in person, online and/or via social media such as websites, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram

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 C.  Objective – Create current and relevant content on horse and rider fitness and safety for educational outreach programs via promotional literature such as booklets, brochures, and newsletters

 

III. Horse Care and Performance Pathway

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A.  Goal – Gain experience in managing a sport horse barn and effectively/safely training dressage, English riding horses while on the ground and as a rider

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B.  Objective – Learn about daily horse care, including feeding, nutrition, housing, exercising, etc., of sport horses in a professional English riding barn to achieve optimal performance through good horse health

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C.  Objective – Observe and engage in hands-on and in-saddle opportunities to train horses, especially dressage horses through the performance levels

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​II.  Working Dressage Student

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DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

 

1.  Working Dressage Student at WCI is a part-time volunteer position. Students will be exposed to, participate in and may be responsible for a variety of activities pertaining to horse care and handling, facility maintenance, dressage training, English riding instruction and horse/rider fitness training as permitted by and under the guidance and supervision of WCI dressage trainers.

 

2.  Students are required to read, understand and agree to this release agreement. Students under the age of 18 are required to have their parents or guardian also agree and sign this release agreement.

 

3.  When students are planning to separate from the position, they are required to give at least one week notice before the last workday to the dressage trainers.

 

4.  Students are expected to abide by the WCI facility rules, practice good and safe judgement, and act professionally while representing WCI. Students need to dress appropriately for the weather and work activity while at WCI (pants and no revealing clothing items). Proper footwear is important – comfortable shoes usable on a variety of surfaces including soiled areas (waterproof is recommended and no open toe shoes).

 

1. General hours and expectations:

• Minimum of 4-5 hours a week to be scheduled in advance.

• Dressage training/lessons (in-hand/under saddle) with student’s horse or WCI school horse

• Opportunities for additional lessons and training to pursue personal and/or showing goals

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5.  Student Program Coordinator:  May Calins Slaughter

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​III. Farm Volunteer

 

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

 

1. Farm Volunteer at WCI is a part-time volunteer position. Volunteers will gain experience, participate in, and may be responsible for a variety of activities pertaining to horse care and handling and facility maintenance, as permitted by and under the guidance and supervision of WCI dressage trainers.

 

2.  Volunteers are required to read, understand and agree to this release agreement. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have their parents or guardian also agree and sign this release agreement.

 

3.  Volunteers are required to give at least one week notice to the dressage trainers before leaving this position.

 

4.  Volunteers are expected to abide by the WCI facility rules, practice good and safe judgement, and act professionally while representing WCI. Volunteers need to dress appropriately for the weather and work activity while at WCI (pants and no revealing clothing items). Proper footwear is important – comfortable shoes usable on a variety of surfaces including soiled areas (waterproof is recommended and no open toe shoes).

 

5.  General hours: Minimum of 2-3 hours a week

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6.  Volunteer Coordinator:  May Calins Slaughter

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Updated 9/18/2026