What is the Working Student Program?
This is a program specifically for our students who wish to exchange barn work for additional lessons and equine opportunities. This program is meant to be done on a consistent weekly schedule where the student completes two "chore shifts" each week in exchange for being enrolled in an additional Permanent Lesson Spot (typically a one-hour semi-private spot, but some half-hour private spots may be available as an alternative option).
Please Note: The Working Student Program is for students who are ALREADY ENROLLED in a paid Permanent Lesson Spot and are wanting additional learning opportunities without the additional cost. The Working Student Program cannot be used to replace the cost of one's initial lesson spot, and this program is not available to "Floater" students who are not on the Permanent schedule.
Due to the huge help that working students are in keeping the barn operating smoothly, working students have the benefit of being able to sign up first (before any non-working students) for any events or opportunities that Coach Maddie offers to the barn as a whole, including trail rides, clinics, off-property riding opportunities, and horse shows.
Please Note: The Working Student Program is for students who are ALREADY ENROLLED in a paid Permanent Lesson Spot and are wanting additional learning opportunities without the additional cost. The Working Student Program cannot be used to replace the cost of one's initial lesson spot, and this program is not available to "Floater" students who are not on the Permanent schedule.
Due to the huge help that working students are in keeping the barn operating smoothly, working students have the benefit of being able to sign up first (before any non-working students) for any events or opportunities that Coach Maddie offers to the barn as a whole, including trail rides, clinics, off-property riding opportunities, and horse shows.
What is included in a "chore shift"? How long does it take?
A basic "chore shift" for a working student requires the student to 'reset' three of the stalls in the barn. This includes mucking the stall, adding bedding (as needed), refilling the hay bags, scrubbing out/refilling the water buckets, and sweeping up in front of those three stalls. On average, these chores take a working student about two hours to complete in each shift. A standard Working Student must complete two chore shifts each week (on separate days) to cover the cost of their additional lesson spot.
There may be some occasions where a working student will be asked to complete alternate chores during their chore shift instead of the standard three stalls (this can happen on days where all of the stalls have already been cared for, or if Coach Maddie deems a different set of tasks in the barn to have a higher priority of needing to be done). Any time a working student is asked to do any alternate chores, it is expected to take about the same amount of time and effort as the more basic chore shift would.
Please note that during chore shifts, we are not watching the clock to see if the chores actually take two hours. We are looking to see that the work is completed, and at a level of care and consideration that meets Coach Maddie's standards. Initially, it is expected that new working students may need guidance and/or adjustment time to learn what standard of 'clean and correct' Coach Maddie is looking for, and to achieve that. If a working student is consistently not completing their chores to an acceptable level (and if the student has already received multiple reminders and guidance on how to correct these issues), then they may be excused from the working student program.
There may be some occasions where a working student will be asked to complete alternate chores during their chore shift instead of the standard three stalls (this can happen on days where all of the stalls have already been cared for, or if Coach Maddie deems a different set of tasks in the barn to have a higher priority of needing to be done). Any time a working student is asked to do any alternate chores, it is expected to take about the same amount of time and effort as the more basic chore shift would.
Please note that during chore shifts, we are not watching the clock to see if the chores actually take two hours. We are looking to see that the work is completed, and at a level of care and consideration that meets Coach Maddie's standards. Initially, it is expected that new working students may need guidance and/or adjustment time to learn what standard of 'clean and correct' Coach Maddie is looking for, and to achieve that. If a working student is consistently not completing their chores to an acceptable level (and if the student has already received multiple reminders and guidance on how to correct these issues), then they may be excused from the working student program.
Who can sign up for the Working Student Program?
The criteria required to sign up for the Working Student Program is:
- Student must already be enrolled in a paid Permanent Lesson Spot as a Regular Rider (age 7 & up only)
- Student must be at 'Novice' level or above (some exceptions apply) and able to safely and independently work around horses
- Student must be able to commit to two permanent "chore shifts" each week, rain or shine!
- Student must be physically capable of completing the tasks in a chore shift without assistance from others (though guidance on how to safely adapt tasks/techniques is always available to those who ask for it) in a safe and reasonable manner
- Student must be able to communicate clearly and in a timely manner to Coach Maddie about any issues in performing or completing barn chores, any inability to manage the handling or care of the animals, any damage, breakage, or missing equipment, or any injuries that occur to any working student and/or animal during a chore shift
- Student must be kind, courteous, and respectful to other working students, parents, lesson students, and/or visitors in the barn at all times
- Student must be able to communicate to Coach Maddie any unkindness or bullying being displayed or spoken by any working student directed at any other student/person/animal present in the barn or barn events, including that which is displayed or sent digitally (text messages, IM, etc.)
What if I want to work extra chore shifts?
Working students are permitted to sign up for extra chore shifts in order to collect extra credits to apply towards other activities/events (such as extra One-Time lessons, Practice Rides, upcoming Summer Camp sessions, or miscellaneous opportunities offered by Coach Maddie). You can simply text/email Coach Maddie asking for additional chore shifts (even if temporary, such as for a day where a student does not have work/school and wants to come to the barn to help). Credits are not guaranteed to students who just show up at the barn on an extra day without pre-planning and confirming it with Coach Maddie.
Each chore shift a student completes is worth one credit (equal to $25). Any credits earned by a working student can be held and used at any time in the future as long as that student is still signed up in the permanent lesson schedule (credits expire if the student leaves the permanent lesson program, credits cannot be applied to a student's original paid permanent lesson spot, and credits cannot be exchanged for a cash payout of any kind).
Each chore shift a student completes is worth one credit (equal to $25). Any credits earned by a working student can be held and used at any time in the future as long as that student is still signed up in the permanent lesson schedule (credits expire if the student leaves the permanent lesson program, credits cannot be applied to a student's original paid permanent lesson spot, and credits cannot be exchanged for a cash payout of any kind).
Interested in joining our Working Student Program?
Fill out our Working Student Agreement and talk to Coach Maddie!
working_student_agreement.pdf | |
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