Internship Program
College Internship Program
The Texas Equine Internship Program is a great stepping stone into the equine industry. The skills acquired help participants experience different aspects of the industry to help narrow down their job search. Interns get real world experience handling horses, interacting with other equine professionals, and the required day-to-day care. In addition to hands-on experience, interns also gain confidence, self-awareness, time management skills, efficiency and problem-solving skills. Click here to apply for our internship!
Here are some common Frequently Ask Questions:
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Is there a time commitment? Yes, interns are required to sign up for a 3 hour work session two days each week. These need to be the same two days for 12 weeks.
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Is there an age requirement? We ask that Interns be over the age of 18 years old. If you are younger than 18 years old, you may reach out to discuss volunteer opportunities.
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Do you provide housing? At this time, we do not provide housing. If you are interested in interning with Texas Equine, you will need to live within a reasonable driving distance from our facility in order to attend the work sessions and lessons.
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Will I be able to ride or work with the horses? Yes! In addition to the two work days each week, you will also set up a weekly 90 minute lesson. Each lesson will include:
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30 minutes of hands on skills practice
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30 minutes of equine exercise instruction (emphasis on ground work with some mounted work for those who meet our horse health policy)
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30 minutes of lecture covering various topics in the industry.
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What does a typical day look like when interning at Texas Equine? While this is a great opportunity to gain experience working with horses, this internship does include physical labor. Interns may be asked to complete the following tasks: feed horses, replenish grain bin, unload grain bags (each bag weigh 50 lbs), clean stalls, clean and fill water troughs or buckets, groom horses, bathe horses, clean tack, apply medication to horses, pick up obstacles from the arena, sweep tack room and feed room, blanket horses and other horse care tasks.
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What should I wear? Dress for the job you want! Please wear pants, a shirt with sleeves and closed toed shoes. Boots are preferred but tennis shoes are acceptable. While shorts and a tank top are cooler, they are not professional for the equine industry.
A word from our past interns...
While getting my Bachelors for Equine Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce, I sought out an internship at Texas Equine. Through working here, I was able to apply educational knowledge from school into hands-on application. In addition, Shelby Williams provided expertise in areas I was unfamiliar with to broaden my understanding. My time here has not only allowed me to work with horses, but also with the people that share a love for these great animals. I used this opportunity to prepare myself for a job after I graduated college and I am grateful for the skills that I have developed. I have since graduated TAMUC in Summer ‘23 and now working in the equine industry!
- Christina
I learned a lot while interning at Texas Equine from learning how to properly clean a horse stall to riding a horse. Shelby is a great mentor. I helped her maintain many aspects of the farm. I learned how to bathe a horse and how to clean her hoofs. She taught me how to tie a proper knot to hold a horse in place and how to lead a horse along with placing its halter on without spooking the horses. I gained lots of knowledge on the food and supplements she feeds her horses and why only some horses get one supplement and three get another. Although there was a lot of physical work involved in my internship it taught me a lot about what it takes to own a horse. You can’t just own a horse and feed it without maintaining other aspects such as hoof trimming or for Shelby's lucky horses getting a chiropractic treatment done. you will benefit greatly interning at Texas Equine horse experience or not Shelby will show you the ropes.
- Victoria
My internship with Texas Equine Education & Horsemanship has been a very fun and an educational experience for me! I have learned what it is like to run a smaller barn and take care of horses with particular needs. I have also learned a lot about feeding & nutritional needs for horses. I was also introduced into a different style of riding. These things I have learned will be applied to my future with horses.
-Megan
Interning at Texas Equine Education and Horsemanship has exposed me to so much knowledge within the horse industry. My first day I was nervous about not having enough experience, but my mentor Shelby Williams guided me every step of the way. She explained step by step processes to me, she allowed me to watch and then had me do it myself hands on, she had set schedules for me weekly with the tasks I needed to complete which allowed me to get a better understanding of what was expected of me. I learned how to properly wrap up horses, how to blanket them, proper grooming techniques, stall and stable management, good feeding plans and rations, proper leading and lunging, and most importantly how to work efficiently yet safely. I would happily redo my internship with Texas Equine Education and Horsemanship because it allowed me to get a better understanding of what I need to look for and work on to better my future. The advice I have for any intern is to ask a lot of questions, get involved, be on time, and respect and be thankful for the opportunities in front of you that will give you a better understanding of your career path. Make sure you are fully comprehending the work you are doing, the knowledge you are gaining, and the connections you are building. Thankfully, I had a great experience interning with Ms.Williams and would not do anything differently. Being able to better educate myself and work with horses weekly only made me realize how much I enjoy working with horses, and how committed I am to pursuing an Equine career.
-Selikka