Internship Program:

Suzanne (from the Netherlands) and Firecracker at the Magnolia show Aug. 2005

The internship program allows you to apprentice under a professional horse trainer and certified instructor. The minimum stay is 2 weeks. The maximum time is 6 months. The owners of WildeWood Farm have the right to ask you to leave at any time if you don't abide by the farm rules, by being unprofessional, lying, stealing, doing drugs, being disrespectful or irresponsible.

New: Question and Answer section at the bottom of the page.

See the Intern testimonial's page for past intern's experiences. Testimonials from our internship program

Opportunities:

1. Work with horses in training and learn how to work with various starters and remedial horses.

2. Observe and participate in riding lessons - English

3. Learn and work on the day-to-day maintenance of farm facilities.

4. Learn to care for and feed horses with varying needs.

5. Work with many different breeds and ages of horses.

6. Have access to a large horse book library.

7. Be able to ask questions and work along side a trainer with years of experience in a laid back, family atmosphere.

Lindsey and Hannah riding

Requirements:

1. Must be 16 years old, and have parental consent if under 18.

2. Must have a valid driver's license (if you're from overseas email Hannah).

3. Must provide 2 letters of recommendation from non-family.

4. Must be willing to work hard and be fit to do manual exercises i.e. lots of walking.

5. Must not be an alcoholic or be on mind altering drugs.

6. Must be willing to take advise and to listen to the trainer and owners.

7. Must have proof of health insurance.

Costs:

1. There is no cost for you to attend the program. We do, however, expect you to work on the farm as payment for the opportunity. Much of the work is manual in nature i.e. riding, training horses, feeding, painting, hauling hay, piling and burning brush, fixing fence, etc.

2. Housing is provided. Beds, washer, dryer, and dishes are provided.

3. You will be responsible for your food, transportation, entertainment, and any medical treatment.

Application for the internship Program

Question and Answers:

Do you also have other people that will attend an internship or similar at your farm during my stay? Sometimes. Most of the time, each intern is here alone.

* Will there be camps during the time I will be at WildeWood farm (apart from the day camps)? It depends. We have several during the summer and school breaks.

* Have you already considered what my duties/ "assignment" will be? Working on the farm training horses, feeding horses, painting, watering the arena, watering horses, fixing fence as needed, cleaning stalls/barn, lessons, shows, etc.

* Could you even already give me an example of how a typical week could look like? Off Sunday (except to feed), train horses M-F 8-12 unless we have camp, lessons in the afternoon, shows on Sat. Interns are typically in charge of feeding.

* Do you participate in competitions? We show 2-3 times a month and have an open house once a year in Oct. I don't personally show very much - we usually take 12-18 kids each show

* How is the weather in Georgia in summer time? VERY hot and dry (easily high 90's low 100's F in the day (mid 30 C). We get our first frost the end of Oct. Winter is cold (20's F at night and high 30's (6 C) during the day) and rainy.

* How many horses do you own and how many do you train in average (and how many do you use as school horses)? 20 school horses, 10 growing babies - various ages, 5-8 training horses (averages about 40 here).

* Did I understand it right that people can also bring their own horses for "clinics"? How often do you offer this kind of training and how many riders and horses participate in average? We have 2 clinics this summer (you're welcome to participate), max of 6 participants.

* Could you tell me more about the stable buildings? 8 stalls, although most of my horses live outside. Large tack room, hay/feed, and mechanical shop

* And also: Where will I stay? We have an 1840's farm house that we converted into a bunk house - for interns, camp, and my sister Lisa lives there full time. The house is fully furnished - stove, washer/dryer, microwave, fridge, and TV/DVD player. If you don't have a car, then we'll take you to town once a week for groceries and stuff like that.

* Dress requirements: Jeans/breeches, helmet, and boots for the morning's training sessions, then something cool for the afternoon. Please no smutty tops or very short shorts. You get very dirty working on the farm, so bring clothes that can stand wear and tear. Work boots and riding boots are a must. Sandals/sneakers can be worn in the afternoon/weekends.