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Wrangler
Smith Fork Ranch is an upscale guest ranch located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The ranch specializes in fine dining, horseback riding, fly fishing, and excellent service. Smith Fork Ranch is known for a strong horse program. SFR also prides itself on having an extensive wine cellar, luxurious guest accommodations in the rustic style, world class small stream fly fishing, miles upon miles of riding trails, and a very active children’s program. With a capacity of 26-28 guests per week and a staff of approximately 27, SFR employs energetic, hardworking, flexible, and team player staff members who understand the main goal is to give guests a wonderful and memorable vacation. SFR employees are team players that are extremely versatile and open to learning.
Job description:
This is not a job about horses; this is a job about people. First and foremost wranglers at SFR must be people persons who are outgoing, engaging, and who genuinely care about people and their western ranch experience. Secondly wranglers at SFR must be equestrians. Wrangler days are spent tacking, grooming, cleaning stalls, feeding, doctoring, pruning trails, guiding rides, assisting guests, aiding in overall communication between rider and their animal, and setting up and supervising arena activities. Days are long, physically and mentally taxing, and filled with interesting guest and animal experiences.
Responsibilities include:
Gathering, feeding, grooming and saddling horses daily
Guiding guests “Children, Teens, and Adults” though various mountain terrain on trail rides
Caring for sick and injured animals
Teaching basic western horsemanship skills and coaching riders along the trail and in the arena
Maintaining and cleaning tack
Maintaining facilities, corrals, tack shed, boot bin, “mounting platform”, and barn grounds
Clearing and maintaining well groomed trails
Fence maintenance and repair
Flood irrigating pastures
Operating a variety of ranch equipment as needed (i.e. manure spreader, skid steer, gator, ranch truck, etc.)
Taking photos
Contribute to the overall guest ranch experience with participation in weekly events such as staff/guest BBQ, Saturday night cookout, campfires, dances, and other special events
Take part in evening dishwashing “rotation” (among all staff, duty is about twice monthly)
Assisting with any ranch chore or activity as needed or directed such as wood cutting, lawn care, housekeeping, washing vehicles, etc. (Particularly on Sundays)
Giving ranch tours to arriving guests on Sundays
Being a part of the SFR team and contributing your talents, enthusiasm, humor, thoughts, and supporting your fellow team members to provide our guests the best vacation possible
Requirements:
Must be at least 19 years of age
Have at least 2 years experience in western horsemanship skills as well as many years of riding and caring for horses
Previous experience working with horses AND people, such as: ranch work, lesson barns, horse camps, FFA, etc.
Must be able to lift 75 pounds
Must have CPR & First Aid certification
Must have a valid drivers license
Experience riding in backcountry mountain terrain
Must present yourself according to SFR standards and wear proper uniform including hat, long sleeve shirt, jeans, and chaps / chinks when riding
Must present a good western image in dress and behavior
Musical talents a plus
Must have a genuine concern for SFR guests
Maintain the highest level of safety while with guests, horses, staff, and self
Ability to work 6 days a week
Must be available for employment from May 15 – August 30
Compensation:
D.O.E.
