Dana Hall School Riding Center Student Internship Program

The goal of the student internship program is to give students the opportunity to have hands-on horse management training that will give them skills which can be used in the barn and in the future. Each day, interns will be given activities that are involved with the daily operations of an equine facility. This may include assisting barn staff with equine health care, grooming school horses (clipping, pulling the mane, trimming whiskers, etc.), afternoon hay and feed, barn maintenance, as well as possible opportunities to assist with the veterinarian, farrier, dentist and massage therapist.  Interns will also help new students and beginner riders learn to tack up, untack, and groom their horses properly. These activities will be taught and explained first before an intern will be expected to do them independently.      

Each month, interns will put together a schedule of work days with a minimum of thirty hours per trimester in total.  Additional hours will be rewarded with extra lessons as approved by Lauren Blacker.  The program provides a flexible schedule with work days available Monday through Sunday. At the beginning of each week, interns may sign up for their lesson. With approval from riding faculty, students have the option to use ONE lesson a week towards their P.E. Credit. Please see This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more information on this option.    

To apply for this program, each student must write a one page summary explaining what they hope to gain from this experience, what they hope to learn and achieve from this program, as well as activities in the barn that are of most interest. Four students will be selected for each trimester. All students who apply will also be asked to come in for an interview.   

For more information please contact Lauren Blacker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .