Internship | Frontier Farm

Internship Program

The Frontier Farm Internship is a hands-on, education-centered program created for individuals with prior horse experience who want a deeper understanding of horsemanship, carriage driving, and responsible horse ownership.

This program goes beyond traditional riding lessons. While riding instruction is widely available, opportunities to learn the full scope of horse care, training, and daily management are far less common. Frontier Farm was designed to fill that gap by offering a comprehensive, immersive learning environment. Interns are actively involved in the daily operations of the farm and the complete development of horses—from foundational groundwork through advanced training.

The program emphasizes carriage driving, supported by broad horsemanship skills and owner education, with a strong focus on safety, preparation, and thoughtful progression.

Educational Philosophy

Annie believes that learning—both for horses and humans—is a continuous process. One of the cornerstones of the program is a layered learning approach, where skills are first observed, then practiced, and eventually reinforced by helping others under supervision. Teaching becomes a way to strengthen understanding and confidence.

Horses are treated as lifelong learners, and training is approached with patience, clarity, and respect. While Annie regularly seeks instruction from professionals with deeper or specialized expertise, she is equally committed to passing knowledge forward. Revisiting fundamentals and refining basics is considered essential to both effective teaching and horsemanship.

The program is grounded in stewardship, responsibility, and respect—for the horse, the work, and the journey itself.

Program Structure

The internship operates as a balanced apprenticeship, blending education with meaningful, real-world farm responsibilities.

Two to Four-hour sessions
One to three days per week
Typical sessions include:
- Farm chores, maintenance, and project work
- Structured instruction, observation, and hands-on training

Interns are evaluated individually based on their experience and confidence level. While prior horse handling skills are preferred, motivated individuals with solid basics and the right mindset may be considered. Every intern begins with foundational skills before earning increased responsibility, independence, and variety in their work.

Skills &

Experience Gained

Safety is always the top priority. Everything we do begins and ends with safe horsemanship.

Interns may learn or review skills including, but not limited to:

Safe handling and awareness around horses
Haltering, leading, tying
Grooming: tools, techniques, bathing, clipping, blanketing, fly gear
Ground manners and respectful handling
In-hand work and foot placement from multiple positions
Advanced in-hand exercises, including obstacles and water
Round pen philosophy, methodology, and exercises
Lunging, double-lunging, long-lining, and ground driving
Training a horse to drive from the ground up (Combined Driving & Driven Dressage focus)
Exposure to roads, trails, and varied environments
Basic equine first aid and when to call the veterinarian
Proper etiquette for vet and farrier visits
Event preparation, grooming, navigation, and eventual competition roles
Stall cleaning and manure management
Fence repair and maintenance
Field maintenance, rotations, and tractor work
Feeding plans tailored to individual horses
Tack cleaning, maintenance, fitting, and assembly

Interns work with multiple horses at different stages of training, building a broad and practical skill set.

Ideal Candidate

This internship is best suited for individuals who:

Are 16 years or older (some exceptions considered)
Have dependable transportation
Have basic horse handling experience (riding level is not the focus)
Are physically capable of farm work (we walk miles, lift, push, pull, and stay active)
Are mature, respectful, and self-motivated

I am not a “kid camp” operation. While I enjoy mentoring, this is a very competitive program and I do not tolerate childish behavior. This is a working farm and a serious educational environment. That said, I have welcomed interns of many ages and backgrounds—from equestrian team members to retired or semi-retired individuals preparing for horse ownership or looking for a volunteer/learning opportunity.

Many interns come to learn what truly goes into owning and managing horses before making that commitment themselves.

Program Goals

Interns who thrive in this program leave with:

Confidence around horses
A clear understanding of responsible horse ownership
A solid foundation in carriage driving
A realistic view of farm life, training, and long-term horsemanship

Above all, they leave with respect for the process and hopefully a love of the journey!