Wembley College: Intern

Wembley College is a leading, English Medium, co-educational, independent school situated on a beautiful campus amongst the rolling hills of Greytown in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. An hour from Pietermaritzburg and an hour from Ballito makes for an ideal ‘country school’ within easy striking distance of a Central Business District and the warm KwaZulu Natal coast. Founded in 1997, the school enters candidates for the Cambridge Examinations that are set externally and recognised world-wide. The following position has become available for a Intern for our Equestrian Center, based in Greytown. The purpose of this role will be to assist the equestrian manger with the daily running of the yard and with hands on care to the WEA Equines, WEA riders and WEA grounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES

You are responsible and accountable for the following:

Aspects of Handling Horses and Ponies at Wembley Equestrian Academy:

• Daily handling of horses and ponies on Academy premises – making use of the ACADEMY’S DESIRED/PRESCRIBED methods to execute and complete tasks allocated by the Academy Manager to the Employee.
• Handling of all horses as required by The Academy, ACCORDING TO THE ACADEMY’S METHODS, STANDARDS AND PRINCIPES of horsemanship.
• Grooming of all horses falling under The Academy’s jurisdiction as requested and required by the Academy INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO brushing of body, neck and face, picking up- and cleaning of all four hooves (front and hind feet) maintenance of manes and tails (as required, and meeting Academy standards), cooling down and hosing of horses after their work sessions, meeting Academy standards. Washing/bathing, show turn-out including pulling, plaiting and trimming horses as the need arises on occasion.
• Regularly monitoring The Academy horses’ general- and overall wellbeing INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY injuries, cuts, swellings, growths, lameness or discharge noticed/observed whilst handling/working- or coming into contact with whilst on company grounds, AND REPORTING IT TO THE ACADEMY MANAGER IMMEDIATLEY.
• Reporting on any loose or lost shoes of shod horses, and any chips, cracks or damages to unshod horses’ feet whilst handling/working- or coming into contact with whilst on Academy grounds.
• Ensure that ANY horses you are handling/working- or coming into contact with whilst on Academy grounds has access to ample clean water to drink.
• Ensure EVERY safety precaution is taken to facilitate the safety of any horse, handler, rider, bystanders and any other horses in the immediate surrounding vicinity at all times, whilst handling/working- or coming into contact with, whilst on Academy grounds.

Tack and Equipment:

• Responsibly handling, using & packing away of ANY & All horse tack belonging to or being utilized by WEA.
• Maintenance (cleaning and oiling as and when required) of saddles, girths, surcingles, bridles, brushing boots, lunging equipment, numnahs, grooming kits ect.
• Maintenance (cleaning and safeguarding of implements ie. Brush cutters, wheelbarrows, forks, spades, hoes and brooms.)
• Report any damages and/or problems on above mentioned to the Academy Manager immediately.

Stable yard and Surrounds:

• Checking on paddock fences (electrical and wooden) situated at and around your section division, of horses whilst handling/working- or coming into contact with them, on Academy grounds and reporting any concerns, damages or potential problems regarding such immediately to the Academy Manager.
• Report any damages to stables, deterioration or damages to surrounding structures ie lungering, as well as watercrib- hosepipe-, waterpipe and tap leaks to the Academy Manager immediately.
• Keeping stable yard and surrounding areas clean, tidy and presentable at all times. This includes, but is not limited to paddocks, lawns and flowerbeds situated in proximity to your section division.

Duties:

• Feeding of concentrates and roughage to horses on Academy premises, as determined by The Academy, on a daily basis.
• Leading horses to- and from stables and paddocks respectively, as required by The Academy on a daily basis.
• Lunging of horses as per WEA’s requirements.
• Schooling of horses as per WEA’s requirements
• Giving riding tuition to WEA riders as per WEA’s requirements.
• Show turn out and show assistance as per WEA requirements
• Weekend duties as per protocol, and/or determined by the Academy Manager.

Miscellaneous:

• Being timeous at your specific division station of employment agreed upon pertaining to your hours of work between yourself and The Academy.
• Protective clothing in terms of hardhats, brushcutting bibs and protective eye gear (visors) are provided and available to you in hours of work by The Academy. Failure to utilize these items for the benefit of your own safety will then be at your own risk.
• On occasion, you might be required to assist the Academy Manager with regards to holding horses if needed with medical treatments/farrier/vet/physio/inspector visits to and for horses on Academy premises.
• On occasion, you might be required to assist in other section divisions of Wembley College for short periods of time should such a need/situation arise, for whatever reason.
• Ensure you always appear neat, displaying courteous and respectful behavior to your co-workers, superiors as well as clients, riders and visitors at The Academy or when representing the Academy at an away-venue, because you are an Employee of The Academy. As such you are expected to behave within the guidelines of The Academy’s image.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Qualification in Equine Science field or working towards it OR EQASA qualifications or working towards getting them
• Be able to speak English or Afrikaans
• 2-3 years experience in an Equine related set up
• Drivers License will be beneficial