How did you make a meaningful contribution to your workplace?
I think just for the main part I helped get things done faster. This just brings to mind the saying, 'Many hands make light work.' And in this situation I think that's what happened a lot. I would groom a horse and or turn one out as someone else was doing the same thing, or the same with blanketing. And the whole thing was that it just made things go faster.
How was your work as an intern meaningful to your education?
The main way it was helpful to me is in that, I got experience in a workplace. Somewhere that wasn't school oriented and with a lot of kids and being in a classroom all day. This was actually going to a place and doing work all day. Some days there would be more work then others, but I would still need to show up. And if I was sick or something came up, then I still need to inform them ahead of time so that they would know and be able to plan around that. Also that I got to follow most of the people around here at the ranch and figure out what they were doing. After a few days I could actually help people on the ranch instead of just following them around looking like, 'I don't know what I can do.'
After I learned most of the horses names and where their stalls were I could much more easily help everyone when they told me to go get a specific horse. Before I was just like, 'Uh, that's the stall at the top right? With the horse that's kind of grayish? Right? Maybe...?'
How did your project go from an idea or inspiration to a final product?
My mentor has been wanting to get a few more boarders for her ranch since the economy has been slowly falling and getting worse. Other boarders she used to have there either sold their horse(s) or took them home to try and find a place to keep them because it's hard to keep a steady job and pay for a horse. There still are a few boarders there, but she would really like a few more, and maybe even a few more people to come and take lessons there.
She came up with the idea that I could market for her a little bit by creating a one page website that explains about her ranch and why it is such a unique place to be at. After the initial idea came up we later thought up the idea of interviewing the people who live on the site and the boarders and volunteers to get their ideas on the place and why they think it's unique and inviting.
What new appreciations did you develop while working as an intern? Why?
I would say I admire everyone's perseverance on the ranch mostly. Every morning they get up and feed the horses, un-blanket them, and sometimes turn them out, and then just a few hours later they come back to muck, check if the blanket needs to go back on or stay off, and turn new horses out. It's tons of work, especially on the days when their dressage trainer is in because then we have to prepare the horses so he can ride them. Mostly though I think it's amazing how everyone at the ranch here can get up and do the same things every day of the week, over and over.
What qualities or characteristics did you see in the people around you that you want to develop in yourself? Why?
I think it is awesome that Stephanie has her own ranch, populated with beautiful horses and other animals. She demonstrates so much compassion and care for not only her animals but all the other owners animals as well. She is an extremely talented and accomplished designer and I think it's great that she can do something she loves and have that support her ranch.
Ryan, the dressage trainer is someone I admire. He's punctual and expects and appreciates others punctuality. He likes things tidy on the ranch so whenever he sees something that needs to be done he will either do it himself or point it out to someone. He gets things done and usually it's pretty prompt as well.
Audrey is the woman who rescues horses, her website is savinghorsesinc.com. I really love how dedicated she is to her work. She loves saving horses and always has the best in mind for the horses. It's surprising how many horses are mistreated and/or trained poorly so that people don't know how to take care of them and they end up on the feedlot. At that point Audrey does her best to rescue as many as she can, because if not, then they get sold to be killed for their meat.
How did your view of life beyond high school change or develop during your time as an intern?
Well, I talked to a lot of people on the ranch about their traveling, because that's what I'm really interested in right now, and it sort of just reinforced my ideas already. That I would like to travel before I go to college, and then most likely through college as well. I'm probably going to take a year or so off and just visit places. One of the main things I think is really important that Audrey and Gail touched on is that, here,in the U.S. , there is a belief that we have the best of everything, and a little bit of the, 'we're on top' feeling. So after a while it's kind of like a tunnel because here we're only seeing our perspective, but as we travel there are so many different things to learn, and new ways to approach things that it's like, you get pushed out of that tunnel vision.
So I definitely want to travel, and learn as much as I can from other places.
How might internship influence the direction of your life?
Well, I've always loved horses. I love all animals in general and will always have an animal at every point in my life most likely, that's just something I love, always having an animal companion. Through this internship I wasn't really doing it because this is what I want to do for my whole life and I want to prepare for it, it was more coming from the area of, I really love horses and would like a chance to be with them. I will love some time in the future, probably way down later in my life, to get a few rescue horses and spend time training them and taking care of them, but I don't think that I just want to jump into owning horses because it is a lot of work.
The questions I asked in the interviews:
How did you find out about HOTS?
How long have you been at HOTS?
Why stay at HOTS?
Have you ever been at any other stables/ranches before coming here?
Do you consider HOTS to be more clean or organized compared to other ranches you've
been to?
How many trails are there here?
What do you like best about the trails?
Are they gaged from easy - advanced? or more advanced?
What are the people here like? Different personalities.
What are the different seasons like here? Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.
Do you do different activities/programs during the different seasons?
Do the normal lessons and activities continue through all season? Through rain, snow, mud, heat.
Have you worked with the Team Esteem program?
What do you think about the Team Esteem program?
Is the training here beginner-advanced friendly?
How many trainers are here?
What types of training do you provide?
What do YOU think makes HOTS different from other ranches?
Do you feel that HOTS is a safe environment? Not just around the horses, but with the people who work here as well.
Do you feel that the horses are given the best care possible when they are here?
Do you feel this is a child-adult friendly place? Or is it geared more towards one then the other?
The interviews from different people:
Wanda, Ryan and Client interview
1- Ryan 2- Client 3- Wanda
Word of mouth
Saw sign, website
Word of mouth, someone who already worked here
1-3. Been here between 5 months – 3 years
Feels like home, people here are friendly, horses are amazing, the atmosphere, they all bring a difference to the table, very loving
Warm, everybody can benefit, no one is too 'odd', people here want you to succeed
Relaxed, accepting, (Not like the 'dressage world'(snotty))
Way cleaner then other ranches/stables, no comparison, the owner is an interior designer so the layout is amazing
Care has been taken for even the little things around the place
Not very 'commercial', more homey feeling, non industrial, not so fast paced
Unbelievable trails, bodies of water, different trees, rock sculptures
Very green around here, natural water not man made, it's all very real, brooks
most fun, chest deep water on the horses
Easier to advanced riding, all ages welcome, there has been an indoor arena there for approx. 3 years
1-3. More authentic, kind of low key, LOVE of the horse is what brings people together there, peaceful environment, non explosive, passionate and relaxed
Jan-Feb can get snow, Spring- beautiful, very green, bright healthy colours, Fall- very orange, changing of the seasons actually happens here!
1-3. Don't stop training/lessons throughout the seasons
Team Esteem curriculum modified to fit a group, THERAPUDIC horses, wash away the bad feelings and show you there is still good in the world.
VERY well taken care of horses, “Horses are your partners here.”
Interview with Gael
1/21/10
Been a boarder for 13 years approx. (Since when it was Pine Valley Stables)
Covered corrals, covered barns, lots and lots of turnouts, the people are great and extremely helpful, the people in charge are very grounded and know what they're doing, trails are beautiful, the atmosphere overall is just really good
Very clean and organized, the layout is well planned out
The people here are open minded and willing to try new things, they aren't just set in one way
The outback trails- obstacles, wonderful, secret canyon(drop off ledge), Out front- Beautiful, noble canyon(Windy road to get there though)
The clients are amazing, they're all great
There actually are seasons here, but there is always a turnout to use, and place to lunge your horse, always
Team Esteem(and working with the horses) gives children(teenagers) a destination, confidence and teaches them about horses in a very safe environment
fen shui oriented, layout is very pleasing to the eye, there are a lot of pastures to let your horse graze in, the grounds are very well kept, the bathrooms as well, and the covered arena
They are focused on safety and awareness of what is going on around you there
Very child friendly, Team Esteem, Phoenix House, education, it's all great
People go above and beyond to take care of the horses, feeding is always on schedule, your horse is always well taken care of
Mike Interview
1/08/10
Tear Jerking, all around rewarding experience
back and front trail entrances, 100 or so trails leading to Mexico and Canada and so forth. easy-advanced trails, you can walk through water on them
Versatility, have a good time, very relaxed there, no-stress
Very safety oriented
1 trainer for dressage
More very tame horses
A lot of rescue animals
4 or so regular volunteers
Very beginner friendly
Stephanie added on:
Social/Trail rides
Funding and donations needed
Semi-Private
Maintained grounds
Statues around
In ads –Friendly faces, nice facility, non rude behavior, respectful
Not over bearing, very accessible, thoughtfully planned out
End product: A one page informative inviting piece that is based on the key of simplicity and yet still effectively markets their ranch and ideas.
Welcome to Horse of the Sun, a haven for horses and people.
Merely 15 minutes East of Alpine, 40 minutes East of San Diego and an easy one mile drive North off of the 8 exit, we are nestled among the trees and streams of Pine Valley California.
Situated on 36 acres of land we have 11 turnouts and two arenas, one covered and the other open. We provide dressage lessons and boarding.
Our trails are unrivaled in that they are enjoyable for both the beginner and the master riders. Just out our back gate you can ride under the Pine Valley bridge, then onward all the way to Lake Morena reservoir and beyond. Or, if you prefer, out our front gate is a brief 20 minute ride to the Noble Canyon trail head where you can access the Cuyamacas and some of the most beautiful trails in East County. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to trail riding at Horse of the Sun! Also, there are plenty of creeks around, and centuries old California live oak trees.
“There are actually seasons here.” Mike, volunteer.
January through February there is a high possibility for snow and rain. Spring has been described as beautiful, very green with bright, vibrant and very healthy looking colors. Autumn is very orange as falling leaves decorate the ground. No matter what the weather condition may be there is always a turnout to use and a place to lunge your horse.
When you arrive here you are drawn in by the feeling of welcome and being at home. The environment is very safe, the horses are lovingly cared for and everyone here is passionate about what they do.
“Here, the horses are your partners.” Ryan Hopkins, dressage trainer.
Placed in a learning, fun, safe and friendly environment you can have dressage lessons without all of the hustle and bustle of city life. There are no freeways close enough where you can hear the rushing and honking of every car as they go by and no close by apartments with tenants blasting music constantly.
“Here it is very child friendly, there is a definite focus on safety and awareness of what is going on around you.” Gael, boarder.
Here we like to maintain a low key, no-stress, relaxing, and authentic place where we can share our interest of horses. Love of the horses is what brings us together here, and what keeps things going.
“People here want you to succeed”. client
Emphasis is placed upon communication in both human to human interaction and human to animal relations. We believe that everything matters, and will meet the needs of both horse and human here, whether you are looking to board your horse or take lessons in riding, or all of the above, we make sure everything you need is taken care of.
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