Eagle View Ranch - Horse Packer

SOAR's Eagle View Ranch is looking for an experienced Horse Packer for the summer 2025 season! The program is designed to work with youth with ADHD and other learning differences.

Wranglers and Packers at SOAR are in charge of the horseback riding program at camp. All groups participate in one day of horse school and one day of trail riding with our Basecamp Wranglers. Packers take our horsepacking-specific groups (up to 8 campers plus 2 field staff) into the backcountry for a 3-day, 2-night camping trip.

Risk management is incredibly important, and Wranglers should be able to recognize and respond quickly to unsafe situations while riding.

Youth with ADHD and/or other learning differences are very intelligent and creative, but also struggle with issues like impulsivity, disorganization, inattention, poor social skills, and difficulty with some motor skills. 

Wranglers should be able to demonstrate patience and adaptability while also upholding expectations.

Responsibilities:

1. Transport horses on gravel roads with switchbacks from Basecamp to Trailheads with 28’ stock trailer
2. Lead a string of up to 11 stock
3. Pack in camp with one other packer day prior to campers arriving (sawbuck saddles/panniers)
4. Matching campers with proper horses
5. Use clear and direct communication with campers during instruction and riding
6. Care of horses in the backcountry (picketing bell mare, ensure access to feed/water)
7. Engaging with campers throughout the trip through primitive skills, day rides, 
8. Assist with daily care of horses (feeding, watering, rotating, health checking) when not in the backcountry
9. Ensure safety of campers and horses through appropriate Risk Management
10. Participation in parts of camp staff training (behavior management, SOAR policies)
11. Documenting all pack trips in the National Forest at end of each trip
12. Maintaining clean and organized corrals/paddocks/tack room
13. Upkeep and maintenance of all tack and gear
14. Teaching Advanced riding skills when suitable
15. Put up hay (square bales) for the next summer
16. General maintenance projects
17. Help with airport runs and kid wrangling on arrival/departure days
18. Help facilitate the end-of-session Cowboy Contest
19. Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

1. Minimum age 21
2. Extensive experience with Western Horseback Riding
3. Minimum 1 year experience with guiding backcountry trips or packing mule trains
4. Clear background check
5. Wilderness First Aid certification (we offer course during staff training)
6. Some rodeo experience (preferred)
7. Experience working with youth (preferred)

SOAR is a private, non-profit outdoor adventure program for youth with Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. Our students range in age from 11-18 and are all diagnosed with LD and/or ADHD. Most are high functioning, very intelligent, and struggle with issues such as impulsivity, disorganization, inattention, poor social skills, etc. Some student may occasionally come with additional diagnoses such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or Aspergers/High Functioning Autism.