Across all divisions, students will be expected to participate and assist in all day to day farm operations. The daily operations of a large sport horse facility are an exemplary opportunity for students to learn new techniques and protocols to maximize efficiency.
Daily tasks students are expected to engage in includes but is not limited to, grooming, basic horse care, stall cleaning, watering, feeding and assisting with farrier. In addition to these tasks students are given the chance to attend weekly skills labs, industry exploration days, volunteering and supplemental learning opportunities.
On Call Schedule- any intern living in on site housing will be expected to participate in the On- Call schedule which includes only being within a 10 minute radius of the farm on assigned days to be ready to assist in any after hours treatments, veterinary emergency or foalings. The schedule can be adapted as needed.
Short Term- 3 month
Prospective students may request which division that would best benefit their vocational and/or educational needs – Reproduction Center, Young Horse Development Center, Rehabilitation and Fitness Center. Student placement will depend upon season and availability within their desired department (e.g. breeding and foaling is seasonal from February to July). This program option will include goal setting and monitoring, off campus experiences (depending on division), and hands-on work experience.
Short Term- 6 month
Students will be focused on 1 to 2 divisions, however learning opportunities across the farm are available and they will be able to experience all facets and divisions of the farm. This program option will include goal setting and monitoring, off campus experiences, lunch and learn meetings with staff, and hands-on work experience.
Long Term- 9 month
Students selected for this option will rotate through each division. This program option will include goal setting and monitoring, off campus experiences, lunch and learn meetings with staff, and hands-on work experience. Students will have the opportunity to participate in research projects currently being conducted at Spy Coast Farm.
Internship Divisions
Reproduction Center
Students will work during the breeding season and assist management with breeding mares, collecting stallions, preventative medicine, emergencies, and neonatal care. Students with interest will be encouraged to rotate thru our Stallion Station to become familiar with semen collection and processing. Students in this division have the added benefit of also getting to work in our CEM Quarantine Center to learn policies and procedures. Students will be rotated thru assisting in morning vet work at Burleson Farm to experience the difference between a sport horse production farm and a thoroughbred production farm.
Please note: students in this division living in onsite housing are expected to attend foalings.
Young Horse Development Center
Students will work closely with management and trainers to understand the process of starting a young horse. Interns in the Young Horse Development Center (YHDC) gain real-world, hands-on experience working with elite sport horses in the early stages of their careers. This structured program covers essential daily skills including grooming, wrapping, feeding, tacking, and stall care, as well as exposure to medical procedures, training tools, course setting, and show preparation. Some training techniques students will get to observe are lunging, long lining, and the jump chute. Interns work closely with experienced staff to develop confidence and competence in managing young performance horses in a professional training environment. Depending on the time of the year, interns may also attend shows in Lexington and possibly in other locations such as Tryon, NC.
**Please note that this IS NOT a riding internship.**
Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center
Spy Coast Farm’s Rehab and Fitness Center is a client-based facility overseen by resident veterinarians and staff. The facility includes water treadmills, dry treadmill, a cold saltwater leg spa, whole body vibration therapy, regenerative lasers, PEMF, Shockwave and other state of the art rehabilitation equipment. Interns will work closely with staff and have some opportunity to work with resident and referring veterinarians to learn about the various treatment modalities and their applied uses for equine rehabilitation and fitness.