Student management
Daily maintenance of the Stables is performed by the members of the co-op. Each individual is responsible for contributing to the care of the horses and of the facility. In this way, co-op members develop a sense of ownership for the program and become deeply invested in even the seemingly trivial aspects of its operation. For those members who have not cared for horses in the past, it is an opportunity to learn and practice animal husbandry. To ensure that all co-op members are adequately prepared to participate safely, new members are considered “Assistants” for their first year in the program. During this year, Assistants are required to participate in the Assistant’s course program (AWPE 109 and 209) that provides them with the supervision and resources necessary to become competent co-op members. Co-op members who have successfully completed the Assistant’s course program are referred to as “Instructors” regardless of whether they teach or not.
Management of the facility and its programs is carried out by a group of co-op members referred to as the Barn Staff. Using the principles of consensus, these students work collaboratively to guide co- op discussions and make decisions for the program based on wide consultation with its members. Barn Staff members are selected for one-year terms that follow the calendar year beginning in January.
Student roles
Responsibilities
The privileges of co-op membership are made possible by each member’s own commitment to sharing the responsibilities for care of the facility and horses.
The total weekly time commitment for co-op members is 5 hours plus additional recreational riding. Every member attends a one hour weekly co-op meeting and two work shifts. Work shift commitments may also be fulfilled by serving as a lesson instructor or by taking the required Assistants Course.
Equestrian Team members commit to additional time for practice and team meetings, but must also be members of co-op to remain on the team.
The total weekly time commitment for co-op instructors is 5 hours.
- 1 hour: Co-op meeting. Mondays at 9 p.m.
- 4 hours: Two work shifts. Work shift commitments may also be fulfilled by serving as a lesson instructor.
Assistants commit to an additional two hours of assistant’s course lab time each week. Equestrian Team members commit to additional time for practice and team meetings, but must also be members of co-op to remain on the team.
Daily schedule
| 7-9 a.m. Workshift | Tasks include: feeding hay, feeding grain, filling water buckets, blanketing horses, turning horses out, and mucking school horse stalls. Morning workshifts are usually staffed by two co-op members. |
| Afternoon Lesson Time | A two-hour lesson may be scheduled in the afternoon. |
| 4-6 p.m. Workshift | Tasks include: mucking school horses stalls, turning horses in, filling water buckets, feeding hay, feeding grain, and blanketing. Afternoon work shifts are usually staffed by three co-op members. |
| 9 p.m. – Night Check | Each night, one Barn Staff member is responsible for checking in on the horses between 9 p.m. and midnight to ensure that the horses are healthy and receiving proper care. |
More information and resources
The Office of Residence Life supports and encourages students by providing guidance in contemplative inquiry, opportunities for dialogue, sponsoring celebratory communal events, and supporting opportunities that enable students to put their most cherished beliefs into daily practice.