The Intern Program at MMGR is unique in that it is the ONLY program available which specifically teaches the Buck Brannaman/Ray Hunt style of horsemanship in a ranch setting, with real world experience. Interns will have the ability to see the progression of a horse in its learning from colt starting, up to the snaffle bit, hackamore, the two rein to straight up in the bridle. Interns will learn how we re-start horses that are troubled and how we work through individual issues. Interns will ride different horses each day, since each horse provides a different feel for its rider. With over 100 head of horses, there will be much to learn!

Interns can expect to learn to become handy with a rope, flag and a tarp in their groundwork. They will become adept at maximizing their effectiveness in working with a horse on a lead rope, from the fence and in the round pen.

While horseback, the possibilities are dependent on the individual. A strong work ethic and perseverance without frustration is key. You can expect to learn how to ride horses through all transitions, pick up correct leads, leg yield, haunches in, turnarounds, flying lead changes and much, much more. Our ultimate goal is to accomplish our time on the horse using 90% mental effort and 10% physical effort.

Our learning is not limited to “dry” exercises, however. We believe that horse and rider cannot be complete in their horsemanship foundation if neither is able to successfully get around cattle and be handy with a rope. Interns will learn the subtleties of reading cattle, cutting, sorting and driving cattle with class, and roping cattle for the purpose of branding and doctoring. Interns will also learn to doctor cattle while on the ground (i.e. setting ropes, giving injections.)

Call 406-293-5000 or email us at info@mmgranch.net for more specifics on our program, including cost.

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INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

Internship Application

MMGR has internships available for interested students and adults throughout the year. Internships provide successful applicants with hands on experience in all aspects of the Buck Brannaman style of horsemanship, cattle working, roping, large animal care and general ranch duties.

General information on the internship and the application process is found below. Please read this entire document before completing an application.

Internship Information

The Intern Program at MMGR is unique in that it is the ONLY program available which specifically teaches the Buck Brannaman/Ray Hunt style of horsemanship in a ranch setting, with real world experience. Interns will have the ability to see the progression of a horse in its learning from colt starting, up to the snaffle bit, hackamore, the two rein to straight up in the bridle. Interns will learn how we re-start horses that are troubled or spoiled and how we work through individual issues. Interns will ride different horses each day, as each horse provides a different feel for its rider. With 90 head of horses, there will be much to learn!

In addition, we highly encourage interns to bring their own started horse with them at no additional cost for board! This allows you to advance your own horse while advancing your skills at the same time. A double-opportunity!

Our program starts from the ground up as we find that it is necessary to prepare each horse to maximize our effectiveness in spending time with him.

Interns can expect to learn to become handy with a rope, flag and a tarp in their groundwork. They will become adept at maximizing their effectiveness in participating with a horse on a lead rope, from the fence and in the round pen.

While horseback, the possibilities are dependent on the individual. A strong work ethic and perseverance without frustration is key. You can expect to learn how to ride horses through all transitions, pick up correct leads, leg yield, haunches in, turnarounds, flying lead changes and much, much more. Our ultimate goal is to accomplish our time on the horse using 90% mental effort and 10% physical effort.

Our learning is not limited to “dry” exercises, however. We believe that horse and rider cannot be complete in their horsemanship foundation if neither is able to successfully get around cattle and be handy with a rope. Interns will learn the subtleties of reading cattle, cutting, sorting and driving cattle with class, and roping cattle for the purpose of branding and doctoring. Interns will also learn to doctor cattle while on the ground (i.e. setting ropes, giving injections.)

During our non-winter months, interns will also get the opportunity to ride outside in the mountains around the ranch and at our grazing allotments. In this environment, you will learn how to support a horse outside—to learn how to address herd bound issues (and stop them before they begin) as well as how to support a horse in varied terrain with or without other riders around.

Breakdown of All Ranch Activities

  • Buck Brannaman horsemanship from the ground up

  • Cattle work to include sorting, cutting, driving and doctoring

  • Riding outside whilst working on horsemanship

  • Doctoring horses

  • Assisting the farrier in trimming and shoeing horses

  • Fence maintenance

  • General ranch duties to include cleaning stalls, horse traffic areas and barns

  • Feeding of livestock

  • Roping

  • Ranch Management activities

    Our Responsibilities to You

    In the time we have with you in your internship, we will give 100% of our knowledge in order to make you as competent in the Buck Brannaman style as we can in the time you spend with us. We will carry you as far as you wish to go. We will always give you an honest evaluation of your progress and will help you to build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

    We will provide you with all meals and your own private room lodging. We will also provide you with tack including saddle, headstall and chaps if needed. A helmet is also provided if you so wish to use one.

    Your Responsibility to Us

    This is an opportunity that is offered and available to very few. We ask that you treat your time with us as a privilege rather than a right. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally, cordially and with respect when communicating with any MMGR staff and guests. Rude and disrespectful behavior in regards to staff, guests or horses may result in your dismissal from the program.

Interns are encouraged to stay for dinner at 6:00 pm during weeknights and are more than welcome to attend dinner at 6:00 pm on Sunday evenings when our new guests come in each week.

There are no pets allowed during your internship.

Criteria for Participation

  • Must complete and return a Waiver of Liability form (included in packet)

  • If a minor, must have permission of parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) to participate in the

    program

  • Applicants MUST be at least 16 years of age

  • Maximum rider weight limit for internship program is 180 lbs.

  • Some previous horse handling and riding experience is required

  • Interns are required to write summaries once a week during their stay of what they are learning and how they hope to progress, during their stay. These summaries may be used for Facebook and Newsletter postings

  • Applicants must include a short video clip of them riding (2 minutes maximum).

    Application Process

    Internships can vary in their time-frames. Applicants for the Intern program at MMGR will be accepted throughout the year on a rolling application schedule. It is highly recommended that applications are submitted several months in advance due to the increasing demand for spots in the program and the limited number of interns we take at any given time.

    For all internships, there is a three-month minimum. The cost is $4,000 for the first month and $3,000 per month, for each additional month. There is a $2000 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot. The remaining payment is due IN FULL no later than 60 days prior to arrival.  All payments and deposits are non-refundable.

    Interns are highly encouraged to bring their own started horse with them Having the opportunity to work with your own horse will enable you to continue your horse’s education with what you have learned at the MMGR.

    There is no boarding fee to have your horse at the ranch. The only expenses are shoeing, grain, if needed, and any vet or medical costs incurred. Horses will be kept in nice sized outdoor pens. Interns are responsible for feeding and cleaning their horse’s pen twice daily. All horses must be current on shots and coggins per our policy.

Depending on the success of your internship, and whether opportunities are available to you, we may be able to offer you a paying position on our ranch, or an exceptional reference to another. Opportunities for employment, however, are neither guaranteed nor implied.

Application Instructions

No application will be considered complete until five items are received by ranch management:

  • A cover letter

  • A resume listing riding or volunteer experience

  • A copy of the Intern Application

  • A copy of the Release and Waiver of Liability form

  • A video clip of applicant riding

    Cover letter instructions:

    Your cover letter should outline why you would like to intern at MMGR, briefly summarize past related experiences, if applicable, and list any specific areas that are of particular interest to you.

    When all forms have been completed and signed, the documents can either be emailed to info@mmgranch.net or mailed to McGinnis Meadows Ranch, 6220 McGinnis Meadows Road, Libby, MT 59923.

Internship Application

  • McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranch (MMGRanch) Release and Waiver of Liability

    Agreement Scope and Territory and Definitions: This agreement shall be legally binding upon me, the registered RIDER and/or participant, and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor, my heirs, estate, assigns, including all minor children, and personal representatives; and it shall be interpreted according to the laws of the state and county of MMGRanch’s physical location. Any disputes by the RIDER shall be litigated in the venue shall be the county in which MMGRanch is physically located. If any clause, phrase or word is in conflict with state law, then that single part is null and void. The term “HORSE” herein shall refer to all equine species. The term “HORSEBACK RIDING” or “RIDING” herein shall refer to riding or otherwise handling horses from the ground or mounted. The term “RIDER” shall herein refer to a person who rides a horse mounted or otherwise handles or comes near a horse from the ground. The terms “I”, “ME”, “MY” shall herein refer to the above registered rider and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor. Activity Risk Classification: I UNDERSTAND THAT: Horseback riding is classified as RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY, and that there are numerous obvious and non- obvious inherent risks always present in such activity despite all safety precautions including without limitation, the riding, exercising and handling and/or feeding of horses. According to NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems of the United States Consumer Products) horse activities rank approximately 64th among the activities of people relative to injuries that result in a stay at US hospitals. Related injuries can be severe requiring more hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects than injuries in other activities. Nature of Riding Horses: I UNDERSTAND THAT: No horse is a completely safe horse. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger, 20 to 40 times more powerful and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If a rider falls from a horse to ground it will generally be at a distance of from 3 1⁄2 to 5 1⁄2 feet, and the impact may result in injury to the rider. Horseback riding is the only sport where one much smaller, weaker predator animal (human) tries to impose its will on, and become one unit of movement with, another much larger, stronger prey animal with a mind of its own (horse) and each has a limited understanding of the other. If a horse is frightened or provoked it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts which may include but are not limited to: Stopping short; Changing directions or speed at will; Shifting its weight; Bucking, Rearing, Kicking, Biting or Running from danger. Rider Responsibility: I UNDERSTAND THAT: Upon mounting a horse and taking up the reins the RIDER is in primary control of the horse. It is the responsibility of the RIDER to determine that he/she is in physical condition suitable for RIDING, including but not limited to known or unknown disabilities, or medical conditions. The RIDER’S safety largely depends upon his/her ability to carry out simple instructions, and his/her ability to remain balanced aboard the moving animal. Conditions of Nature: I UNDERSTAND THAT: MMGRanch is NOT responsible for total or partial acts, occurrences, or elements of nature that can scare a horse, cause it to fall, or react in some other unsafe way. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: Thunder, lightening, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals, insects which may fly near, bite and/or sting a horse or person; and irregular footing on out-of-door groomed or wild land which is subject to constant change in condition according to weather, temperature, and natural and man-made changes in landscape. Liability Release: I AGREE THAT: In consideration of MMGRanch allowing my participation in this activity, under the terms set for herein, I, the RIDER for myself and on behalf of my child and/or legal ward, heirs, administrators, personal representatives, or assigns, do agree to hold harmless, release and discharge MMGRanch, its owners, agents, employees, officers, directors, representatives, assigns, members, owners of premises and trails, affiliated organizations, and insurers, and others acting on its behalf (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “Associates”,) of and from all claims, demands, causes of action and legal liability, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, due to MMGRanch’s and/or ITS ASSOCIATES ordinary negligence; and I do further agree that except in the event of MMGRanch’s gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, I shall not bring any claims, demands, legal actions and causes of action, against MMGRanch and ITS ASSOCIATES as stated above in this clause, for any economic and non-economic losses due to bodily injury, death, property damage, sustained by me and/or my minor child or legal ward in relation to the premises and operations of MMGRanch, to include while riding, handling, or otherwise being near horses owned by or in the care, custody and the control of MMGRanch, whether on or off the premises of MMGRanch.
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