Trail Guide

Lawton Stables inside Sea Pines is looking for a seasonal trail guide to join our operation for Summer of 2024! We are a unique horseback riding facility offering 1-hour guided Western trail rides through a local Forest Preserve for adults and children 8+ years old, pony rides for children 7 or younger, carriage rides, a small animal farm, and a gift store. We are open 6 days a week, offering 3 rides per day in the winter, 4 rides in the spring and fall, and 5 rides a day in the summer.

Trail Guides are a vital part of our organization. Trail Guides are responsible for the friendliness, safety and competency our visitors experience, as well as the safety, care and public display of our horses, animals and grounds. Duties include operating Lawton Stables’ trail rides, pony rides, animal farm, maintenance, cleanliness, and care of the animals, including regular vet and farrier coordination, and regular farm duties. As Lawton operates on a resort facility, trail guides are required to work throughout the busy periods, including summer and holiday periods. The safety and consideration of our guests is paramount, along with the safety and consideration of our employees, as well as for the animals under our care.

Requirements for our trail guides are as follows:

• 18 years old or older
• Experienced rider with extensive riding experience
• Fit and agile to mount and dismount with ease and without blocks/steps
• Capable of riding up to five hours a day
• Excellent customer service; friendly and personable
• Enjoys working with children
• Able to maintain professionalism during pre-ride preparation and instructions and during all interactions with customers
• Able to assist guests while mounting and dismounting
• Capable of thinking, acting and reacting quickly and maintaining a helpful attitude during demanding and sometimes stressful situations
• Proficiency in grooming, tacking, untacking, cleaning, feeding and watering
• Able to lift 25-40 lb. saddles on and off horses
• Able to lift and/or carry up to 50 lb. hay bales and grain bags
• Enjoys working around a farm with regular farm duties (repairing fences, regular maintenance duties, cleaning pastures, barn, keeping water clean, etc.)
• Able to maintain good working relations with coworkers
• Housing may be available for the right candidate