The Maryland Horse Council (MHC) is pleased to offer a new internship program for students interested in broadening their equine experiences and making a tangible impact on the welfare of all horses in the State of Maryland.  Internships are available in the fall, spring, and summer, and are open to rising high school seniors and college students. Interns select from one of three tracks to gain practical experience in topics of interest, have flexible schedule options, and can earn college credit, all while participating in a one-of-a-kind industry-based initiative that will be a national model for equine transition and welfare.

To learn more about METS, visit http://mdequinetranistion.org.

Download the MHC/METS Internship Program flyer

Download the MHC/METS Internship Application

If you have any questions about the internship, please contact Jennifer Purcell at jennifer@mdhorsecouncil.org.

Internship Details

Fall or Spring:           
14 weeks [10 hours/week]
For credit and non-credit options available
Unpaid

Summer:                   
8 weeks [30 hours /week] – no credit
$800 stipend

Location:                   
The MHC / METS offices are located in Lisbon, Maryland.  Fall/Spring interns will spend half day a week at the office and half day in the field. The remaining hours can be fulfilled remotely. Summer interns are expected to spend two days each week at the office and two days in the field.  Interns must have transportation to and from the office, but can carpool with staff/volunteers to field-based assignments.

Tracks:                      
Public Education
Program Management
Advocacy (spring only)

Requirements:          
Enrolled in high school (rising senior) or college*
At least 17 years of age when internship begins**
Horse handling experience
Desire to promote the horse industry
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Access to transportation
Interest in one of three tracks

* Students in an equine-related program will be given priority

**Applicants under 18 require a parent’s signature

Benefits:                    
Earn college credit where available
$800 stipend for summer session
METS T-shirt
Free 1-year youth or individual membership in the MHC
3 tracks to choose from
Mentoring by equine and management professionals
Network with MHC leadership
On-site and telecommuting options
Decrease the chance of MD horses becoming at-risk

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of interns include, but are not limited to:

1. Assisting with general health and behavioral assessments of horses
2. Maintaining accurate records on horses, placement opportunities, and follow up
3. Creating ads/descriptions to market horses in print and online
4. Researching and creating materials related to equine care, welfare, or advocacy
5. Assisting with outreach or program planning tasks as needed
6. Following the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality

Interns will report to the MHC Executive Director and work closely with the METS Director on field-based and in-office assignments.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this internship, students can expect to meet the following learning objectives:

ALL Tracks:

1. Describe the equine welfare programs and services available to Maryland horses and owners, including sponsor organizations, purposes, eligibility, funding mechanisms, and reported outcomes.

2. Assess horses around the state using standard criteria to determine what transition options might be best for each individual horse.

3. Explain why equine welfare is a concern in Maryland, and nationwide, referencing credible data and resources.

4. Research and write a brief article to be disseminated by the MHC.

5. Develop confidence and skills to discuss the equine life cycle with constituents in a variety of settings.

6. Evaluate one component of METS and make recommendations to improve outcomes.

In addition to the objectives listed above, interns will also meet the following based on the track selected:

Track #1: Public Education

ED1.  Design enduring educational materials on a topic selected jointly by the intern and METS staff.  Examples include a print or electronic publication, training session, research article, video presentation, etc.

Track #2: Program Management

PM1.  Collect and analyze relevant data, and write an evaluation report for MHC/METS stakeholders

PM2.  Identify and evaluate potential revenue sources for a non-profit equine program, overseeing implementation of one marketing or fundraising strategy.

Track #3: Advocacy (Spring only)

AD1.  Review and summarize statewide bills that may impact the horse industry.

AD2.  Participate in at least one grassroots advocacy effort for an area of equine-related legislative interest.

AD3.  Research and analyze data to help support equine-related legislative initiatives.

Application Process

Submit the MHC/METS Internship Application and two (2) letters of recommendation by the appropriate deadline. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview.

Deadline Dates:

                                    Application Due                     Notification By

Fall 2018:                    August 7                                  August 20

Spring 2019:                October 15                              November 15

Summer 2019:             April 15                                    May 15