Last year, when I posted a review of our experience at Cypress Trails Ranch, some of you lovely mamas reached out and told me about the internship the ranch offers! We signed up almost immediately after learning about it, and I wanted to share a few quick facts in case it piques your child’s interest:
- Ages 8 and up can intern without a parent on-site. (Kids younger than 8 can intern too, as long as a parent stays on-site. I’m not sure what the minimum age is, but honestly, I wouldn’t really recommend the program for children under 7 or 8.)
- Interns are taught how to handle the horses and help with ranch chores.
- After a 20-hour probationary period, your child will start earning “horse bucks” for the hours they work. These can be used to pay for trail rides, lessons, and other ranch activities.
- The ranch staff really trust the kids and give them real responsibilities. On my daughter’s first day, she filled hay bags, fed and watered the horses, led horses to their posts, helped with grooming, and more!
We found all the info on their website. Here’s a direct link to the intern packet.
Mom-to-mom, here are some tips:
- As I mentioned above, drop-off is fine for ages 8 and up. The internship is well run, but it is a working horse ranch -- with multiple employees, older interns, and guests coming and going. So, even though my daughter is 11 and technically old enough to be dropped off, I stay on-site to keep an eye on things. I usually bring my laptop and get some work done while she’s busy. That said, drop-off is absolutely fine if you’re comfortable with it! Your child can bring a lunch and spend a good part of the day at the ranch.
- Expect dogs. Most horse ranches have dogs, and this one is no exception. In fact, you’ll likely see about five dogs roaming the property. They’re all friendly, non-confrontational, and well-behaved. But if your child isn’t a fan of dogs, it’s definitely something to consider. They tend to roam freely.
- Chores are great for kids. They build character, grit, and a sense of independence. If your child’s usual chores involve vacuuming once in a while or wiping down the table, just imagine the growth you’ll see when they start doing bigger jobs. This internship has been a godsend for my daughter. It’s amazing to see her work for hours -- carrying hay bags, sweeping, leading some of the biggest horses on the ranch -- and doing it all with a smile. (This is the same girl I still have to remind to make her bed in the morning!) Interns also sign in and out of an intern logbook and track their own hours, which teaches responsibility and time management.
In general, this kind of work offers exercise, fresh air, opportunities for problem-solving, appreciation for animals and nature, and a real sense of accomplishment. It’s a great alternative to screen time!
Need another reason to consider it? I’ve heard it said that working around horses delays a girl’s interest in boys by at least two years. LOL! Worth a try, right?
Oh, and there's also this little tire swing that we enjoy each time before we leave!
Cypress Trails Ranch is located at 21415 Cypresswood Dr in Humble, approximately 21 minutes from The Woodlands.
