Big West Guide & Wrangler School

INTRODUCTION

The steady annual increase in the number of tourists and outdoor adventure seekers into remote regions of Alberta require training and experience on behalf of the Guides and Wranglers entrusted with safety of these guests, guests who are seeking greater challenges and education from their wilderness holidays.

The serious lack of qualified Guides and Horse Wranglers in Alberta is forcing those operating within in the industry to rely on inexperienced employees from around the globe, most of whom are nothing more than tourists themselves seeking seasonal employment. This not only opens the doors for potentially dangerous situations to develop, but also sees the “Client” receiving less than adequate attention during their adventure, many of whom leave feeling somewhat disappointed with their experience.

This is Alberta, world famous for being the land of the “Canadian Cowboy” and home to the “Calgary Stampede”. Most every visitor is seeking a the experience of a horse back adventure, not only wanting to feel like a cowboy during their outing, but to be led by someone experienced and knowledgeable with regards to the horses, the wilderness surroundings and the wildlife that lives in the country they explore.

Horses are animals with a mind of their own, and although they may appear to be docile and complacent they can become unpredictable and even dangerous if the situation arises. Having an inexperienced and untrained guide in the lead of a group of mounted guests can only spell disaster if the unexpected may occur.

The importance of a Guide and Wrangler training program is of the utmost importance in order to ensure the safety of guests, horses and entrusted employees alike.

OBJECTIVE

It is our objective at the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” to train participants not only at an introductory level but also on an advanced level for those serious about seeking a career within the guiding industry.

Both our introductory program and our advanced program build confidence and character while enabling students to meet the ever growing demands of today’s tourists and the industry.

Our introductory program is designed for participants with limited horseback experience seeking seasonal employment as a Trail Guide at one of Alberta’s many daily trail riding outfits such as “Warner’s Stables” located in Banff, “Brewster’s Stables” located in Lake Louise or “Timberline Tours” also located in Lake Louise.

Our advanced level program is applicable for those individuals with specific goals in mind such as head adventure tourism guide working in Alberta’s premier back country, or managing or owning their own adventure tourism company.

THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS

The back country tourism industry requires qualified Adventure Guides and Horse Wranglers in order to offer clients a safe and high quality horseback experience.

Graduates from the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” will benefit on a professional and personal level, gaining confidents in themselves and in the development of their work ethics and professionalism.

The employers of “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” graduates will quickly learn to appreciate the value of trained and professional employees and can certainly expect to see the continual increase in their client appreciation levels.

Clients seeking a truly enjoyable horseback experience will certainly appreciate the professional manner in which they are treated by “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” graduates, adding to the memories of their experience in Alberta.

The economic impacts of the tourism industry are significant and Alberta’s communities are quickly developing the expertise that is required for participation in this growing industry. Graduates of the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” bring their experience and knowledge back to their communities assisting with the future devolvement of the tourism industry on a local and provincial level.

INTRODUCTORY PROGRAM

TRAINING OBJECTIVE

To familiarize participants seeking seasonal employment with the basic skills of general horsemanship, client safety and industry professionalism.

WRANGLING

1) Learning how to safely approach, halter and release a horse

2)      “   proper leading techniques

3)      “   proper knots and tie up techniques

4)      “   equine injury identification techniques

4)      “   proper brushing and combing techniques

5)      “   proper blanket and saddle pad placement

6)      “   proper saddle placement and girth location

7)      “   proper bridling techniques and bit placement

TACK ADJUSTMENTS

1) Learning proper stirrup adjustment to suit client needs

2)      “       to identify proper saddle seat size according to client comfort

RIDING

1) Learning proper mounting techniques

2)      “       proper dismounting techniques

3)      “       proper leg positioning and balance

4)      “       proper rein length and head control of mount

5)      “       proper way to regain and maintain control of frightened mount

GUEST ORIENTATION AND RIDING INTRODUCTION

1) Learning proper methods of guest introduction to horse

2)      “       Proper method of riding instruction for guest

3)      “       Proper method of mounting and dismounting guests

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

1) Learning to identify guest/horse problems

2)      “     Professional manner in which to defuse potentially harmful                situations to either horse or rider

3)      “     The do’s and dont’s of trail riding

PROFESSIONALISM AND GUIDE ETHICS

1) Learning proper client care

2)      “   to identify the comfort zones of individual clients

3)      “   the proper way to handle a disgruntled or rude client

GENERAL HORSE CARE AND FEED REQUIREMENTS

1) Learning the nutritional requirements of an equine under normal and heavy use conditions

FIRST AID INSTRUCTION

1) Learning basic St. Johns first aid and client care

INTRODUTORY PROGRAM SUMMARY

The introductory program is conducted over a three day period during which the hours of instruction are 10 hours each day.

Graduates of the “Big West Guide and Wrangler” school shall each receive a certificate recognizing their completion and an up to date list of all Trail Ride Outfits in Alberta currently seeking employees.

Program instruction, written material pertaining to the Introductory Program, meals and lodging shall be supplied to participants during the 3 day program.

The “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” promotes a drug and alcohol free environment without exception. Any participants caught using or observed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol shall be expelled from the program and asked to leave our facility immediately and without refund.

WILDERNESS GUIDE AND WRANGLER TRAINING PROGRAM

The “Big West Guide and Wrangler School’s” Wilderness Guiding and Wrangler program requires that you have some guiding and horse related skills. Whether these skills were acquired as a participant at our introductory program or on your own, they are required as a prerequisite of our program. 

HORSE HANDLING

1) General review of proper horse catching, preparation and saddling techniques

2) General review of equine injury and stiffness identification

3) Learning to properly match horses with the guest abilities and comfort levels

HORSE PACKING

1) Familiarization with the “Decker” and “Sawbuck” traditional pack saddles

2) Instruction on proper saddle fitting and placement for individual pack animals

3) Instruction in proper load organization and weight dispersement

4) Instruction in proper “Pack Box “organization and weight dispersement

5) Instruction in the use of the “Basket Rope” during the construction of the “Crow Foot” hitch and the “Barrel” hitch

6) Instruction in proper load balance and top pack placement

7) Instruction in proper load tarping techniques

8) Instruction in tying the single and double diamond hitches.

PACK STRING HANDLING

1) Instruction in proper tail tying techniques

2)      “          in leading a pack string safely through different types of terrain and obstacles

3) Instruction in how to approach a “tangled” pack string and how to safely diffuse the situation

HORSE SHOEING

1) General overview of the equine foot and its inner construction

2) Introduction to proper hoof trimming techniques

3) Introduction to proper shoe placement and safe nailing techniques

4) Instruction in nail clenching and hoof dressing after shoeing

This section of our Wilderness Guide and Wrangler program is not intended to be an in depth horse shoeing program. It is intended to give participants a general knowledge base, supplying them with the necessary means to replace a horse’s shoe while in the field.

WILDERNESS CAMP CONSTRUCTION

1) Instruction in how to identify the proper location for a wilderness camp site.

2) Instruction in camp construction having minimal environmental impact.

3) Instruction in how to properly identify an environmentally friendly latrine location

4) Instruction in proper “grey water” disposal

The use of Alberta’s wilderness areas by tourist oriented Guiding Companies plays an important part in the economic growth of both the rural communities and the province in general. The continued use of these pristine areas has become a vital part of not only the tourist industry but for Alberta’s residents who enjoy partaking in a wilderness adventure.

The impact of each visitor on these fragile wilderness areas must be kept at a minimum in order to protect and sustain the allowable use of such areas. It is one of our prime objectives at the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” to instill in every one of our participants the tremendous importance of leaving behind them as small a footprint as possible.

CAMP FIRES

1) Instruction in identifying environmentally safe camp fire locations

2)      “          in proper fire starting procedures

3)      “          in safe and environmentally friendly camp fire disposal

WILDLIFE PHOTRAGHY

1) Instruction in wildlife identification

2)      “          in species habitat and daily habits

3)      “          in terrain assessment

4)      “          in proper game stalking

5)      “          in how to anticipate quarry movement in order to safely position guest to supply best photo opportunity.

6)      “          in how to successfully photograph wildlife in it’s natural environment while ensuring the least amount of negative impact on the animals daily habits.

WILDERNESS FIRST AID AND EVACUATION

1) Instruction in Wilderness First aid by a trained medical professional

2)      “         in the proper techniques and procedures used to safely evacuate an injured person

3)       “         in how to properly locate and secure an acceptable helicopter landing site

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

1) Instruction in wilderness survival techniques

2)      “          in wilderness shelter construction

3)      “          in the edible plants and mushrooms of the Rocky Mountains

4)      “          in fire building without using modern technology

5)      “          in snaring and humane methods of food gathering in extreme situations of isolation

WILDERNESS GUIDE AND WRANGLER PROGRAM SUMMARY

The continually growing and ever evolving Wilderness Tourist Industry in Alberta and North America for that matter has seen the development of hundreds of Wilderness Adventure companies both of a hunting and non-hunting nature in the past two decades. One of the key problems confronting those who operate these companies is the tremendous lack of qualified personnel available for employment on a seasonal and year round basis. It is our objective at the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School” to make available a quality learning institute to those career minded individuals seeking a life working within the Wilderness Tourism Industry.

The age old arts of Wilderness horseback travel, horse packing and wilderness survival are acquired skills that cannot be learned within the confines of a classroom or schoolhouse, they must be passed down to those who wish to learn while being surrounded in a Wilderness environment.

The growing demand for qualified Wilderness Guides and Horse Wranglers almost ensures our graduates of immediate acceptance into the work field. Each graduate from our “Wilderness Guide and Wrangler School “ will be supplied with a diploma outlining their personal accomplishments accompanied by a letter of recommendation for employment from the “Big West Guide and Wrangler School”.

The “Big West Wilderness Guide and Wrangler School” is conducted over a 7 period during which the hours of instruction shall vary in length yet be based on an average 10 hour day.

Program instruction, written material pertaining to the Introductory Program, meals and lodging shall be supplied to participants during the 7 day program.

The “Big West Wilderness Guide and Wrangler School” promotes a drug and alcohol free environment without exception. Any participants caught using or observed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol shall be expelled from the program and asked to leave our facility immediately.