The Wrangler & Horse Coordinator (WHC) serves as the supervisor and trainer of wranglers and horses for the TEXAS Outdoor Musical, produced by the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, Inc. (TPHF), and all other events involving horses produced by TPHF, both at the Pioneer Amphitheater and elsewhere. The WHC oversees the hiring and training of seasonal wranglers, the leasing and training of horses, and the overall coordination of horse activities and care for the production. The WHC reports to the Artistic Director for all leasing, purchasing and equipment logistics, and for all wrangler hiring and horse-related artistic choices. The WHC is an extended seasonal contractor for TPHF under the umbrella of the Cultural Foundations of the Texas Panhandle (CFTP), which administers all TPHF business and operations and is led by the Executive Director.
- Coordinate the auditioning and recruitment of all wranglers who will ride, handle, and care for horses in TEXAS Outdoor Musical, and recommend hire to the Artistic Director
- Facilitate the evaluation of horses, and coordinate horse leases for the production including pickup and dropoff, as well as housing pre- or post-season
- Assess and address health, fitness, and training issues of leased horses to ensure readiness for wrangler handling and rehearsal process
- Coordinate the acquisition of all necessary tack and supplies for horses and wranglers
- Facilitate initial training sessions for horses and wranglers at the WHC’s personal arena
- Transport leased horses to the Pioneer Amphitheater for rehearsals and the performance run
- Provide head wrangler training and supervision during rehearsal process for horse care including pen cleaning, watering, feeding, saddle fit, grooming, tying, etc.
- Transport horses to the veterinarian as needed and where possible
- Provide dark day (Monday) care of the horses at the performance venue
- Coordinate horse shoeing with the farrier at the performance venue
- Coordinate supply logistics for feed delivery, medical supplies, etc. for rehearsals and the performance run
- Troubleshoot horse issues with the head wrangler and be present on-site not less than three times per week to ensure effective horse operations for the production