When Lynsey graduated from Butler Tech’s Equine Science program in 2022, she knew she wanted a future with horses. What she didn’t know was that journey would eventually take her from southwest Ohio to the mountains of Montana.
Today, the Middletown High School graduate works as a wrangler at Rich’s Guest Ranch in Seeley Lake, Montana, where her days begin before sunrise and are spent riding, caring for horses, guiding guests on trail rides and sharing her passion for the equine industry.
But her journey started years earlier.
Lynsey first began riding horses around age 10. While she started later than many of her peers, she never let that discourage her.
“I never let it affect my passion toward horses,” she said.
As a freshman in high school, Lynsey first learned about Butler Tech. Encouraged by her riding instructor and mentor, Colleen Thompson, she began exploring the Equine Science program. After researching the program, talking with instructors and learning more about the opportunities available, she knew it was the place she wanted to be.
“Even after just a month at NSC as a junior, I realized this could be a real career for me,” she said.
The Equine Science program gave Lynsey the opportunity to combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences while continuing to grow as a rider. She credits the program’s flexibility and support for helping her develop both personally and professionally.
Originally, Lynsey planned to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Instead, conversations at Butler Tech helped her consider new possibilities and encouraged her to take the next step in her education.
That decision led her to the University of Findlay, where she enrolled in August 2022. Four years later, she graduated with bachelor’s degrees in English Equestrian Studies and Business Administration.
“While my heart lies in the horse world and sharing my passion, it’s not always the most stable industry,” Lynsey said. “Picking up a business degree was a no-brainer. It will always be there to back me up and will be helpful in any job opportunity.”
Lynsey says Butler Tech prepared her for both college and the professional world in ways she didn’t expect. One of her most impactful experiences came through the Student Ambassador program.
As an ambassador, she represented Butler Tech at events, shared her experiences with prospective students and families, and learned how to communicate confidently with diverse audiences.
“The structure the ambassador program gave helped me tremendously with my confidence to speak in front of crowds, form coherent conversations, and problem solve quickly and efficiently,” she said. “These are qualities I have been building on since in a professional manner, classroom setting and in my daily barn work.”
Today, those skills serve her well at Rich’s Guest Ranch.
A typical day starts at 6 a.m. as Lynsey and her fellow wranglers saddle up and ride out to bring horses in from their pastures. After breakfast with guests, the team prepares horses for the day’s activities, which can range from short trail rides to full-day adventures through Montana’s scenic landscapes.
No two days are exactly alike. Guests may spend the afternoon swimming, taking a pontoon ride, visiting a historic ghost town or exploring more trails on horseback. Evenings often end with stories shared around a campfire before the horses are turned out to graze for the night.
While Lynsey loves working with horses, she says the people she meets along the way are what make the experience truly special.
“My favorite part of the equine industry is definitely the people,” she said. “You will meet all kinds of interesting people with even more interesting stories. There are so many lessons to be learned.”
Looking back, Lynsey credits Butler Tech with helping her realize that her future wasn’t limited to a single path.
“BT showed me that there are so many opportunities in every direction and that you don’t have to decide immediately,” she said.
For current Butler Tech Equine Science students who dream of building a career in the industry, her advice is simple:
“Don’t be afraid to get out there. It’s a big world, there is a lot to see and so many people who will love working with you.”
From Middletown to Montana, Lynsey’s journey is a reminder that a passion discovered in high school can open doors far beyond what students may initially imagine. By embracing new opportunities, continuing her education and pursuing her goals, she transformed a love for horses into a career that allows her to share that passion with others every day.
