There are plenty of legal teenage girls who would be giddy at the chance to deal with the “messier side of equestrian sports” for the same pay as the transients. Horse crazy teenage girls would probably be more dependable, and bring less baggage as well. I worked through and college as a barn girl, and you know what? If I weren’t a stay at home mom with little people who need me to be there, I’d happily be a barn “girl” again! One can’t find a better way to get quiet time to think than while mucking out stalls. Only thing better is sitting mare watch (waiting for her to go into labor).
I worked through high school and college... Darn phone got hungry and ate words.