Horses, burros, bison, and cows are raised on the land year-round. After working as a wrangler for three seasons, Seifert knew she wanted to stay at Philmont full-time. By 2019, she was hired as a technician, and with a college degree in equine science, she mostly focuses on the 180-230 horses that live on the ranch and training summer wranglers. “I love the heck out of my job. You know, it’s not the money that keeps you here. It’s the passion for sure,” she says.
Seifert drives horses through a gate at Philmont Scout Ranch on Nov. 15, 2022, in Cimarron, N.M. “I have been horse obsessed since I could talk,” says Seifert, “I rode my first horse when I was five and I started taking lessons regularly when I was nine.” At Philmont, Seifert knows the names of all 180 horses and takes pride in her care for them.
Seifert gets Robin ready in the kitchen before heading to daycare on the morning of Nov. 15, 2022. Seifert, her husband Curtis, and their two children, Robin and Silas live in a cabin at a backcountry camp on Philmont property. Her morning routine consists of a 40-minute commute down a dirt road to get into town.
Seifert herds young burros through pastures and enclosures on Nov. 15, 2022. This was the first time Seifert had ridden a horse since an elbow injury caused her to undergo surgery. “This time of year is when we actually get to get our hands dirty, and, you know, do the work that we love to do. But it's also really hard physically,” says Seifert.
Seifert stops in her truck to chat with her husband, Curtis, mid-day on Nov. 15, 2022. The two of them met while working as seasonal staffers at Philmont and fell in love. They got married, bought a house in Cimarron, N.M., and both took jobs working as educators for the Spring Correctional Center. Following Jessica, Curtis found a full-time job working in the maintenance department at Philmont.
Left: Seifert walks Silas into school on the morning of Nov. 16, 2022. The two of them were greeted with a plethora of waves and ‘good mornings’ by teachers and neighbors.
Seifert directs Robin to feed the baby goats they keep in their yard at home on Nov. 15, 2022. Living on the ranch, Seifert takes care of three baby goats, any horses that wander into her yard, three dogs, and one cat. She ensures to integrate her children’s lives with the care of animals. “Rural living is different. It's 45 minutes to the nearest stoplight from here, but it is 100% worth it for the childhood that our kids are going to have,” says Seifert.
Seifert pulls bales of hay stacked there by the Farms and Roads department on Nov. 13, 2022. With 180 horses currently on the ranch, tons of hay is stored to sustain them and other livestock throughout the winter months.
Left: Horses graze on hay left after snowfall overnight on Nov. 16, 2022. In the off-season, Seifert keeps records on where the horses are, and if they need hay or ice broken to have access to water.
Right: Seifert basks in the sunshine on a cold day in the backcountry on Nov. 16, 2022. A self-proclaimed warm-weather person, Seifert takes in as much of the warmth as she can in the winter months.
