DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - For Delaware Valley University equestrian student-athlete Rhiannon Swimelar, this summer has been the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for horses with her career aspirations.

Swimelar is serving as the assistant barn manager at Summer Wind Farm, where she helps oversee the daily care and management of three retired riding horses and a pony broodmare. With the mare expecting a foal, she's also preparing to assist with foaling and mare-and-foal care.

In addition to her responsibilities at the barn, Swimelar is working with Lucky Horse Wellness to become an equine body worker. She recently earned her MagnaWave PEMF certification and now travels to appointments, providing therapy to client horses while continuing to develop her equine massage skills.

"The most rewarding part of the position has been seeing the results of PEMF therapy on both client horses and my own," Swimlar said.

While the work has been rewarding, it has also brought challenges. Learning to work with aging horses has given her a new perspective on equine care.

"The most challenging part has been understanding when it's the best time for older horses to move on to greener pastures," she said.

Another hurdle came when she transitioned from practicing bodywork on familiar horses to treating client horses.

"It pushed me outside my comfort zone," Swimelar said. "It can be hard to remember all the proper terminology, but working with long-term clients and my manager has helped me become more confident."

As an equine breeding major, Swimelar says the position is exactly where she wants to be.

"Helping Summer Wind Farm develop its pony breeding program while also practicing bodywork has worked out to be my dream position," she said.

Her experience on Delaware Valley's Hunt Seat team has also prepared her for the role.

"Understanding how horses move while performing different jobs helps me recognize where they may be sore and how I can help them," she said.

One of the highlights of the summer has been preparing for the arrival of the farm's newest addition.

"We're currently waiting for the pony foal that's due at the beginning of July," Swimlar said. "The anticipation has definitely been my favorite part of the summer."

For student-athletes looking to follow a similar path, Swimelar encourages them to embrace every opportunity.

"Don't be afraid to start in a lower-level position," she said. "I started here as a barn cleaner, and it quickly grew into a position that fits exactly what I want to do in my career."