Barn Assistant

Hospital for Special Care; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

The Hospital for Special Care is seeking a Barn Assistant for the Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center. This role involves the daily care and management of horses, including feeding, medication administration, and maintaining horse health. Candidates should have at least one year of equine care experience and the ability to monitor horse vital signs.

Successful candidates will work outdoors with some exposure to allergens and must exhibit good judgment in handling horses and responding to emergencies. A competitive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience in equine care.
• Preferred: At least two years of horse ownership experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for horses, including feeding and monitoring health.
• Remove manure from stalls and pastures.
• Implement equine first aid measures.

Skills

Ability to take horse vital signs

Experience in equine care

Decision making

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Position Details

Position Location: Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 3
Work Shift: First Shift
Department: Manes and Motions Riding Center

Qualifications

• Required: Ability to take a horse’s vital signs and identify health concerns, illnesses, and unsoundness.
• Required: One year experience in equine care.
• Preferred: High School Diploma.
• Preferred: At least two years of horse ownership experience.

Job Summary

The Barn Assistant is responsible for the daily care and management of the horses at Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, including daily feedings, administering of supplements and medications, blanketing, mucking stalls and paddocks, cleaning feed and water buckets, and related barn chores. This position turns horses out and brings them in in accordance with program schedules, farrier/vet/dentist schedules, and weather conditions. The Barn Assistant monitors overall horse health and soundness, communicating any concerns or problems to the Program Coordinator or designee.

Physical Demands

• Stand or walk 90-100% of each shift.
• Sit 0-10% of each shift.
• Perform physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, reaching, raking, shoveling, sweeping, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and pushing/pulling up to 100% of each shift.
• Grasp with both hands frequently to handle equipment and horses.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Fine hand manipulation with both hands occasionally to manipulate small objects.
• Maintain strength and endurance related to the physical demands of the work environment.

Cognitive Demands

• Working knowledge of horse care and health; ability to take horse vital signs and identify health concerns.
• Independent problem identification, problem solving, and adaptability.
• Quick decision making required.
• Use good judgment in determining horse turnout, weather conditions, and blanket requirements.
• Reading and auditory comprehension of abstractions and ability to make inferences.
• Adjust and prioritize schedule to adapt to events as needed.

Work Demands

• Primarily outdoors with moderate exposure to dust and allergens.
• Occasional exposure to body fluids and bloodborne pathogens.
• Work independently and interdependently with others in principle relationships.
• Potential response required to equine medical or behavioral emergency situations.
• Schedule flexibility occasionally required.
• Adheres to assigned schedule.

Essential Functions

• Remove manure from stalls, pastures, riding arena, and trail according to established procedures.
• Demonstrate proper horse handling techniques when entering and exiting stalls, placing horses on cross ties, leading horses, and turning horses out and in.
• Provide direct care for horses, including daily monitoring for health and soundness, administering supplements and medications, feeding, blanketing, filling/refreshing water buckets, and turning horses out and in.
• Effectively implement equine first aid measures using appropriate supplies and practice methods.
• Perform cleaning of feed and water buckets and complete associated barn chores.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and offer a competitive benefits package.