Barn Assistant - Per Diem

Hospital for Special Care; New Britain (CT); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

The Barn Assistant at Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, part of Hospital for Special Care, is responsible for daily care of horses, including feeding, supplements, blanketing and stalls. Will monitor horse health, respond to concerns, and coordinate with program staff to align with schedules and weather conditions.

Key duties include turning horses in/out, maintaining feed/water, and performing essential barn tasks with a focus on safety and welfare of the animals.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Daily care and management of the horses at the riding center including feeding and supplements/meds.
• Blanketing, mucking stalls and paddocks, and cleaning feed and water buckets.
• Turn horses out and in in accordance with program schedules and other schedules.
• Monitor overall health and soundness and report concerns to supervisor.
• Demonstrate proper horse handling techniques and perform barn chores.

Skills

Horse health assessment

Equine care experience

Horse handling

Education

One year equine care experience

HS Diploma preferred

Horse ownership experience

Job description

Position Location

Hospital for Special Care

Scheduled Weekly Hours

0

Work Shift

First Shift

Department

Manes and Motions Riding Center

We are dedicated to creating an environment of care and engagement that makes us one of the most desirable places to work, providing exceptional care to each patient each and every day!

• (6584) BARN ASSISTANT - PER DIEM

Qualifications

Required: Ability to take a horse’s vital signs and identify health concerns, illnesses and unsoundness. Required: One year experience in the field of equine care. Preferred: High School Diploma. Preferred: At least two years 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 to include daily feedings and administering of supplements/meds, blanketing, mucking stalls and paddocks, cleaning feed and water buckets and associated barn chores. This position is responsible for turning horses out and bringing them in, in accordance with program schedules, farrier/vet/dentist schedules and weather conditions. The Barn Assistant monitors the overall health and soundness of the horses and communicates 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 skills including lifting, carrying, reaching, raking, shoveling, sweeping, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting and pushing/pulling up to 100% of each shift. Grasp with both hands on frequent basis to handle equipment and horses. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Fine hand manipulation with both hands is required on occasional basis to manipulate small objects. Maintain strength and endurance as related to the physical demands of the work environment.

COGNITIVE DEMANDS

Job requires a working knowledge of horse care and health and the ability to take a horse’s vital signs and identify health concerns. Job requires independent problem identification, problem solving techniques, and adaptability. Quick decision making is required. Job requires use of good judgment in determining horse turnout, weather conditions and whether blanketing is required or not. Position requires reading and auditory comprehension of abstractions and an ability to make inferences. Job requires ability to adjust and prioritize schedule to adapt to events as needed.

WORK DEMANDS

Job requires working primarily outdoors with moderate exposure to dust and allergens. There may be occasional exposure to body fluids and blood borne pathogens. Job requires working independently and interdependently with others listed in principle relationships (Section III). There may be a need to respond to equine medical or behavioral emergency situations. Schedule flexibility is occasionally required. Adheres to assigned schedule.

Essential Functions

Removes manure from stalls, pastures, riding arena and trail according to established procedures to ensure hoof health and equine comfort and wellness. Demonstrates proper horse handling techniques when entering and exiting the stalls, placing the horses on cross ties, leading the horses and turning the horses out and in. Provides 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 implements equine first aid measures using appropriate supplies and practice methods. Performs cleaning of feed and water buckets and completes associated barn chores.