Farm Workers To Attend To Thoroughbred Horses

Job description

Clean stalls each morning by removing soiled bedding by pitchfork into muck wagon, then replace with fresh bedding, and blow out shed row of debris. Empty, clean and refill 5gal water buckets and feed tubs. Help move bales of hay from storage to barns (could weigh in excess of 50lbs), fill feed cart (bags weigh 50lbs each). Distribute feed, hay and supplements according to instructions. Maintain clean feed, hay and straw storage areas. Identify and catch horses in field, affix lead shank to halter, lead horses into barn to their assigned stall. Daily care and grooming including bathing, brushing, picking feet, painting hoofs, pulling manes, clipping. Identify sick or injured horses and administer treatment under the direction of the farm manager. Treatments include applying bandages, wrapping legs, administering medications and vaccinations. Hold horses for farriers and veterinarians. Break and train horses: apply saddle towel and tack to horse in stall, mount and exercise horse transitioning from stall, to shed row, to paddock, to track and gate exercises. Hand walk to cool down after training then bathe and groom before returning to their assigned stall. Launder and fold/roll saddle towels/bandages. Sales prep horses will be turned out nightly to their designated paddocks.

Load/unload horses for departures/arrivals. Assist in maintaining stalls and farm grounds at all times: blow out or rake barn aisles, keep stall areas and ceiling free of dirt/debris/cobwebs, clean and sanitize bathrooms and break areas. Assist in preparing and holding/walking horses for presentation to owners, clients, visitors, photographer, videographer.

Additional duties may be required to help maintain property, including grounds, fencing, barns and buildings. Use of basic hand and power tools may be necessary. Mowing, weedeating, spraying insecticide and/or weed control. Painting or replacing damaged fence boards. Setting up feed/hay/straw storage, supply room and bathing/grooming areas. Strip stalls, disinfect walls and surrounding area, reclay stall floors.

Special Requirements

Workers should be able to regularly lift 50lbs to feed horses and climb up into trailer/storage to retrieve hay or straw. Workers should also be physically fit to stand, bend, walk, push/pull and perform work duties for prolonged periods. Workers may have to endure extreme weather conditions (<25 and >100 degrees), high heat and humidity, wind, rain, possible named storms. Workers must arrive at or before the scheduled start time each work day and competently perform work duties until the designated end time.