Horse Handler

Position Summary:

NCEFT is seeking an experienced, skilled horse person to join our Barn Staff team.  Horse Handlers are responsible for exercising and caring for NCEFT horses; and handling horses in mounted sessions, mental health workshops and special events; following established safety and horsemanship protocols  We work hard but it’s a great job, working with a great team, helping people in need, and working with our herd. This position is flexible (part-time or full-time) and may include evenings and Saturdays.

Direct Responsibilities:

• Help with the daily conditioning/warm up of all horses, including hand walking, hot walker, turn out, lunging, and riding under the supervision of the Barn Director.
• During exercise and handling, closely monitor each horse’s performance and report immediately any soundness or behavior problems to the Barn Director.
• Long line or lead horses during sessions as needed.
• As equine specialist, support Mental Health & Resilience programs as needed.
• Closely monitor the horse’s behavior during all sessions and immediately communicate any concerns to the treating therapist or instructor and the Barn Director.
• Check all tack and fittings prior to each therapy session.
• Clean, condition and inspect all tack and equipment on a weekly basis. Report any repairs needed to the Barn Director.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and organized barn/arena work area at all times.
• Participate in demonstrations and events as needed throughout the year, including NCEFT sponsored events.
• Use NCEFT staff communication tools as defined by the management team and Barn Director.
• Maintain current CPR and First Aid status.
• Other duties as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Must possess strong horsemanship skills and have experience handling, lunging, and riding a variety of horses at the walk/trot/canter.
• Must work well in a team environment, supporting other barn staff, and working with all NCEFT staff as necessary.
• Must be able to work independently and possess good time management skills.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds from the ground to waist height frequently during a normal workday (hay, grain, feed, tack boxes, saddles, feed buckets, etc.).
• Must be able to walk and stand in/on uneven surfaces for up to 7 hours per day (i.e., warming up horses, tacking horses for sessions, leading horses for therapy sessions, bringing horses to and from their stalls over a 12 acre “farm/ranch” facility).
• Must possess the agility and dexterity to rapidly move toward or away from full-sized horses to protect the safety of the disabled rider and/or side walkers / horse handlers / therapists.
• Must be able to jog, without stopping, approximately 150 yards on an uneven surface, while driving or leading a therapy horse.
• Must have good communication and people skills.

Pay Range:

$18-24 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to Apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to NCEFT’s Barn & Facilities Director at jobs@nceft.org.

NCEFT is an equal opportunity employer.