Horse Handler

Position Summary:

NCEFT is looking to add an additional Horse Handler to its enthusiastic and dedicated team! Horse Handlers are responsible for exercising and caring for our horses and handling horses in our nationally-renowned programs including hippotherapy and adaptive riding sessions, mental health workshops, and special events. This position is flexible (part-time or full-time) and may include some 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:

• Possess strong horsemanship skills and have experience handling, lunging, and riding a variety of horses at the walk/trot/canter.
• Work well in a team environment, supporting other barn staff, and working with all NCEFT staff as necessary.
• Work independently and possess good time management skills.
• Follow established safety and horsemanship protocols.
• 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.).
• 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).
• 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.
• Good communication and people skills.

Pay Range:

$18-30 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to Apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to jobs@nceft.org.

NCEFT is an equal opportunity employer.