Horse Handler

National Center For Equine Fac•Woodside, CA

10d•$22 - $30

About The Position

NCEFT is seeking a Horse Handler to exercise and care for horses and handle them in its mental health workshops, hippotherapy, and adaptive riding programs. The position may involve working across all programs and includes full-time work, benefits, and some evening and/or weekend hours. The Horse Handler supports the therapy programs as an equine specialist, working under the supervision of the Barn Manager and communicating with therapists and instructors about horse behavior and safety. The role also involves maintaining tack, equipment, and barn and arena work areas, participating in demonstrations and events, and maintaining current CPR and First Aid status.

Requirements

Strong horsemanship skills; ideally at least 3 years of experience working with equines, including handling, lunging, and riding a variety of horses at the walk, trot, and canter.
Demonstrated knowledge of equine behavior.
Ability to work well in a team with staff from a variety of disciplines.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate good time-management skills.
Ability to follow established safety and horsemanship protocols.
Ability to frequently lift up to 35 pounds from the ground to waist height during a normal workday.
Ability to walk and stand on uneven surfaces for up to 7 hours per day.
Agility and dexterity to move rapidly toward or away from full-sized horses to protect the safety of disabled riders and other people involved in sessions.
Ability to jog approximately 150 yards without stopping on an uneven surface while driving or leading a therapy horse.
Good communication and people skills.
Current CPR and First Aid status.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish proficiency.

Responsibilities

Act as an equine specialist supporting all three NCEFT therapy programs.
Help with daily conditioning and warm-up of horses, including hand walking, using the hot walker, turnout, lunging, and riding under the Barn Manager’s supervision.
Monitor horses’ performance during exercise and handling, and promptly report soundness or behavior problems to the Barn Manager.
Long-line or lead horses during sessions as needed.
Monitor horse behavior during sessions and promptly communicate concerns to the treating therapist or instructor and the Barn Manager.
Check tack and fittings before each therapy session.
Clean, condition, and inspect tack and equipment weekly, and report needed repairs to the Barn Manager.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and organized barn and arena work area.
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 Manager.
Maintain current CPR and First Aid status.
Perform other duties as needed.