The Mission

Equine Manager - Part Time - Hourly - Position to start Fall 2025
A full-time opportunity may be available for the right candidate.

The Ranch Hand is the perfect position for a person who loves horses and wants to know that in caring for them, they are making a difference in the lives of others by helping carry out the Ranch's mission. The ideal candidate comes with a minimum of three years of consistent equine experience, a confident ability to ride and handle a variety of horses, has knowledge of equine nutrition, and has a love for people and a heart for the Ranch's mission. The Equine Manager is responsible for working with volunteers to feed horses and complete the daily farm chores as well as providing equine care including helping with vet and farrier visits, riding, training and evaluating horses, and seeking to bring out the best in each horse so they can do their best job as a Session Horse. Ranch grounds and facility maintenance are also a part of the daily routine.

Hours:
Tuesday: 9am-7:30pm

Saturday: 9am-5:30pm

6 additional hours per week, flexible scheduling. Thursday mornings will be required on farrier day (1-2x/mo)

 

This position may involve duties outside of the typical role during special events (fundraisers, community volunteer days, large group session days, etc.). 

Qualifications

• 3 Years or more of consistent, verifiable equine experience within the past 10 years: riding, handling, and care. 

• Excellent interpersonal communication and leadership skills (this position involves working with and supervising volunteers to help care for the horses by a daily chore routine).

• Ability to confidently ride/exercise a variety of horses to help strengthen their topline to be suitable for their work. Must be able to demonstrate proficient ability to ride a horse at all gaits in a full and light seat.

• Ability to evaluate suitability of horses for session work and evaluate rescue horses

• Ability to train horses under saddle including those that would be considered "green broke" or have some behavioral challenges. Must be able to appropriately correct behavioral challenges and work in the moment to develop a plan to continue to work through challenges.

• Ability to use natural horsemanship principals of pressure and release to help train horses on the ground and under saddle, adhere to Freedom Reigns Ranch's horsemanship principals with all Ranch horses asking for softness and from partnership through trust, respect, and understanding.

• Basic ability to work with horses at liberty (understanding the principals of equine body language and position in relation to and in response to horses).

• Ability to recognize and respond to equine emergencies (taking TPR, digital pulse, colic, wounds, abrasions, wrapping, etc.)

• Valid Drivers license and experience in operating ATV/RTV

• Reliable transportation is of utmost importance! Please do not apply for this position if transportation and being on time for work is a challenge for you.

• Completion of volunteer training program

• Experience with use of basic office applications and willingness to utilize time tracking system at Freedom Reigns Ranch

• Be able to complete the following with or without reasonable accommodation:

  • Lift 50/80 lbs. regularly​ (feed bags, hay bales)

  • Bend, lift, twist, walk and safely traverse uneven ground

  • Ability to recognize and respond to equine emergencies

  • Ability to work in and through all weather conditions (rain, wind, sleet, snow, ice, heat, sun, cold, hot)

  • Safely groom, tack, bathe, clip, and handle a variety of horses

  • Ride a variety of horses at a variety of training levels

• Ability to operate a tractor (preferred) or willingness to learn to operate tractor (Kubota MX5400)

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Responsibilities

• Perform the daily horse care and facility maintenance routine with and supervising volunteers as well as alone (mucking, feeding, cleaning troughs, throwing hay, sweeping, organizing)

• Perform the daily extended horse care routine (picking feet, applying fly spray, skin and coat treatments, blanketing, fly masks, wound and hoof treatments)

• Oversee and work alongside volunteers to complete horse care tasks on days volunteers are assigned.

• Evaluate and exercise/or arrange for exercising horses to keep them suitable for session work

• Evaluate rescued horses for session suitability or adoptability, training 

• Train New Horse Care Volunteers on Horse Care Routine and ensure all Horse Care Volunteers adhere to the tenants of their training

• Train/retrain/untrain session horses on an ongoing basis

• Bring all concerns about equine illness or injury to the immediate attention of the Director and handle emergencies as appropriate. Please note: in an emergency, staff is required to stay with horse until appropriate relief arrives.

• Help maintain cleanliness and organization of barn, common areas, and pastures.

• Help maintain all fencing and pasture areas for equine safety

• Keep inventory of equine feed, supplements, and hay

• Complete or work collaboratively with Volunteers to complete tasks related to Ranch facility and equine needs 

• Work with director to coordinate and lead farrier and vet visits

• Utilize Ranch information systems to log hours and update protocols.

• Work collaboratively with staff improve routines

• Attend staff meetings as scheduled

• Assist in sessions as needed

• Other duties as assigned

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The qualifications for this role have been carefully considered to select the right candidates for consideration. Please, respectfully, do not apply for this position if you do not meet all of the above qualifications. Internship opportunities that have an equine focus are available for those interested in similar opportunities.

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Interested?
Email your resume and letter of interest to carissa@freedomreignsranch.com
Interview process involves a phone interview, reference checks, background check and working interview.​