Assistant Ranch Manager / Horse Care Lead

Assistant Ranch Manager Position

Emerald Hills Ranch | Winters, CA

Position Overview

Emerald Hills Ranch is looking for a dependable, experienced, and hands on Assistant Ranch Manager to help lead daily operations at our horse boarding facility in Winters, CA.

We are a private horse boarding ranch caring for approximately 40 horses on a large ranch property. This position is best suited for someone who is responsible, calm around horses, organized, physically capable, and comfortable leading a small team while also doing the daily work.

This is a hands on leadership position. The right person must be willing and able to work alongside the team, not just supervise from a distance.

The Assistant Ranch Manager will work closely with ownership and another ranch lead who focuses more on projects, repairs, maintenance, and ranch improvements. Together, these roles help keep the ranch running safely, consistently, and efficiently.

Ownership provides overall direction and management, while the Assistant Ranch Manager helps lead the day to day horse care operation and supports part time staff.

Primary Responsibilities

Daily Horse Care and Operations

• Help oversee daily horse care, including feeding, watering, turnouts, stall cleaning, blanketing, and general monitoring
• Monitor horses for signs of illness, injury, behavior changes, or safety concerns
• Support rain day procedures, pasture management, turnouts, and stall use
• Maintain a consistent daily routine and make sure horse care standards are followed
• Help make sure the ranch is clean, safe, organized, and operating smoothly each day

Staff Leadership

• Help manage and support a small team of part time ranch staff
• Help assign daily tasks and make sure work is completed properly and consistently
• Train staff on ranch routines, safety standards, and horse care expectations
• Communicate clearly with staff and help keep the work environment professional and productive
• Lead by example by working side by side with the team

Communication and Boarder Support

• Communicate concerns promptly to ownership
• Help communicate with boarders when appropriate and directed by ownership
• Follow ranch policies and help make sure boarders and staff do the same
• Help maintain a respectful, professional, and low drama ranch environment

Facilities and Inventory

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized barns, stalls, paddocks, pastures, and common areas
• Identify repairs, maintenance needs, fencing issues, water system issues, and safety concerns
• Communicate project and repair needs to ownership and the ranch lead focused on maintenance and improvements
• Help manage feed, bedding, supplies, equipment, and basic ranch inventory
• Assist with scheduling and coordinating farrier, vet, dentist, and other service visits as needed

Qualifications and Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 3 to 5 years of professional experience in an equine facility, stable, or ranch environment preferred
• Strong and confident horse handling skills with horses of different sizes, ages, and temperaments
• Prior leadership, team lead, or supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in a horse boarding environment is a plus

Skills and Attributes

• Reliable, punctual, and consistent
• Calm and steady around horses, staff, and boarders
• Good judgment in emergency or stressful situations
• Strong communication skills
• Able to take direction from ownership while also working independently
• Comfortable giving direction to staff in a clear and respectful way
• Professional with boarders, vendors, staff, and service providers
• Practical, solution oriented, and willing to help wherever needed

Physical and Schedule Requirements

This is an active outdoor ranch position. Applicants must be able to:

• Lift and carry hay, feed bags, water buckets, bedding, and ranch supplies
• Walk, bend, climb, rake, shovel, sweep, and perform repetitive physical tasks
• Work outdoors in heat, cold, wind, rain, and mud
• Safely handle horses of different sizes, ages, and temperaments
• Work a flexible schedule based on horse care needs

Some weekend, holiday, early morning, evening, and emergency availability may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, schedule, and overall fit.

This is a non housing position.

About Emerald Hills Ranch

Emerald Hills Ranch is a horse boarding facility focused on quality care, safety, consistency, and maintaining a peaceful ranch environment. We are looking for someone who takes pride in the work, cares about horses, and understands that reliable daily care is the foundation of a successful boarding ranch.

How to Apply

Please send a brief message outlining your professional horse experience, leadership experience, availability, and why you believe you would be a strong fit for this role.

Pay: $16.90 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• How many years of hands on horse care experience do you have in a professional barn, ranch, stable, or boarding facility setting?
• Have you ever helped lead, train, schedule, or supervise other barn, ranch, or stable staff?
• This role may require early mornings, weekends, holidays, rain day coverage, and occasional emergency availability. Are you able to work a flexible ranch schedule?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $20