Demo

Horse Handler

PetVet Care Centers
Lexington, KY Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/13/2026
PetVet Care Centers' Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking a Horse Handler to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

  • Local autonomy with national support
  • Career mobility and development opportunities
  • A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

  • The Horse Handler assists the patient with all aspects of medical care and barn tech duties.

Key Responsibilities

  • Admit patients
  • Help keep barn and surgery area clean
  • Hold horses for procedures
  • Scrub clean and rinse and help bandage wounds
  • Plus barn tech duties
  • Monitoring bandaging
  • Take patients outside when needed
  • Feed patients as needed
  • Communicate with Practice Manager, doctors
  • Restrain patients as needed
  • Model professionalism and ethical practices
  • Promote cooperative working environment among staff members; understand the value of teamwork; show enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the practice function as a unit
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions
  • Promotes continuous quality improvement
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications (Required)

  • Demonstrated advanced understanding of equine veterinary practices
  • Equine handling experience is required
  • Ability to read horse body language and perform advanced handling of horses and foals
  • Self-motivated lifelong learner
  • Works well independently and as part of a team
  • Feel and express a genuine liking for animals and for working in an animal-care environment.
  • Work under the broad general administrative supervision of the owners and doctors, and use sound personal judgment in selecting methods, establishing priorities, and arriving at conclusions
  • May be required to work uncommon hours, overtime, and be subject to recall in emergency situations
  • Be flexible in attitude and work habits
  • Lift and carry up to 25 pounds

Schedule

  • Day Shift, schedule is based on hospital needs
  • Weekend availability may be needed

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
  • 401(k) with discretionary contribution
  • Team Member Pet Discounts
  • Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
  • CE stipends and career development resources
  • Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
  • Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$16—$16 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700 veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.  Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

Salary : $16

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at PetVet Care Centers

  • PetVet Care Centers Wichita, KS
  • PetVet Care Centers' Equine Surgery & Medicine is currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join their team! Reports To: Hospital Manager Delegation of A... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • PetVet Care Centers Clackamas, OR
  • At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all t... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • PetVet Care Centers Greensboro, NC
  • PetVet Care Centers' Friendly Animal Clinic is currently seeking Veterinary Technicians/Veterinary Assistants to join their team! At PetVet Care Centers, o... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • PetVet Care Centers Cincinnati, OH
  • PetVet Care Centers' Eastgate Animal Hospital is currently seeking a CSR / Receptionist (Part-time) to join their team! At PetVet Care Centers, our mission... more
  • 9 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Horse Handler jobs in the Lexington, KY area that may be a better fit.

  • Hinkle Farms Paris, KY
  • Attend to live horses: feeding, watering, loading, maintain records on horses, assist in birthing, administer meds, vaccinations, or insecticides as approp... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • PetVet Care Centers Lexington, KY
  • Job Title : Sport Horse Technician - WEC OHIO FLSA Status : Non-Exempt Department : Sport Horse Skills/Responsibilities Required: The primary role and duti... more
  • 12 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!