Barn and Equine Herd Manager

A Barn Manager at a therapeutic horsemanship center is a highly specialized role responsible for overseeing the comprehensive care of the herd, supervising barn staff and volunteers, and ensuring the facility meets strict safety and industry standards. Because therapeutic horsemanship riding horses require excellent physical soundness, specific conditioning, and calm temperaments, this role directly impacts the safety and success of the participants.

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Job Title: Barn & Equine Herd Manager

Position Type: Full-Time (Exempt/Non-Exempt)
Reports To: Executive Director / Operations Director

Job Purpose

To manage all aspects of the barn, facility, and equine resources to ensure an optimum, safe, and therapeutic environment. The Barn Manager ensures that the unique physical and emotional needs of therapy horses are met daily so they can successfully support children and adults with special needs.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Equine Care & Health Management

• Daily Herd Oversight: Monitor the health, soundness, and behavior of all horses daily before they enter programming.
• Nutrition Plans: Develop, document, and execute customized dietary and supplementation schedules for each horse.
• Medical Treatments: Works with the Vet to administer medications, wraps, first aid, and vaccines; maintain detailed medical logs.

· Provider Coordination: Schedule and handle routine and emergency visits with veterinarians, farriers, equine dentists, and therapists.

· Biosecurity Protocol: Establish and enforce strict quarantine and disease prevention measures for new or sick animals.

2. Horse Conditioning & Training

• Schooling & Exercise: Coordinate and execute regular groundwork, lunging, and undersaddle schooling to keep therapy horses fit and balanced.
• Tack Fit Management: Routinely evaluate and assign specialized, well-fitting tack and adaptive equipment for each horse-rider combination.
• Herd Acquisition & Retirement: Assist the animal care team in screening, trial-testing, and training potential new therapy horses, as well as managing the retirement/rehoming process.

3. Facility & Operations Management

• Barn Cleanliness: Supervise and assist with daily mucking, turnout schedules, stall maintenance, and aisleway safety.
• Infrastructure Upkeep: Inspect and perform basic repairs on fences, run-in shelters, paddocks, waterers, and arenas.
• Inventory Control: Track, order, and stock feed, hay, bedding, medical supplies, and barn tools within budget guidelines.
• Regulatory Postings: Maintain up-to-date documentation regarding state equine liability laws, safety compliance, and emergency numbers.

4. Team Leadership & Volunteer Coordination

• Staff Management: Hire, train, schedule, and evaluate barn hands, assistants, and interns.
• Volunteer Training: Lead educational orientations for horse-care volunteers, ensuring safe horse handling practices across the facility.
• Internal Communication: Liaise with Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs) to determine appropriate horse usage limits for lessons.

Required Skills & Physical Demands

• Equine Expertise: Advanced knowledge of equine health, anatomy, behavior, and low-stress handling techniques.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs regularly, walk long distances on uneven terrain, and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Machinery Operation: Ability to safely operate farm equipment (e.g., tractors, arenas drags, trucks, and trailers) is highly preferred.
• Organization & Tech: Experience with digital record-keeping software (e.g., Salesforce, Excel, or equine management apps) to track horse health and supply inventory.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, Animal Science, or equivalent professional stable management experience.

· Experience: 3–5 years of professional barn management or senior herd management experience.

· Industry Alignment: Prior experience working within a PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Premier Accredited Center is highly desirable.

· Certifications:

· Current First Aid / CPR certification (Required)

· PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) credential (Preferred, or willingness to obtain).

· Clear criminal background check and child abuse clearance history.

Pay: $35,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $35,000 - $40,000