Rider in Lexington, Kentucky at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program Inc

RIDER at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

719 Dolan Ln, Lexington, KY 40511

SUMMARY
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is seeking candidates for part-time Riders at our Lexington, KY facility. Riders report to the Kentucky Facility Trainer and are responsible for daily riding, conditioning, and training to prepare each horse for a successful transition into second careers and adoptive homes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Performs duties related to the care of 60+ horses including, but not limited to, the following:

• Ride or exercise assigned horses according to New Vocations’ retraining program and individual horse needs
• Assess horses’ abilities, temperament, and progress to help determine suitable post-racing careers
• Work collaboratively with trainers, barn staff and management to ensure consistent care and training approaches
• Maintain accurate training notes and progress updates in the program database
• Assist in evaluating new arrivals and developing individualized retraining plans
• Handle horses safely on the ground, including leading, grooming, tacking, bathing and assisting with veterinary or farrier appointments as needed
• Participate in photo/video sessions and adoption appointments
• Communicate observations about each horses’ health, soundness, or behavioral changes promptly to management
• Support facility operations and team needs as assigned (e.g., turnout, feeding or general barn tasks when needed)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Candidates must be able to lift up to 50 pounds for moving hay, grain, shavings, etc. and ride multiple horses per day.

WORK ENVIRONMENT While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment can be very loud.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3 years of riding experience with green horses, preferably including off-track Thoroughbreds
• Strong understanding of flatwork, basic dressage, and/or jumping principles
• Ability to handle a variety of equine temperaments confidently and safely
• Commitment to humane, patient and ethical horsemanship
• Physical ability to ride multiple horses daily and perform related barn duties that involve lifting up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required
• Team-oriented attitude and effective communication skills

Preferred:

• Experience retraining off-track racehorses or working in a professional training environment
• Familiarity with adoption or equine rescue organizations
• Basic knowledge of soundness evaluation, conditioning and equine nutrition