Description
Train horses for riding, harness, show, racing, ranch or trail work, and therapeutic or police duties. Accustom horses to human contact and equipment, and condition them to respond to voice, seat, leg, and rein aids. Prepare horses to meet discipline standards and competition rules, start young horses, and resolve problem behaviors. May match mounts to riders and manage daily care.
- • Observe horses' physical condition to detect illness or injury requiring veterinary care.
- • Administer prescribed medications or treatments as directed by a veterinarian.
- • Evaluate horses' temperament, abilities, soundness, and aptitude for specific disciplines.
- • Lunge, long-line, and ride horses to build fitness, balance, and responsiveness.
- • Use voice, leg, seat, rein, and hand aids to teach gaits, transitions, collection, and steering.
- • Train horses for harness, driving, or pulling equipment as required.
- • Start young horses under saddle and introduce tack, rider, and barn routines.
- • Retrain horses to resolve issues such as bucking, rearing, bolting, resisting bridling, or trailer loading.
- • Desensitize horses to environmental stimuli, obstacles, and equipment.
- • Prepare horses and riders for shows, races, sales, or performance tests.
- • Feed, groom, and exercise horses; clean stalls, tack, and training areas.
- • Keep detailed records of training progress, health, diet, shoeing, and behavior.
- • Advise owners on horse selection, care, conditioning, and rider fit.
- • Conduct training sessions, clinics, or lessons to reinforce desired behaviors and rider skills.
- • Handle groundwork, manners, and trailer loading to improve safety and obedience.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
