Description
Handle, train, and care for horses and livestock for ranch, trail, and pack operations. Accustom stock to riders and pack gear, condition them to respond to voice and rein cues, and lead safe trail rides or cattle drives. Monitor health, maintain tack and facilities, and prepare animals for daily work, transport, or events.
- • Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or injury requiring veterinary care.
- • Cue or signal horses during trail rides, roundups, or pack trips.
- • Administer prescribed medications and basic first aid to stock.
- • Evaluate horses for temperament, soundness, and suitability for riding or packing.
- • Feed, water, groom, and exercise animals; clean barns, corrals, and camps.
- • Handle and desensitize horses to riders, pack gear, and ranch activities.
- • Keep records of animal health, work schedules, feed, and behavior.
- • Recommend suitable mounts for guests and advise managers on stock selection.
- • Train saddle and pack horses for trail, ranch, and backcountry work using appropriate methods.
- • Use voice, leg, rein, and hand cues to condition horses to carry riders and pack loads.
- • Train or handle stock dogs to assist with gathering and moving livestock.
- • Retrain horses to correct issues such as balking, bolting, kicking, or cinchiness.
- • Lead and organize trail rides, cattle drives, or pack trips with emphasis on safety.
- • Conduct ongoing training to develop and maintain calm, responsive behaviors for ranch operations.
- • Assess animals regularly for trainability and fitness to perform assigned tasks.
- • Inspect, fit, and maintain saddles, tack, and packing equipment.
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Agriculture
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
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
