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Career Opportunity

Horse Handler and Groomer

Role

Full-time Horse Handler and Groomer

Location

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
4250 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY, US

Description

Jobs Job Apply

Horse Handler and Groomer

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking Horse Handler and Groomers to join their team!

Job Title: Surgery Barn Horse Handler/Barn Crew Member 
FLSA Status: Non‐Exempt 
Department: Surgery 
Schedule: Varies; overtime as needed 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:  

  • Hold/restrain horses for pre-operative and post-operative examinations, x-rays, bone scans and treatments.
  • Assist with induction and recovery of patients in preparation for and following surgery.
  • Assist other personnel i.e., technicians as needed with patient handling.
  • Groom patients as needed and all horses prior to being discharged.
  • Assist with euthanasia of patient.
  • Maintain appropriate stock of feed, hay and straw. Clean all stalls daily.
  • Remove debris/straw from stall ledges.
  • Keep shed rows swept and clear of debris.
  • Remove straw, garbage and all other debris from around barns and parking lot.
  • Rake gravel areas around barns.
  • Keep hay shed tidy by removing straw, garbage and debris, broken bales, loose twine and cobwebs.
  • Clean and re-stock feed rooms, keeping forks, rakes and brooms organized.
  • Follow disinfecting and all other infectious disease procedures as defined by the Hagyard Infectious Disease Protocol.
  • Assist with Cleaning and re-bedding stalls.
  • Keep shed rows swept and clear of debris.
  • Assist with Trailer Loading and unloading of patients.  Other projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Ability to lift 75 -100 lbs.
  • Ability to restrain up to 1,200 lbs.
  • Equine experience
  • Excellent communicator

Language Ability

Ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is:

  • frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
  • occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non‐weather);
  • works near moving mechanical parts;
  • occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is 

  • regularly required to stand; walk
  • regularly required to use hands and fingers, to handle or feel
  • frequently required to reach with hands and arms
  • occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
  • regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds
  • frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
  • occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds

Specific vision abilities required by this job include 

  • Close vision
  • Distance vision
  • Peripheral vision
  • Depth perception
  • Ability to adjust focus
Pay Range
$15.87$16.50 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

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