Position: Barn Lead
Job Description
The Barn Lead at LifeStriders is responsible for managing daily barn operations, performing daily horse care, and ensuring a safe working environment for both horses and people. This role involves supervising volunteers and contractors, coordinating with the Herd Manager to fulfill changing herd needs, communicating with the Field Operations Manager to maintain barn facilities, and collaborating with team members to support therapeutic sessions and equine health. The Barn Lead reports to the Director of Operations, with day-to-day equine care direction provided in collaboration with the Herd Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
● Carry out daily care for all horses including feeding, administering medications, cleaning
stalls, filling water buckets and outdoor waterers, and filling hay feeders/nets
● Monitor and manage horses’ general health and provide first aid, medications, or other
treatments as needed as directed by Herd Manager
● Supervise volunteers and contractors, delegating appropriate responsibilities and
providing education or training as needed
● Check girths and adjust stirrups for clients in Therapeutic Riding sessions
● Ensure horses are brought in, groomed, saddled, and ready for class at least 15 minutes
before therapeutic session start times
● Communicate any concerns, questions, or horse needs to the Herd Manager
● Assist Herd Manager and Field Operations Manager in managing manure and
maintaining paddock cleanliness, recruiting volunteers as appropriate
● Communicate equine, barn, and volunteer updates or changes to other team members,
addressing and resolving concerns in a timely manner
● Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of the barn, including stalls, paddocks,
tack rooms, feed areas, aisleways, waterers, and storage spaces.
● Communicate facility needs or concerns to Field Operations Manager
● Follow weather related guidelines to maintain horse health in rain, cold temperatures,
hot temperatures, and severe weather
● Ensure horses are turned out in proper locations including paddocks and pastures to
ensure health and safety for horses and people
● Communicate with Herd Manager regarding the need for equine-related supplies, such
as but not limited to hay, shavings, grain, supplements, and medications
● Lead barn volunteer groups as assigned by Volunteer Coordinators
● Maintain cleanliness of feed pans, feed bags, water buckets, and outdoor waterers
● Prepare horses for farrier and veterinary appointments as scheduled by the Herd
Manager
● Attend and assist with organizational events
● Assist in basic record-keeping related to horse care
● Attend job and organization-related training including the LifeStriders Equine Skills
Development Program within one (1) month of hire
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Schedule
This is a part-time position generally scheduled for approximately 30 hours per week.
Hours may vary occasionally based on staffing needs, including coverage for vacations,
absences, or special events. This role participates in a shared schedule with other barn
staff to ensure horse care and barn operations are maintained 365 days a year,
including evenings, weekends, holidays, and in varying weather conditions. The Barn
Lead will participate in a weekend and holiday rotation in addition to regular weekly
shifts.
Minimum Job Requirements
● High School Diploma or GED
● At least 3 years of experience directly related to equine care
● At least 1 year of experience in a leadership role
● Experience working with people of various backgrounds, abilities, and ages
● CPR and First Aid certification preferred
● Experience operating various maintenance equipment (tractor, UTV, harrow, arena drag)
preferred
● Access to reliable transportation.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
● Strong knowledge of equine husbandry including feeding, cleaning stalls, maintaining
clean and functional waterers, and general health monitoring
● Knowledge of common equine emergencies (colic, choke, wounds, eye injuries,
lameness)
● Skill in preparing and administering equine medications including via oral syringe
● Skill in basic equine first aid (wrapping/dressing wounds, applying a poultice,
administering eye ointment, applying standing wraps, taking vital signs, etc)
● Ability to safely handle a variety of horses with a number of different temperaments
● Skilled in grooming, hoof picking, and tacking horses
● Strong attention to detail to ensure the health and safety of our herd when providing care
● Skill in managing time, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines
● Ability to supervise, delegate, and train volunteers and contractors effectively
● Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with team members, volunteers, contractors,
and clients
● Ability to be flexible, multitask, and stay calm under pressure to adapt to changing
priorities and unexpected situations
● Completion of LifeStriders’ LEAP (LifeStriders Equine Assisted Practitioner) certification
is required for this role. Candidates not currently LEAP certified will be expected to
successfully complete the certification process as part of onboarding and training.
LifeStriders provides training and support to achieve LEAP certification. Certification to
be completed within 6 months of hire.
● Commitment to supporting the mission of LifeStriders through compassionate, high-
quality equine care, stewardship of the barn environment, and fostering a safe,
welcoming community where horses and people can thrive together.
● Ability to use Google Workspace and other digital communication tools to support daily
operations, including email communication, scheduling, accessing shared documents,
and maintaining basic records related to horse care, barn operations, and team
communication.
Physical Demands / Work Environment
● Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly
● Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, push, and pull for extended periods
● Ability to work indoors and outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions including
heat, cold, rain, snow, and mud
● Frequent exposure to hay, dust, barn allergens, and animal-related environments
● Ability to safely work around horses of varying sizes and temperaments
The Barn Lead at LifeStriders is responsible for managing daily barn operations, performing daily horse care, and ensuring a safe working environment for both horses and people. This role involves supervising volunteers and contractors, coordinating with the Herd Manager to fulfill changing herd needs, communicating with the Field Operations Manager to maintain barn facilities, and collaborating with team members to support therapeutic sessions and equine health. The Barn Lead reports to the Director of Operations, with day-to-day equine care direction provided in collaboration with the Herd Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
● Carry out daily care for all horses including feeding, administering medications, cleaning
stalls, filling water buckets and outdoor waterers, and filling hay feeders/nets
● Monitor and manage horses’ general health and provide first aid, medications, or other
treatments as needed as directed by Herd Manager
● Supervise volunteers and contractors, delegating appropriate responsibilities and
providing education or training as needed
● Check girths and adjust stirrups for clients in Therapeutic Riding sessions
● Ensure horses are brought in, groomed, saddled, and ready for class at least 15 minutes
before therapeutic session start times
● Communicate any concerns, questions, or horse needs to the Herd Manager
● Assist Herd Manager and Field Operations Manager in managing manure and
maintaining paddock cleanliness, recruiting volunteers as appropriate
● Communicate equine, barn, and volunteer updates or changes to other team members,
addressing and resolving concerns in a timely manner
● Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of the barn, including stalls, paddocks,
tack rooms, feed areas, aisleways, waterers, and storage spaces.
● Communicate facility needs or concerns to Field Operations Manager
● Follow weather related guidelines to maintain horse health in rain, cold temperatures,
hot temperatures, and severe weather
● Ensure horses are turned out in proper locations including paddocks and pastures to
ensure health and safety for horses and people
● Communicate with Herd Manager regarding the need for equine-related supplies, such
as but not limited to hay, shavings, grain, supplements, and medications
● Lead barn volunteer groups as assigned by Volunteer Coordinators
● Maintain cleanliness of feed pans, feed bags, water buckets, and outdoor waterers
● Prepare horses for farrier and veterinary appointments as scheduled by the Herd
Manager
● Attend and assist with organizational events
● Assist in basic record-keeping related to horse care
● Attend job and organization-related training including the LifeStriders Equine Skills
Development Program within one (1) month of hire
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Schedule
This is a part-time position generally scheduled for approximately 30 hours per week.
Hours may vary occasionally based on staffing needs, including coverage for vacations,
absences, or special events. This role participates in a shared schedule with other barn
staff to ensure horse care and barn operations are maintained 365 days a year,
including evenings, weekends, holidays, and in varying weather conditions. The Barn
Lead will participate in a weekend and holiday rotation in addition to regular weekly
shifts.
Minimum Job Requirements
● High School Diploma or GED
● At least 3 years of experience directly related to equine care
● At least 1 year of experience in a leadership role
● Experience working with people of various backgrounds, abilities, and ages
● CPR and First Aid certification preferred
● Experience operating various maintenance equipment (tractor, UTV, harrow, arena drag)
preferred
● Access to reliable transportation.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
● Strong knowledge of equine husbandry including feeding, cleaning stalls, maintaining
clean and functional waterers, and general health monitoring
● Knowledge of common equine emergencies (colic, choke, wounds, eye injuries,
lameness)
● Skill in preparing and administering equine medications including via oral syringe
● Skill in basic equine first aid (wrapping/dressing wounds, applying a poultice,
administering eye ointment, applying standing wraps, taking vital signs, etc)
● Ability to safely handle a variety of horses with a number of different temperaments
● Skilled in grooming, hoof picking, and tacking horses
● Strong attention to detail to ensure the health and safety of our herd when providing care
● Skill in managing time, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines
● Ability to supervise, delegate, and train volunteers and contractors effectively
● Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with team members, volunteers, contractors,
and clients
● Ability to be flexible, multitask, and stay calm under pressure to adapt to changing
priorities and unexpected situations
● Completion of LifeStriders’ LEAP (LifeStriders Equine Assisted Practitioner) certification
is required for this role. Candidates not currently LEAP certified will be expected to
successfully complete the certification process as part of onboarding and training.
LifeStriders provides training and support to achieve LEAP certification. Certification to
be completed within 6 months of hire.
● Commitment to supporting the mission of LifeStriders through compassionate, high-
quality equine care, stewardship of the barn environment, and fostering a safe,
welcoming community where horses and people can thrive together.
● Ability to use Google Workspace and other digital communication tools to support daily
operations, including email communication, scheduling, accessing shared documents,
and maintaining basic records related to horse care, barn operations, and team
communication.
Physical Demands / Work Environment
● Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly
● Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, push, and pull for extended periods
● Ability to work indoors and outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions including
heat, cold, rain, snow, and mud
● Frequent exposure to hay, dust, barn allergens, and animal-related environments
● Ability to safely work around horses of varying sizes and temperaments
About LifeStriders
LifeStriders is a premier provider of equine-assisted therapies and therapeutic riding programs dedicated to enhancing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our clients. Through the healing power of horses, we create opportunities for growth, independence, and connection for children and adults of all abilities. At LifeStriders, we value collaboration, innovation, and the unique strengths every individual brings to our community. Our team is passionate about creating meaningful change through therapeutic relationships, compassionate care, and innovative programming in an inclusive and
supportive environment.
Ready to Apply?
Please submit your resume and cover letter below. Applications are
reviewed on a rolling basis. LifeStriders is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Accommodations are available upon request.
LifeStriders is a premier provider of equine-assisted therapies and therapeutic riding programs dedicated to enhancing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our clients. Through the healing power of horses, we create opportunities for growth, independence, and connection for children and adults of all abilities. At LifeStriders, we value collaboration, innovation, and the unique strengths every individual brings to our community. Our team is passionate about creating meaningful change through therapeutic relationships, compassionate care, and innovative programming in an inclusive and
supportive environment.
Ready to Apply?
Please submit your resume and cover letter below. Applications are
reviewed on a rolling basis. LifeStriders is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Accommodations are available upon request.
