Stable Assistant Job Description: JOB SUMMARY: Perform all tasks relative to care for horses stabled at Mount Holyoke College and to take care of general maintenance of the facility and equipment while providing a welcome atmosphere to new students, boarders, prospective students, and the community. The hours/days for this shift vary during the year. DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES: Providing hay and clean water to horses Feeding horses according to grain cards and making sure horses are consistently getting any supplements which are assigned. This entails reminder notes to boarders or advising the stable manager if and when their supplements run low. Turning out horses and rotating turn out regimes Cleaning 12-13 stalls daily. Infrequently there may be a need to do several more than this as needed. Stable management will make every effort to minimize these occurrences General pick-up, sweeping, and neatening of stable. Examples: Cobwebbing Cleaning drains Cleaning Wash Stalls Changing trash bags Opening Hay Others as assigned Moving hay, grain, etc. Daily tasks such as cleaning outside tubs, mucking paddocks, racking up hay, leaves, etc. Regular facility maintenance projects and some seasonal/special projects as assigned. Examples: Dragging Arenas Raking outside areas Moving jumps Cleaning/dusting knee-walls in indoor arena\'s Readying paddocks for overnight turn out Preparing for boarders return Others as assigned Each stable assistant will be assigned a group of school horses whose care and maintenance they are responsible for. This will include some basic first aid as needed after a consultation with the Stable Manager or Director. Should first aid training be necessary in any respect, it will be provided. Each person will be expected to know the following: Horse\'s normal temperature Any normal lumps, bumps and swellings Any normal behaviors Ordinary drinking behavior Horse\'s turn out preferences QUALIFICATIONS: Previous horse handling, husbandry, and general farm experience is a must. Must be able to work both independently as well as on a team. Experience operating farm machinery is a plus but not required. Some minimal computer knowledge, and general understanding of horse rehabilitation care or the ability to learn both is required. No riding experience or riding is required for this job although lunging knowledge is an added bonus for the hire. We are looking for longevity in the hire so the desired hire will be long term. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum of 5 years experience in a professional equine facility of at least 30 stalls is preferred. Experience with Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and various breeds involved in jumping and/or dressage is also preferred but not required. Additional preference to candidates that have experience in a school horse/lesson environment. A level headed approach to horsemanship is required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Must be able to work on your feet for the tenure of the duty day (8 hours), the ability to lift a 55lb hay bale overhead, must be able to squat and lift a fully loaded 10yard wheel barrow and push it up an incline to be dumped. This job requires the hire to work in all types of weather to include snow and rain conditions, varying temperature conditions (occasionally in extremes consistent with current New England weather), uneven terrain as well as non-improved surfaces. Known equestrian hazards of working with large animals in differing environments, temperaments, and tight quarters are part of this job. Sometimes moving quickly, while maintaining balance is necessary.