Pen Rider
Ensure the health and welfare of livestock
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
-
Job opportunities
-
Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
-
Typical salary
Job growth
-
5-year projection
Job satisfaction
-
On this page
- What's it like to be a Pen Rider?
- How to become a Pen Rider
- Pen Rider courses
- Latest Pen Rider jobs
- Top skills and experience for Pen Riders
What's it like to be a Pen Rider?
Pen Riders are responsible for the health and welfare of livestock such as cattle. They look for any signs of injury or illness in the animals while riding (on a horse) through pens or feedlots.
Tasks and duties
- Receiving, drafting, processing and moving animals on a daily basis to ensure their safety and welfare.
- Identifying any distressed, injured or unwell animals and communicating this to colleagues and managers and keeping accurate records of livestock.
- Supporting veterinarians and helping to administer vet treatments for optimum animal health.
Pen Riders need to be confident and capable horse riders who are dedicated to safety and animal welfare. They often work in large rural feedlots based outside of metropolitan areas and because of the location, they may work shifts (such as 10 days on, 4 days off). Individuals who enjoy working outdoors with animals, have strong teamwork skills and an understanding of low stress stock handling techniques are well suited to becoming Pen Riders.
How to become a Pen Rider
Formal qualifications are usually not required to become a Pen Rider, as on-the-job training is usually provided. However, you will need strong horsemanship skills and you may need to have your own (Hendra vaccinated) horses that are suitable for feedlot work.
- Gain experience with horses and livestock before applying for a job as a Pen Rider. You may wish to undertake a Certificate III in Feedlot Operations (AHC33316).
- Ensure you have access at least one suitable horse and your own tack/saddlery. It’s likely that you’ll also need a current driver’s licence.
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Latest Pen Rider jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Pen Rider employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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