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Colt Starting Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Bus Operator 35 Hours

Loveland, CO · On-site

$24 - $30.74/hr

The Bus Operator with COLT will operate with a commitment to the One City, One Team approach ... 24) months after your starting date with the City. In such event, you irrevocably authorize ...

Colt Starting information

What is the difference between Colt Starting vs Horse Trainer?

AspectColt StartingHorse Trainer
CredentialsExperience with young horses, basic riding skillsVaries; may include certifications, advanced riding or training certifications
Work EnvironmentHandling and breaking young horses, often in a farm or ranch settingTraining horses of all ages, including problem-solving and performance training
Industry UsageCommonly used in breeding, ranching, and early training stagesBroader, includes all training stages and disciplines

Colt Starting focuses on breaking and training young horses from the ground up, preparing them for riding. Horse Trainers work with horses of all ages, refining skills and addressing specific training needs. While Colt Starting is a specialized subset of horse training, both roles require experience with horses and a strong understanding of equine behavior.

What is colt starting?

Colt starting is the process of training a young horse, typically between two and three years old, to accept basic handling, saddling, and riding for the first time. This process involves gradually introducing the colt to new experiences, teaching it to respond to cues, and ensuring it remains calm and willing throughout training. Colt starting lays the foundation for a horse's future training and helps ensure that the horse becomes safe and reliable for riding or work. Experienced trainers focus on building trust and communication with the young horse, using patience and positive reinforcement.

What are some common challenges faced in a colt starting role, and how can they be managed safely?

Colt starting professionals often encounter challenges such as building trust with young, inexperienced horses, managing unpredictable behavior, and ensuring both horse and handler safety. Effective communication, patience, and consistency are key to overcoming these challenges. Many colt starters work closely with experienced trainers and follow structured training plans to minimize risks, while also using protective gear and safe enclosures. Regular collaboration with veterinarians and farriers is also common to monitor the colt's health and progress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Colt Starter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Colt Starter, you need a solid background in equine behavior, horsemanship, and safe handling techniques, often gained through hands-on experience or formal training in horse management. Familiarity with training tools such as halters, lead ropes, round pens, and sometimes certifications from recognized equine organizations is beneficial. Patience, keen observation, and strong communication skills help build trust with young horses and coordinate effectively with owners or trainers. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring the safety of both horse and handler, promoting a positive foundation for the colt's future development.
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Infographic showing various Colt Starting job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Equine Care Associate and Trainer-Hybrid

Humane Colorado

Franktown, CO • On-site

$22.25 - $23.25/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Description

Purpose of Position: This position is a hybrid equine care and trainer role with shifting responsibilities dependent on needs. Specifically, this role will provide all animals at Harmony Equine Center with proper care and attention including adherence to established feeding, sanitation and medical procedures as well as provide development, training, and behavior correction of equines. Additionally, this position provides adoption counseling and help ensure proper fit of equine and adopter. 


Responsibilities

  • Provide care for all equines including feeding and watering, stocking feed and supply bins, and checking and updating animal feed sheets.
  • Observe animals to ensure proper feeding and report any signs of illness, symptoms requiring medical attention, and behavioral problems. 
  • Accurately and timely update animal records in database.   
  • Maintain a clean and safe environment for the animals, personnel and the public including maintaining fencing, stocking cleaning supplies, washing laundry, and cleaning and sanitizing stalls, equipment/vehicles, barns, and turnouts.  
  • Keep and maintain the property including but not limited to: 

          o General landscaping, mowing, trimming, weed control

          o Snow removal

          o Maintaining roads, pens, and pastures

          o Snow removal

          o Maintaining roads, pens, and pastures

  • Maintain cleaning and care of facility equipment and vehicles to ensure proper functioning and safety, reporting any damaged equipment or repair needs. 
  • Support adoptions through interviewing potential walk-in adopters; providing basic medical and other information to help adopters make good choices; completing accurate adoption paperwork; receiving adoption fees and providing receipts; and recording transactions and reconciling monies for daily deposits. 
  • Answer and route incoming calls; answer questions about the equine center, adoptions, Humane Colorado services, and other general information; record and relay messages to appropriate staff. 
  • Assist with receipt of equines and entering animals into the database.  
  • Assist humane agents, law enforcement officers, and patrons.
  • Work with farrier on trimming and shoeing. 
  • Work with veterinarians on medical evaluations, treatments, and assist with euthanasia if needed. 
  • Develop, implement and provide specific training for equines including general, ground, and under saddle work. 
  • Perform behavior and health evaluations to determine the path of an equine.
  • Support adoptions by preparing horses from intake through the adoption process, maintaining equine records, and working with potential adopters. 
  • Train volunteers on Horsemanship and assist staff on general equine care. 
  • Contribute to and support initiatives to improve processes and procedures. 
  • Act as a resource for volunteers by answering questions, addressing concerns, and providing training and direction. 

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional, and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.


Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.


Organizational Key Competencies

  • Job Knowledge 
  • Productivity / Efficiency 
  • Quality / Excellence 
  • Adapting to Change 
  • Dependability and Integrity 
  • People Care 

Position Core Competencies

  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking
  • Initiative
  • Time Management 
  •  Team Player 

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

  • Volunteers

Travel

  • This position may require driving a company vehicle
  • This position may require travel to different work sites

Shift Details: Five 8 hour shifts 


Full-Time Benefits - Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

  • Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
  • 401(k) with matching
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Sick Time
  • Sabbatical
  • Holiday Pay
  • Employee discounts
  • Discounted Pet Insurance
  • and more!

Compensation:  Starting at $22.25-23.25 per hour (Starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Requirements

Position Qualifications 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Expertise in Horsemanship
  • High level riding skills
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Colt starting ability

Required

  • Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent 
  • Work Experience: Two years of experience training equines including experience as a trainer or related position in an equine program (boarding, training, or care facility) 

Desired

  • Experience dealing with difficult, dangerous, or unhandled equines 
  • Experience with restraining equines
  • Valid driver's license and insurable driving record 

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in a horse boarding/barn and outdoor setting. Potentially subject to animal bites, scratches, kicks, and unpredictable dangerous situations. Frequent lifting, pushing, and dragging up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodation. Frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, movement, and repetitive motion. Working outside in weather extremes, both heat and cold. 


Posting will remain open until filled, with a minimum posting period of 5 days.