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Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Pen Rider

Yuma, CO

Overview: As a Pen Rider, you will be responsible for identifying and applying appropriate ... Knowledge of cattle feedlot industry is highly desirable. * Willingness to work non-traditional ...

HARRIS FEEDING CO

Pen Rider (24928)

Coalinga, CA

$16.90 - $22/hr

The Pen Rider will move, sort, and pull cattle that require treatment throughout the feedlot on horseback.Reports to: Cowboy Assistant Supervisor and Cowboy Supervisor. Duties/Responsibilities:

Simplot

Pen Rider / Vaquero

Burbank, WA · On-site

Summary As a Feedlot Cowboy, you'll play a vital role in caring for our feedlot cattle. Your responsibilities include monitoring livestock health, identifying animals in need of attention, and ...

Simplot Company

Pen Rider / Vaquero

Burbank, WA

$21.52/hr

SummaryAs a Feedlot Cowboy, you'll play a vital role in caring for our feedlot cattle. Your responsibilities include monitoring livestock health, identifying animals in need of attention, and ...

Simplot

Pen Rider / Vaquero

Burbank, WA

Summary As a Feedlot Cowboy, you'll play a vital role in caring for our feedlot cattle. Your responsibilities include monitoring livestock health, identifying animals in need of attention, and ...

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Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider information

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$11

$19

$30

How much do entry level feedlot pen rider jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level feedlot pen rider in the United States is $19.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level feedlot pen rider?

To succeed as an Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider, you need basic horsemanship, cattle handling experience, and an understanding of animal health and welfare, typically gained through hands-on farm work or agricultural courses. Familiarity with livestock management systems, record-keeping tools, and safety protocols is often required. Strong observation skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for identifying animal health issues and coordinating with team members. These abilities help ensure animal well-being, efficient feedlot operations, and compliance with industry standards.

What are the main challenges faced by entry level feedlot pen riders, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level feedlot pen riders often face challenges such as quickly identifying signs of illness in cattle, adapting to fast-paced outdoor work in varying weather conditions, and learning safe livestock handling techniques. To overcome these, new pen riders should focus on building observational skills, seeking mentorship from experienced team members, and prioritizing safety protocols. Regular communication with veterinarians and feedlot managers also helps ensure cattle are well cared for and supports personal growth within the team environment.

What is an entry level feedlot pen rider?

Entry Level Feedlot Pen Riders are agricultural workers responsible for monitoring the health and well-being of livestock in feedlots. Their primary duties include riding horses through cattle pens to identify sick or injured animals, moving cattle between pens, and assisting with treatments as needed. This entry level role usually requires basic horsemanship skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions. Pen Riders play a critical role in ensuring animal welfare and maintaining the overall efficiency of feedlot operations.

What is the difference between Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider vs Entry Level Cattle Ranch Hand?

AspectEntry Level Feedlot Pen RiderEntry Level Cattle Ranch Hand
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic cattle handling skillsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic cattle handling skills
Work EnvironmentFeedlots, confined spaces, close to livestockRanches, open pastures, outdoor settings
Employer & Industry UsageFeedlot operations, beef production facilitiesRanching, cattle farming, livestock management

The Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider and Entry Level Cattle Ranch Hand roles share similar credentials and work environments, focusing on cattle handling and outdoor work. However, Pen Riders typically work in confined feedlot settings, while Ranch Hands operate in open pasture environments. Both roles are essential in beef production, but their daily tasks and work settings differ based on industry segment.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Feedlot Pen Rider jobs?

The most popular types of Feedlot Pen Rider jobs are:

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Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Feedlot Pen Rider job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $41,474 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Pen Rider

Cobalt Cattle Company LLC

Yuma, CO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description


Overview: As a Pen Rider, you will be responsible for identifying and applying appropriate treatment to sick cattle ensuring all livestock is handled in a safe, professional and humane manner.
Location: Eckley, CO
Essential functions
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
  • Review daily agenda for cattle movements.
  • If shipping, perform and verify head counts, retrieve cattle from all applicable pens and move to scales and shipping pens.
  • On horseback, safely ride through pens, inspect cattle and make decisions about pulling animals to be evaluated and treated based off appearance and other signs of illness.
  • Evaluate respiratory observe and recovery pens for re-treatment or movement to home pens.
  • Gather and move strays back to appropriate lots and pens.
  • Notify appropriate personnel regarding dead cattle and repairs or maintenance needed.
  • Maintain physical condition of horse(s) and tack.
  • Ensure compliance with all OSHA/Safety procedures, rules and regulations.
  • Maintain housekeeping of horse barn and tack rooms.
  • Maintain inventory of horse feed.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Competencies
  • Adequate verbal and written communication skills.
  • Adequate mathematical skills: Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide numbers.
  • Adequate horsemanship skills
  • Knowledge of cattle feedlot industry is highly desirable.
  • Willingness to work non-traditional hours as required
  • This individual must have the ability to work with a team, or individually.
  • Ability to communicate in English is preferred, not required.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks when appropriate.
Supervisory responsibilities
  • None 
Work environment
  • You will be required to work at times in extreme weather conditions, such as rain, snow, wind, heat, cold.
  • Ability to work nights on occasions, weekends, and holidays.
Physical demands
  • Ability to sit in a saddle for long periods of time.
  • Ability to work extended hours 10-11 hours per day.
  • This individual must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
  • Individual must be able to push, pull, and twist often on horseback.
  • Pull oneself up on a horse with just one side of their body (one leg and one arm) 3-4 times per day.
  • Must be able to throw a saddle onto a horse (twisting while using force to lift 30-40lb saddle up to eye level)
  • Reaching out away from body to pull 8lb gate rods up at a 56 degree angle while sitting on and holding onto a horse 130 times per days.
  • Must be able to push gate open from horseback using one arm extended out and away from body while controlling the horse 130 times per day.
  • Must be able to perform a higher volume of lifting gate rods and pushing gates open once per week for 3-4 hours when shipping cattle. (Opening 70 more gates on top of the normal 130 opened per day.)
  • When applicable during freezing conditions, must be able to mount and unmount horse to break ice.
Travel required
  •  None 
Required education and experience
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or 1-3 month’s related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Adequate horsemanship skills
Preferred education and experience
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or 1-3 month’s related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience working with and identifying sick cattle in a feedlot setting
  • Adequate horsemanship skills – feedlot setting
Competitive compensation and benefits including:
  • 401K Company Match
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time Off(PTO)
Work authorization/security clearance requirements
Cobalt Cattle Company LLC participates in E-Verify. You must be authorized to work in the United States.
Affirmative Action/EEO statement
Cobalt Cattle Company LLC is an equal opportunity employer
Note: Specific statements in each section of this Job Description are not intended to be an all-inclusive explanation of work to be performed.  They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.  Nothing in this document restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.  Employees are expected to perform any and all duties as assigned to the levels expected by management.  This job requires regular and predictable attendance. The Employee’s signature below is only an acknowledgment of receipt and understanding of the job description and in no way alters the Employee’s “at will” employment, and neither implies nor constitutes a contract of employment for a definite period of time.

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