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Horse Ranch Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

Horse Ranch information

See Nebraska salary details

$9

$16

$23

How much do horse ranch jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for horse ranch in Nebraska is $16.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.75 and $18.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced when working on a horse ranch, and how can I prepare for them?

Working on a horse ranch often requires adapting to physically demanding tasks, variable weather conditions, and long or irregular hours, especially during peak seasons. You'll frequently be responsible for feeding, grooming, exercising horses, and maintaining facilities, all of which require attention to detail and safety. Developing strong communication skills will help you collaborate effectively with other ranch staff, veterinarians, and trainers. To prepare, consider building physical endurance, learning basic equine care, and gaining hands-on experience through volunteering or internships to better understand the work environment.

What Are Different Types of Jobs at a Horse Ranch?

Jobs at a horse ranch focus on maintenance, operations, and care for horses. The duties of ranchers or managers involve overseeing operations. A groom works to care for the resident horses, while a trainer works to train the horses for riding, racing, equestrian events, or to maintain general health and fitness. Stable workers or ranch hands clean the barn, help care for horses, and perform miscellaneous tasks. Boarding facilities may have sales or marketing staff. A large ranch may also employ a breeder and veterinarian.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Horse Ranch Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Horse Ranch Worker, you need hands-on experience with horse care, knowledge of animal husbandry, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with ranch equipment, basic veterinary tools, and sometimes certifications in equine management or first aid are valuable. Strong communication, physical stamina, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for animal welfare set outstanding workers apart. These skills are essential for ensuring the health and safety of the horses and the smooth, efficient operation of the ranch.

What is a horse ranch?

A horse ranch is a property or facility dedicated to the breeding, raising, training, and sometimes boarding of horses. Horse ranches can vary in size and may specialize in different activities such as horse breeding, riding lessons, trail rides, or training for competitions. Staff at a horse ranch typically care for the horses' daily needs, maintain facilities, and manage ranch operations. Horse ranches are often located in rural areas and may also host events or offer recreational programs for visitors.

What is the difference between Horse Ranch vs Horse Trainer?

AspectHorse RanchHorse Trainer
Required CredentialsExperience with horse care, sometimes certifications in equine managementEquine training certifications, riding experience
Work EnvironmentRanches, farms, outdoor settingsTraining facilities, stables, outdoor arenas
Employer & Industry UsageEquine farms, ranches, breeding operationsTraining centers, riding schools, equine facilities

While both roles involve working with horses, a Horse Ranch focuses on overall horse care, management, and farm operations, whereas a Horse Trainer specializes in training horses for riding, competitions, or specific disciplines. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and specialization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska? The most popular types of Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska are:
What are popular job titles related to Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska? For Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska look for? The top searched job categories for Horse Ranch jobs in Nebraska are:
What cities in Nebraska are hiring for Horse Ranch jobs? Cities in Nebraska with the most Horse Ranch job openings:
Infographic showing various Horse Ranch job openings in Nebraska as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,489 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

Loadout (Horseback) - $2,000 Hiring Bonus

Adams Land & Cattle, LLC

Broken Bow, NE โ€ข On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Our Loadout team has a horseback opportunity with the responsibilities of movement, verification and shipment of cattle. When Bill Adams and our employees designed our loadout facility in Broken Bow, Nebraska, they built it with a focus on technology, efficiency and animal welfare. Prior to our cattle leaving the lot, each animal is electronically verified to make sure they are ready to go to the packing plant. Our Loadout team works in this state of the art facility and we're looking for a self-motivated individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. The schedule is Monday-Friday, with no weekends required.
This person will be responsible for:
  • Movement of cattle within the feedyard.
  • Shipping outgoing cattle, through movement, counting, and verifying of cattle, as well as communicating with trucker.
  • Assisting with the unloading and movement of incoming cattle.
  • Assisting with the flow of cattle to and from the processing/sorting facility.
  • Gathering loose cattle and taking them to their appropriate pens.
  • Assisting supervisor with loadout schedule, shipping order, and verify program.
  • Rotating the on-call responsibilities for unloading incoming cattle on the weekends.
  • Checking water tanks to ensure they are functional.
  • Ensuring general care for your horses (i.e. shoeing, vaccinations, feeding).
  • Maintaining and cleaning your area (i.e. tack, run, water tanks, hay feeders) within the facility, including break room.
  • Reporting maintenance issues to supervisor or maintenance team.
  • Operating skidsteer or loader for cleaning of facilities; operating light wagon and ATV for movement of cattle.
  • Performing preventative maintenance on light wagon and truck.
  • Assisting other areas of cattle production, as needed and as schedule allows.
  • Staying current with all required trainings and SOP's.
  • Meeting punctuality expectations by arriving and leaving barn at assigned times.
  • Attending shift startup meetings, daily as scheduled.

Skills and qualifications:
  • Cattle handling/movement knowledge and experience.
  • Intermediate to advanced horsemanship skills
  • Knowledge of sick or injured cattle, including basic animal health diagnosis.
  • Beef Quality Assurance experience.
  • Commitment to safety and quality culture.
  • Individual must be team-oriented.
  • Punctual
  • High attention to detail.
  • Effective verbal communication skills.
  • Feedlot, sale barn, and/or ranch experience is preferred.

This position requires:
  • Individual must provide, shoe, and maintain three (3) head of horses and pass Adams pre-employment horse evaluation.
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Individual must be able to work in adverse weather conditions.
  • Individual must be able to work holidays, extended hours, and weekends as needed.
  • Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally; 25-50 lbs. of force frequently; 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly. Standing and sitting frequently; occasionally walking, carrying, and lifting/lowering; frequently pushing/pulling, bending, twisting, and reaching/handling/grasping; rarely kneeling/crouching, climbing, crawling, and stairs

Compensation Details:
  • Starting Wage: $21.00-25.00 per hour
  • $2,000 Hiring Bonus
  • $550 per month horse pay for ongoing expenses + free grain and hay + $1,500 horse reimbursement every other year
  • Comprehensive Benefits which begin on Day 1 of employment including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, bonus plan, company match 401(k), and more!

About Us:
Located in Broken Bow, Nebraska, Adams Land & Cattle (ALCC) began in 1945 as a small dairy farm on 300 acres east of Broken Bow. Today, ALCC remains family-owned, but has grown into a multi-location operation with finishing lots in Nebraska and more than one-hundred backgrounding locations throughout the US and Canada. Recognized as one of the premier cattle feeding operations in the world, ALCC is a distinguished and innovative leader in agribusiness, providing consistent and quality beef while utilizing best practices to ensure food safety, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. Visit our website to learn more!