1

Internship Feedlot Pen Rider Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

Internship Feedlot Pen Rider information

What is an internship feedlot pen rider?

Internship Feedlot Pen Riders are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work temporarily at cattle feedlots to gain hands-on experience in animal care and management. Their primary responsibilities include riding through cattle pens on horseback, checking the health of animals, identifying sick or injured cattle, and assisting with treatments and record-keeping. This role is an entry-level position designed to develop skills in livestock handling, animal health assessment, and feedlot operations. Interns work closely with experienced pen riders and feedlot managers to learn industry best practices and prepare for future careers in animal agriculture.

What are the typical responsibilities and daily routines of an internship feedlot pen rider?

As an Internship Feedlot Pen Rider, your primary responsibilities include riding through cattle pens to monitor animal health, identifying sick or injured livestock, and ensuring they receive prompt treatment. You'll also assist with sorting, moving, and processing cattle, as well as maintaining accurate records of observations and treatments. The role involves working closely with experienced pen riders, veterinarians, and feedlot managers, providing you with hands-on learning opportunities in animal husbandry and feedlot operations. Daily routines typically start early and require strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and effective communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship feedlot pen rider, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Feedlot Pen Rider, you need a foundational knowledge of cattle behavior, livestock handling, and basic animal health, often supported by coursework or experience in animal science or agriculture. Familiarity with riding and handling horses, using feedlot management software, and understanding animal health protocols are typically required. Strong observation skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for identifying health issues early and working with a team. These skills ensure animal well-being, operational efficiency, and a safe feedlot environment.

What is the difference between Internship Feedlot Pen Rider vs Feedlot Worker?

AspectInternship Feedlot Pen RiderFeedlot Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some experience in livestock handlingHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience varies
Work EnvironmentOutdoor feedlot pens, physically demanding, seasonalOutdoor feedlot, physically demanding, seasonal
Job DutiesAssisting with cattle movement, basic animal care, learning feedlot operationsFeeding, herding, and caring for cattle, maintaining pens

Internship Feedlot Pen Riders typically focus on learning feedlot operations and assisting with cattle handling under supervision, often as part of a training program. Feedlot Workers perform routine tasks like feeding and herding cattle independently. Both roles require physical stamina and outdoor work, but internships emphasize training and skill development.

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

The most popular types of Feedlot Pen Rider jobs in Kansas are:

What are popular job titles related to Internship Feedlot Pen Rider jobs in Kansas?

For Internship Feedlot Pen Rider jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Feedlot Pen Rider jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Feedlot Pen Rider jobs in Kansas are:

What cities in Kansas are hiring for Internship Feedlot Pen Rider jobs?

Cities in Kansas with the most Internship Feedlot Pen Rider job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Feedlot Pen Rider job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 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.
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.