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Internship Feedlot Pen Rider Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pen Rider (24928)

Coalinga, CA · On-site

$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:

JOB TITLE: Head Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager FLSA STATUS: AG Exempt, Salaried FUNCTION ... movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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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Internship Feedlot Pen Rider information

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$5

$16

$25

How much do internship feedlot pen rider jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship feedlot pen rider in the United States is $16.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Internship Feedlot Pen Riders?

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 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 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.
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Head Pen Rider

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

JOB TITLE: Head Pen Rider

REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager

FLSA STATUS: AG Exempt, Salaried

FUNCTION: Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Supervises pen riders. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

  • Utilizes a horse to ride through assigned pens daily and identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress; segregates sick cattle for treatment by driving them to nearest hospital pen; calls deads in for removal.

  • Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing; counting cattle and separating strays; checking withdrawals.

  • Moves/drives cattle from one area of the yard to another humanely by utilizing low-stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle.

  • Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals daily.

  • Returns stray animals to home pens.

  • Rides horse safely by awareness of surroundings and exercise of caution in dangerous situations.

  • Maintains appearance of break room by properly disposing of trash, wiping feet upon entering, and sweeping/mopping according to the posted schedule.

  • Maintains cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floors, maintaining stalls, etc...

  • Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employees for repair (broken water tanks, bunks, holes, etc.).

  • Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens through awareness of unusual trends (including concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received, etc).

  • Sets a positive example for employees by modeling safe work practices and following safety rules and policies. Communicates critical safety information to employees by conducting regular safety training; monitors workplace for unsafe/non-compliant behavior.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Supervisory experience.

  • Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner.

  • Ability to furnish gentle horse and tack.

  • Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to apply these functions using units and weights.

  • Knowledge of cattle breeds and characteristics.

  • Flexibility to work varied hours should shipping necessitate it.

  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

COMPETENCY:

Expected to adapt to changes in the work environment, have the ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events, exhibit sound and accurate judgment, prioritize and plan work activities, set goals and objectives, observe safety and security procedures, and report potentially unsafe conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to ride a horse daily and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Frequently to Occasionally the employee is required to push/pull, reach, bend, run, sit, stand, jump, climb, squat, kneel, lift, carry, twist, grasp/squeeze. Working with or near cattle, horses, vehicles and equipment in all weather conditions.

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