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Live In Horse Ranch Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

$300K - $464K/yr

Ranked as a Best Place to Live in, a Best Place to Retire, the No. 23 Best Big City to Live in ... horseback riding and camping in the surrounding mountains and deserts. Job Benefits About the ...

Genitourinary Oncologist Faculty

Bent, NM · On-site

$300K - $464K/yr

Ranked as a Best Place to Live in, a Best Place to Retire, the No. 23 Best Big City to Live in ... horseback riding and camping in the surrounding mountains and deserts. Job Benefits About the ...

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Live In Horse Ranch information

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How much do live in horse ranch jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for live in horse ranch in New Mexico is $16.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $18.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a live in horse ranch?

A Live In Horse Ranch job typically involves living on-site at a horse ranch while performing daily tasks related to horse care, ranch maintenance, and sometimes guest services. Responsibilities may include feeding, grooming, exercising horses, cleaning stalls, repairing fences, and assisting with riding activities. Some positions also require managing ranch operations or hosting visitors. In exchange for work, accommodations and sometimes meals are provided. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about horses and outdoor living.

What does a live in horse ranch do?

A typical workday on a horse ranch often starts early and includes tasks such as feeding and watering horses, cleaning stalls, checking the health of the animals, and maintaining ranch grounds and facilities. Throughout the day, you may assist with exercising or training horses, repairing fences or equipment, and managing supplies. While the daily routine can be physically demanding and varies by season, you’ll work closely with other ranch staff or family members and sometimes with veterinarians and trainers. Living on-site provides the opportunity for more flexible hours and immediate response to any emergencies, which is essential for the well-being of the animals. The role suits those who enjoy hands-on work, outdoor environments, and building strong connections with horses and colleagues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a live in horse ranch position?

To thrive as a Live In Horse Ranch worker, you need hands-on experience with horse care, basic animal husbandry, and knowledge of ranch operations such as feeding, grooming, and facility maintenance. Familiarity with ranch equipment, basic veterinary practices, and sometimes certifications in equine management or first aid are valuable. Strong soft skills include reliability, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently as well as communicate effectively with team members and ranch owners. These abilities are crucial for ensuring the well-being of the animals, maintaining the property, and supporting a positive, safe, and efficient ranch environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Horse Ranch jobs in New Mexico?

The most popular types of Horse Ranch jobs in New Mexico are:

What job categories do people searching Live In Horse Ranch jobs in New Mexico look for?

The top searched job categories for Live In Horse Ranch jobs in New Mexico are:

What cities in New Mexico are hiring for Live In Horse Ranch jobs?

Cities in New Mexico with the most Live In Horse Ranch job openings:

Infographic showing various Live In Horse Ranch job openings in New Mexico as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,055 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Trainer/Caretaker - Private 3 Horse Ranch

EquiStaff

Santa Fe, NM • On-site

$65/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

About the Facility 
Situated on ~300 acres outside of the center of Santa Fe, NM, this beautiful private ranch is complete with a 10 stall barn, outdoor riding arena, and 8 miles worth of private trails for the resident horses and their humans to enjoy! Providing a forever home for the family's 3 horses, this ranch will soon grow to include cattle grazing on the pasture land and a small armada of donkeys to protect them. Located less than 20min from the heart of Santa Fe, this property provides a unique blend of tranquil ranch living but convenient access to civilization!

Job Description 
We are looking for a compassionate, experienced equestrian to join this facility as the Trainer/Caretaker of the owner's 3 forever horses and companion donkeys. Aged in their early teens, the horses here have been trained up under Parelli principals, and do not have any competition goals or rigorous demands. This person will be responsible for exercising the horses on a daily basis in the arenas and on the trails, along with maintaining the highest standards of care alongside the rest of the 4 person team. With a typical work schedule running 7:30am-4:00pm just 4 days per week including weekendsthere are generally at least 2 individuals working in the barn at all times. The ideal individual will have an easygoing personality but be accustomed to providing meticulous care for the horses at all times. This person must be well experienced in western riding principals, and have a gentle, horses-first mentality. 
There is a team of maintenance professionals who handle all facility upkeep, fence fixing, etc - and the cattle are not the responsibility of this individual beyond basic oversight in the event of an emergency. This is truly a position centered around providing the best possible care for the 3 horses on-site for the duration of their lifetimes!

This is NOT a leadership position. There will be no training or management of additional staff, and applicants MUST be willing to observe and adhere to the existing structures and quiet nature of the team here.

Job Duties
- Feed horses - 2x/day for gain and 4x/day for hay
- Bring horses and donkeys to/from turnout
- Stall Cleaning Daily
- Check horses' feet before and after turnout and working
- Groom and provide care for horses, including daily Theraplate use
- Exercise horses both in the arena and on the trails on schedule in collaboration with the Barn Manager and Owner ~1hr per ride, 2 horses per day
- Monitor for any signs of illness, injury, or various other equine ailments - and treat accordingly
*Ability to perform night check duties for additional income is possible!

Job Requirements 
- Minimum 5 years professional working experience in an established equestrian program
- Minimum 8 years riding experience ideally focused in the Western industry 
        *Familiarity with Parelli training methods is preferred but not required
- Must be comfortable signing a 1 year commitment in this role
- Must be capable of driving a 3 horse gooseneck trailer in event of emergency
- Must be willing to follow detailed care instructions and uphold owner's standards of horsecare at all times
- Must be willing to work weekends
- Must be able to bandage and provide basic first aide for horses
- Easygoing, collaborative teamwork attitude
- Willing to do all aspects of horse care 
- Possess a strong attention to detail and high care standards for horses
*Bonus if familiar with rehab modalities - i.e. massage, laser, PEMF, theraplate, etc
*Bonus is comfortable and able to give IV/IM injections

Benefits
- $65/hr with an average 35hour work week for an expected base comp totaling around $115,000
- 50% employer paid health insurance
- Relocation Stipend Available
- 4 day work week 
- PTO structure
- 1hr paid lunch daily
- Ability to make additional income with night check responsibilities

Housing
Applicants must be willing to source their own housing within 45min of the ranch which is located less than 30min South of Santa Fe