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Live In Ranch Hand Jobs in Ruidoso, NM (NOW HIRING)

Overview The job in a nutshell: Do you have a passion for helping people? Do you believe that you ... How about nutrition; do you like to learn and help people live healthier? Yes? Well, do we have the ...

Salary Range USD $15.00/Hr. - Overview The job in a nutshell: Do you have a passion for helping ... How about nutrition; do you like to learn and help people live healthier? Yes? Well, do we have the ...

Live In Ranch Hand information

See Ruidoso, NM salary details

$9

$16

$23

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

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for live in ranch hand in Ruidoso, NM is $16.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.85 and $18.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Live In Ranch Hand vs Ranch Worker?

AspectLive In Ranch HandRanch Worker
CredentialsExperience with livestock, basic farm skillsSimilar, often no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentOn-site, living at the ranchOn-site or nearby, may commute daily
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in ranching operations, especially large-scaleBroader, includes seasonal or part-time workers

The main difference is that a Live In Ranch Hand resides on the ranch and performs daily livestock and farm duties, often with housing provided. A Ranch Worker may work on the same ranch but might not live on-site and could have more flexible or part-time hours. Both roles require similar skills, but the live-in aspect distinguishes the Ranch Hand as a full-time, on-site employee.

What are live-in ranch hands?

Live-in ranch hands are workers who reside on a ranch property and assist with daily operations such as caring for livestock, maintaining equipment, repairing fences, and other general ranch work. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the size of the ranch and the types of animals or crops present. Living on-site allows them to respond quickly to emergencies involving animals or property. Compensation often includes room and board in addition to a salary or hourly wage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Live In Ranch Hand, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Live In Ranch Hand, you need practical knowledge of animal husbandry, equipment operation, general maintenance, and basic first aid, often gained through hands-on experience or vocational training. Familiarity with tools like tractors, fencing equipment, and sometimes livestock management software is typically required. Reliability, strong work ethic, adaptability, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the smooth operation of the ranch, animal welfare, and successful teamwork in a demanding environment.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for a Live In Ranch Hand, and how does the role interact with other ranch staff?

A Live In Ranch Hand's daily responsibilities often include feeding and caring for livestock, maintaining fences and equipment, cleaning barns or stalls, and assisting with seasonal tasks such as calving or haying. The role requires close collaboration with ranch managers, other ranch hands, and sometimes veterinarians to ensure animal health and efficient ranch operations. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as many tasks are coordinated and require group effort, especially during busy periods. Flexibility and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed are highly valued in this environment.

What Does a Live-In Ranch Hand Do?

As a live-in ranch hand, your job is to oversee the herding and care of animals. In this role, you may also feed animals, perform various maintenance tasks, and otherwise help keep the ranch functioning. Live-in ranch hands may live in private or communal housing on or near the ranch grounds. You may work early, late, on weekends, or on holidays as necessary. This is a physically intensive role that often requires being on your feet for extended periods, lifting heavy items, and otherwise performing labor on the ranch. Some live-in ranch hands participate in additional tasks, such as escorting visitors, hosting shows and events, or traveling with ranch animals for various purposes.

What cities near Ruidoso, NM are hiring for Live In Ranch Hand jobs? Cities near Ruidoso, NM with the most Live In Ranch Hand job openings:
Infographic showing various Live In Ranch Hand job openings in Ruidoso, NM 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 $34,750 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

H6650 STABLE HAND

Inn of the Mountain Gods

Mescalero, NM โ€ข On-site

$14 - $19/hr

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Position Title: Stable Hand
Reports To: Stables Manager
Supervises: N/A
Summary of Position
Assist in daily operation of the stables. Saddle and unsaddle horse, take guest on trail rides, hay haul, feed haul, fence work, painting rails, picking up trash on trail, trail maintenance, shoeing horse, clean area stalls, barns, restrooms, office and vehicles.
Key Responsibilities and Performance/Behaviors
  • Ability
  • Can explain and demonstrate Hospitality Behaviors and Performance Standards.
  • Understands where to get the information needed to complete tasks to standard.
  • Can explain and demonstrate technical skills used to complete tasks to standard.
  • Can explain or demonstrate the behavioral values or standards needed to complete tasks to standard.
  • Understands how to take ownership of problems and solve them when solutions may not be available.
  • Can explain how to request help from others when needed to complete task or goal.
  • Has complete knowledge and can tell others of IMGR&C products and services.
  • Provide guests with directions or other venue information. Act upon all comments/complaints in a prompt, professional and friendly manner.
  • Performance
  • Performance meets expected end results and standards in Key Responsibilities and those listed on technical / operational SOP's and task lists.
  • Responds to obstacles; finds new ways to reach desired end results.
  • In absence of guidance, acts and takes charge to respond to guest or internal customer needs.
  • Responds to change by quickly applying talent and skills in a positive way to succeed.
  • Supports achievement of Quality Goal; "Do it right the first time."
  • Acts to protect and preserve property of IMGR&C. All areas, equipment and furnishings are kept exceptionally neat, clean and in good repair.
  • Makes suggestions to improve performance.
  • Behavior
  • Behavior meets IMGR&C standards (Mission, Values, Hospitality Behaviors, Customer Recovery Skills).
  • Approaches all activities with enthusiasm and encourages enthusiasm from others.
  • Chooses a positive approach in all situations.
  • Respects individuality of others; continues to communicate in order to work together.
  • Speaks positively about guests, other team members and our business in all situations on and off property.
  • Treats other with respect in all situations.
  • Service
  • Serves others.
  • Identifies and can communicate needs of guests and others.
  • Takes quick action to serve others in a way that meets/exceeds their needs.
  • Identifies ways to improve individual or team's service to others.
  • Provides service outside job responsibilities if needed to help resort succeed.
  • Takes ownership of guest problem(s) until it is solved.
  • Professionalism
  • Meets IMGR&C Appearance standards.
  • Professionally supports IMGR&C reputation and image in all situations, on and off property.
  • Attendance
  • Meets IMG&C policy for attendance.
  • Informs supervisor of future absence as far in advance as possible.
  • Required to work all Marketing Special Events and Concerts.
  • Communication
  • Provides information others need to succeed, in time for them to use it.
  • Shares with next shift the information needed for them to succeed.
  • Listens to others without interruption; acts on their feedback when possible.
  • Asks questions to better understand expectations of others.
  • Reports all guest complaints and compliments to Supervisor or Manager.
  • Reports all situations to Supervisor or Manager where resort grounds or equipment do not meet IMGR&C standards.
  • Team Work
  • Puts Success of team ahead of personal success.
  • Helps other team members succeed without being asked.
  • Takes action to resolve conflict between individuals.
  • Helps other departments achieve success.
  • Reports ideas to increase team success and guest satisfaction to Supervisor or Manager.
  • Does whatever is necessary to help department and resort success.
  • Contributes ideas that support progress and success at shift, team and departmental meetings.

  1. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following and are subject to change at management's discretion:
  • Fence work.
  • Trash pickup on trails
  • Manage and clean trails
  • Clean restrooms, office and barn
  • Haul and stack hay
  • Feed bags
  • Clean saddles and pack saddle
  1. Supervisory Responsibilities
  2. Education and/or Experience Requirements

Meets IMGR&C Values that are reflected in the letters A-P-A-C-H-E, Accountability, Productivity, Acceptance, Communication, Hospitality, and Enthusiasm. Approaches all activities with enthusiasm and encourages enthusiasm from others. Chooses a positive approach in all situations. Treats others with respect in all situations. Works in collaboration with other Team Members to achieve event goals, exemplifies teamwork.
  • High school diploma or GED; or six months to one-year job related experience and/or training. Must have a valid NM Driver's License. Ability to shoe horses and take guests out on trail tours. Must have customer service skills and horsemanship.
  1. Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.
While performing the duties of this position, the team member is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear. Must be able to use hand held communications devices. The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The team member must be able to stand for several hours.
  • Haul hay
  • Feed
  • Fence post
  1. Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
The noise level in the work environment is loud. The team member will be exposed to a second-hand smoke-filled environment. The team member may be exposed to biohazardous fluids such as blood and other body fluids. The team member may be exposed to hostile environments with guest. May be subject to high stress environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.