Pen Rider
Ulysses, KS · On-site
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Pen Rider
Ulysses, KS · On-site
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Quick apply
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Pen Rider
Ulysses, KS · On-site
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Pen Rider
Ulysses, KS · On-site
Pen Rider REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
Friona Industries Pen Rider's priority is to ensure and maintain the health and welfare of the cattle in the feedyard. An effective Pen Rider serves as the first line of detection and communication ...
Quick apply
Friona Industries Pen Rider's priority is to ensure and maintain the health and welfare of the cattle in the feedyard. An effective Pen Rider serves as the first line of detection and communication ...
Friona Industries Pen Rider's priority is to ensure and maintain the health and welfare of the cattle in the feedyard. An effective Pen Rider serves as the first line of detection and communication ...
Friona Industries Pen Rider's priority is to ensure and maintain the health and welfare of the cattle in the feedyard. An effective Pen Rider serves as the first line of detection and communication ...
Pen Rider information
See Kansas salary details
$13.29 - $14.46
9% of jobs
$15.40 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.46 - $15.63
20% of jobs
$15.63 - $16.80
16% of jobs
The median wage is $17.01 / hr.
$16.80 - $17.97
26% of jobs
$18.26 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$17.97 - $19.14
15% of jobs
$19.14 - $20.31
0% of jobs
$20.31 - $21.48
0% of jobs
$21.48 - $22.65
0% of jobs
$22.65 - $23.82
0% of jobs
$23.82 - $24.99
0% of jobs
$24.99 - $26.15
13% of jobs
$13
$18
$26
How much do pen rider jobs pay per hour?
As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for pen rider in Kansas is $18.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Pen Rider position, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Pen Rider, you need strong horsemanship abilities, cattle handling skills, and a solid understanding of animal health, often gained through hands-on experience or agricultural training. Proficiency with basic livestock management tools and, in some operations, familiarity with feedlot management software or animal health recordkeeping systems is beneficial. Excellent observation skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently make someone stand out in this position. These competencies are crucial for ensuring livestock wellbeing, efficient pen management, and seamless coordination with feedlot teams.
What is a Pen Rider job?
A Pen Rider is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the health and welfare of cattle in feedlots. They ride horseback or use ATVs to check pens for sick, injured, or stressed animals, ensuring timely treatment. Duties include sorting cattle, moving them between pens, and communicating with veterinarians and feedlot staff. The job requires strong horsemanship, attention to detail, and knowledge of animal health and behavior. Pen Riders play a crucial role in ensuring cattle are properly cared for and feedlot operations run efficiently.
What are some common challenges Pen Riders face on the job?
Pen Riders often deal with challenges such as quickly identifying sick or injured animals among large herds, working in varying weather conditions, and managing the physical demands of riding for extended periods. They must also navigate the complexities of safely moving cattle through pens to minimize stress and injury. Adaptability and attention to detail are essential, as conditions in the feedlot can change rapidly. However, overcoming these challenges is rewarding and plays a key role in maintaining animal health and overall feedlot productivity.
What are popular job titles related to Pen Rider jobs in Kansas? For Pen Rider jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pen Rider jobs in Kansas look for? The top searched job categories for Pen Rider jobs in Kansas are:
Job description
JOB TITLE: Pen Rider
REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable)
FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt
FUNCTION: 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.
QUALIFICATIONS:
COMPETENCY:
Expected to work efficiently with minimal supervision, 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 from a standing, stooping, or sitting position. Employees will be in confinement areas with cattle and horses and must be able to safely and swiftly climb or exit the area. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Walking, climbing, bending, stooping, reaching upward and downward, pinching, gripping, hearing, sitting, pushing/pulling, twisting.
Apply Today!
REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable)
FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt
FUNCTION: 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.
- 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 by utilizing humane low-stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle.
- Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals.
- 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 and cleaning stalls.
- Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employee for repair (broken water tanks, bunks, holes, etc.).
- Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens through observance of unusual trends (including concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received, etc).
- Complies with all applicable safety rules and policies.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 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.
COMPETENCY:
Expected to work efficiently with minimal supervision, 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 from a standing, stooping, or sitting position. Employees will be in confinement areas with cattle and horses and must be able to safely and swiftly climb or exit the area. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Walking, climbing, bending, stooping, reaching upward and downward, pinching, gripping, hearing, sitting, pushing/pulling, twisting.
Apply Today!
About Five Rivers Cattle Feeding
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Food and drink manufacturing
Company size
501 - 1,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Johnstown, CO, US
Year founded
2005