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Performance Horse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our flagship facility is based at the world-class Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland, where we serve a diverse population of Thoroughbred racehorses and performance horses across MD, PA ...

Our flagship facility is based at the world-class Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland, where we serve a diverse population of Thoroughbred racehorses and performance horses across MD, PA ...

$42K/mo

Performance horse evaluations - H/J, eventing, and dressage show horse, Standardbred racehorses, western pleasure, emphasis on diagnostics and therapeutic options. Lameness workups, imaging (DR ...

Performance horse evaluations - H/J, eventing, and dressage show horse, Standardbred racehorses, western pleasure, emphasis on diagnostics and therapeutic options. Lameness workups, imaging (DR ...

Our aim is to provide students with a realistic example of private practice in the performance horse industry, while allowing them the opportunity to enhance their clinical understanding. This ...

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Performance Horse information

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$11

$60

$98

How much do performance horse jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for performance horse in the United States is $60.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.28 and $68.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the 20% rule for horses?

The 20% rule for horses, including performance horses, suggests that a rider or trainer should not increase training intensity or workload by more than 20% per week to prevent injury and promote safe progress. This guideline helps maintain the horse's physical health and ensures gradual development of strength and skill.

What are some common challenges faced by a Performance Horse Trainer, and how can they be managed?

Performance Horse Trainers often encounter challenges such as adapting training techniques to suit individual horses’ temperaments, managing the physical and mental stress on the animals, and balancing competition schedules with proper rest and recovery. Building a strong rapport with each horse and staying updated on best practices in equine care can help address these challenges. Close communication with veterinarians, farriers, and owners is also essential to ensuring peak performance and well-being for the horses.

What is the difference between Performance Horse vs Equine Veterinarian?

AspectPerformance HorseEquine Veterinarian
Required CredentialsHorse training certifications, riding experienceVeterinary degree, state licensure
Work EnvironmentStables, racetracks, show ringsClinics, hospitals, farms
Employer & IndustryEquestrian centers, racing, show circuitsVeterinary clinics, hospitals, research

Performance Horse professionals focus on training, riding, and preparing horses for competitions or work, often without formal veterinary credentials. Equine Veterinarians diagnose and treat horse health issues, requiring veterinary degrees and licenses. While both work with horses, their roles differ significantly in scope and qualifications. Performance Horse careers emphasize riding skills and training, whereas Equine Veterinarians focus on medical care and health management.

What are performance horses?

Performance horses are horses specifically bred, trained, and used for competitive equestrian sports and disciplines such as show jumping, dressage, eventing, barrel racing, and reining. These horses are selected for their athleticism, agility, temperament, and ability to excel in high-performance activities. Performance horses require specialized training, conditioning, and care to achieve top results in their chosen discipline. Owners and riders often invest significant time and resources to maintain the health and performance of these horses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Performance Horse Trainer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Performance Horse Trainer, you need deep expertise in equine behavior, riding techniques, and training methodologies, often backed by experience in competitive equestrian sports. Familiarity with tools like training aids, video analysis software, and certifications from organizations such as the United States Equestrian Federation or similar bodies are common. Patience, keen observation, and strong communication skills help trainers effectively work with both horses and their owners. These skills ensure safe, humane training, optimal horse performance, and positive client relationships in a demanding, results-driven field.
More about Performance Horse jobs
What cities are hiring for Performance Horse jobs? Cities with the most Performance Horse job openings:
What states have the most Performance Horse jobs? States with the most job openings for Performance Horse jobs include:
Infographic showing various Performance Horse job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% As Needed, 8% Full Time, and 84% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $125,019 per year, or $60.1 per hour.
Performance Horse Veterinary Technician/Assistant - Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Performance Horse Veterinary Technician/Assistant - Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

PetVet Care Centers

Lexington, KY • On-site

$16 - $20.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago


PetVet Care Centers rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

34th of 47 rated veterinary


Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking a Performance Horse Veterinary Technician/Assistant to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

  • Local autonomy with national support
  • Career mobility and development opportunities
  • A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.


Position Overview

Join our team as a Performance Horse Veterinary Technician/Assistant who supports the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, is an internationally recognized leader in equine medicine, combining cutting-edge technology with a collaborative team dedicated to advancing equine health and performance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide compassionate care to all patients
  • Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
  • Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
  • Calm and soothe anxious patients
  • Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
  • Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
  • Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
  • Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
  • Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
  • Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
  • Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
  • Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
  • Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions
  • Maintain accurate medical records
  • Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
  • Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
  • Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
  • Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

Qualifications (Required)

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Horse handling or equine experience is a must
  • May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience
  • Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors
  • Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
  • This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion. May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
  • Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

  • Experience with competition/sport horses

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, occasional overtime and weekends as needed

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
  • 401(k) with discretionary contribution
  • Team Member Pet Discounts
  • Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
  • CE stipends and career development resources
  • Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
  • Local hospital culture backed by national resources
Pay Range
$17—$19 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.  Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.


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About PetVet Care Centers

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PetVet Care Centers, based in Westport, CT, US, is a leading player in the veterinary services industry. The company operates a network of over 350 general, specialty, and emergency hospitals across the United States, making it a central fixture in the field of animal health care. Established with a mission to provide the best possible care to the patients while supporting the people who provide that care, PetVet Care Centers continues to uphold this mission by providing comprehensive, quality medical services to pets. The company has achieved significant growth since its inception, standing as an industry pioneer by virtue of its commitment to advanced veterinary services and superior patient care.

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Westport, CT, US

Year founded

2012

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