Pen Rider
A pen rider monitors and moves cattle around a feeding operation. On horses, pen riders ride through assigned pens daily and identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress. They segregate sick cattle for treatment by driving them to the nearest hospital pen.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Ride horses through assigned pens daily
- Assist in the shipment of cattle
- Move and drive cattle from one area of the yard to another
- Identify distressed or sick cattle and transport them to the nearest hospital pen
- Administer injections and other treatments to cattle according to protocol
- Return treated cattle to home pens from hospital pens when ready for transport
- Return stray animals to home pens
- Ride horses safely with an awareness of surroundings
- Maintain cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floor and cleaning stalls
- Report observed pen maintenance issues
- Alert supervisor to possible problem pens through observance of unusual trends
- Comply with all applicable safety and animal welfare rules and policies
- Drive large numbers of cattle to new home pens depending on feeding phase
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education, particularly animal science
- biology
- mathematics
Education/Training Required:
A high school diploma and knowledge of cattle and horses are key for being a successful pen rider.
