Barn Stable Management Career
If you work in the Animal Careers subsector of Barn and Stable Management, you likely oversee the proper care of horses, supervise employees, and maintain the buildings and grounds surrounding the care and upkeep of the many facets of the equine industry. With equine showing, racing, breeding, and boarding operations, there generally is a barn (stable) manager that handles the care of the horses and supervision of employees. Part of your job may be to hire, train, and supervise barn and stable workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation.
Managerial Duties:
- Supervise all facets of equine care.
- Make decisions about equine care by evaluating factors such as nutrition, grooming, health, and transportation.
- Choose and buy supplies, such as feed and equipment.
- Maintain equipment.
- Maintain barn and stable facilities, such as water pipes, fences, and shelters.
- Schedule lessons.
Non-managerial Duties:
- Feed horses.
- Muck out stalls.
- Turn out horses to paddocks.
- Wrap horses' legs.
- Assist with veterinary treatments.
- Arrange transportation to shows or races.
- Repair broken fence boards and equipment such as automatic watering machines.
Outlook
Median Wage: approximately $68,000 annually
Career opportunities are expected to stay the same through 2026 showing little growth and little decline in the job subsector.
Of note:
Many barn and stable management positions come with associated benefits, such as living accommodations on the farm, use of a farm truck, board for a personal horse, paid vacation, and health insurance.
For more information
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
- Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
- National Association of Animal Breeders
- ASPCA Horsecare
- Equisearch
- Humane Society – Horse Care Guidelines
- American Horse Council
Publications
Academic Programs
Working within the subsector of Barn and Stable Management, you do not necessarily need a four-year bachelor's degree. You will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent if considering a career in this subsector plus several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. For barn and stable management, an associate or bachelor's degree program may be helpful. To find an institution of higher education that offers a program relative to your career aspirations in barn and stable management, the easiest place to start for most people is to perform a simple search by area of interest. A few colleges and universities offer advanced degree programs in the following areas:
- Animal Breeding
- Equestrian/Equine Studies
- Farm and Ranch Management
- Animal Husbandry
- Horse Husbandry
- Equine Science and Management
Use the link provided below and the ‘Browse for Program’ button to search by program area: