Position Overview: Salty Oak Farm is looking for an experienced and passionate Head Trainer to join our dynamic team. As Head Trainer, you will be responsible for overseeing horse training, managing client communications, handling scheduling, leading a team, and ensuring smooth operations of our horse training program. This is a hands-on, leadership position requiring excellent communication, organizational, and equestrian skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Horse Training

Develop Training Plans: Create and implement customized training programs for each horse, focusing on specific goals (e.g., preparing for races, competitions, or general performance).

Daily Training Routines: Oversee daily training sessions, ensuring horses are exercised properly to build stamina, agility, and skills.

Behavior Management: Address any behavioral issues and work with the horses to develop trust and communication.

Horse Care & Health Management

Health Monitoring: Work closely with veterinarians to ensure horses are healthy and receiving proper care. Monitor for injuries, illnesses, and general well-being.

Feeding and Nutrition: Ensure the horses are being fed appropriate diets based on their individual needs and training intensity.

Showing

Building a Show Team

Coordination of Show Logistics

Regular Updates: Provide consistent updates on progress, performance, and training goals for both horses and riders through emails, texts, or in-person discussions. Include feedback after each lesson and training session.

Personalized Feedback: Tailor communication to each client’s preferences, offering detailed progress reports and specific areas for improvement, with clear guidance on the next steps.

Open Communication Channels: Encourage client feedback, maintain an open-door policy for questions, and ensure responsiveness to client concerns, fostering trust and engagement.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 5 years of experience as an equine trainer, with a strong background in training and riding.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with clients and managing staff.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage schedules, billing, and administrative tasks efficiently.

Experience in horse show management is preferred.

A positive, solution-oriented attitude and a passion for equine development and education.

Staff Management

Team Leadership: Manage and guide other trainers, assistants, and barn staff. Ensure everyone is working efficiently and safely.

Staff Training: Educate the team on the best practices for handling, feeding, and exercising horses.

Scheduling: Develop and manage the training schedules for horses and staff to ensure consistency and productivity.

Client Management

Regular Communication: Keep clients informed with frequent updates on their horses’ progress, training goals, and any concerns, ensuring transparency and addressing any questions promptly.

Lesson Program Management: Oversee a lesson program for clients, providing individual or group riding lessons. Tailor lessons to the client’s experience level, helping them improve their riding skills, and ensuring safety and effective instruction.

Client Education: Educate clients on horse care, training methods, and performance management to keep them engaged and confident in the training process. Include lessons on how to care for horses, training techniques, and understanding horse behavior.

Conflict Resolution: Handle disagreements or challenges with professionalism, offering solutions and maintaining a positive and supportive relationship with clients.

Private bedroom and bathroom in a farmhouse on property. Shared Kitchen and living areas.

Why Join Salty Oak Farm?

A supportive and enthusiastic team environment.

Opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients and horses.

Beautiful farm setting with access to top-notch facilities.