Hostler Resume examples & templates
Copyable Hostler Resume examples
Ever wondered about the people who care for horses behind the scenes at racing stables, farms, and equestrian facilities? Hostlers (also called grooms) are the backbone of the equine industry, providing essential daily care that keeps these magnificent animals healthy and ready to perform. It's a hands-on career that combines physical work with genuine animal connection – and it's evolving rapidly. With the North American horse industry contributing over $122 billion annually to the economy, skilled hostlers remain in steady demand across racing, recreation, and therapeutic riding programs.
The role has changed dramatically in recent years. Today's hostlers aren't just mucking stalls and feeding horses; they're often trained in equine health monitoring, nutrition management, and even basic veterinary care. Many facilities now use specialized software to track feeding schedules and medical records, bringing a touch of tech to this traditionally hands-on profession. Looking ahead, opportunities for hostlers will continue growing as specialty equine therapy programs expand and high-end racing stables seek dedicated professionals who understand both horse psychology and physiology.
Junior Hostler Resume Example
Jared Miller
Phone: (918) 555-4329 | Email: jared.miller93@email.com | Location: Tulsa, OK | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaredmiller93
Dedicated hostler with 1.5 years of experience in equine care and stable operations. Skilled in daily horse maintenance, feeding schedules, and facility upkeep. Quick learner who takes direction well and maintains a strong work ethic in all weather conditions. Looking to grow my skills while providing excellent care to horses and supporting stable operations.
EXPERIENCE
Assistant Hostler | Oakridge Stables | Tulsa, OK | January 2023 – Present
- Provide daily care for 17 horses including feeding, watering, and monitoring health status
- Clean and bed 20+ stalls daily, maintaining sanitary conditions that reduced respiratory issues by 31%
- Assist with grooming and tacking horses for riding lessons and trail rides
- Help maintain facilities by cleaning tack, sweeping barn aisles, and performing basic repairs
- Support veterinary staff during routine health checks and vaccinations
Stable Hand (Part-time) | Green Country Equestrian Center | Broken Arrow, OK | May 2022 – December 2022
- Cleaned and prepared stalls for boarding horses and event participants
- Assisted with feeding schedule and water maintenance for up to 35 horses
- Helped maintain pastures and riding areas including fence repairs and manure removal
- Provided basic grooming services and assisted riders with tacking up
Farm Helper (Seasonal) | Miller Family Farm | Bixby, OK | Summers 2020-2021
- Helped care for 3 horses and various livestock on family property
- Learned basics of horse handling, feeding, and general care
- Assisted with pasture management and basic farm maintenance
EDUCATION
High School Diploma | Bixby High School | Bixby, OK | 2021
- Agricultural Studies Program participant
- FFA member, 2018-2021
Certifications & Training
- Basic Equine First Aid – Oklahoma Equestrian Association (2023)
- Horse Handling Safety – Green Country Equestrian Center (2022)
SKILLS
- Horse handling & grooming
- Stall cleaning & maintenance
- Feed preparation & scheduling
- Basic health monitoring
- Tack cleaning & maintenance
- Facility upkeep
- Pasture management
- Weather-appropriate horse care
- Team collaboration
- Physical stamina & endurance
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available for early morning, evening, and weekend shifts. Reliable transportation to rural locations. Comfortable working in all weather conditions.
Mid-level Hostler Resume Example
Marcus Santiago
Phoenix, AZ 85004 • (602) 555-7821 • m.santiago@emaildomain.com • linkedin.com/in/marcussantiago
Dedicated Hostler with 5+ years of experience in equine care and management. Known for developing strong relationships with horses, maintaining detailed health records, and creating efficient feeding/grooming schedules. Skilled in identifying early signs of health issues and implementing preventative care measures that have reduced vet costs by 31% at current stable.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Hostler | Sunrise Stables & Equestrian Center | Phoenix, AZ | March 2021 – Present
- Oversee daily care of 28 horses, including feeding, watering, grooming, and exercise requirements
- Train and supervise 3 junior hostlers, developing standardized protocols that improved stable efficiency by 23%
- Coordinate with veterinarians on vaccination schedules, dental care, and treatment plans for injured/ill horses
- Maintain detailed health and nutrition records for each horse, transitioning from paper to digital system
- Implement new bedding rotation system that reduced material costs by $872 quarterly
Hostler | Golden Valley Ranch | Scottsdale, AZ | June 2019 – February 2021
- Managed daily care for 15 performance horses, including specialized nutrition programs for competition animals
- Assisted with minor medical treatments including wound care, bandaging, and medication administration
- Maintained tack room organization and equipment repairs, extending average life of leather goods by 40%
- Prepared horses for shows and competitions, including bathing, mane pulling, and quarter marking
Assistant Hostler | Desert Wind Stables | Tempe, AZ | August 2018 – May 2019
- Assisted senior staff with daily feeding, watering, and grooming of 20+ horses
- Cleaned stalls, paddocks, and common areas according to strict sanitation standards
- Learned to identify common equine health issues and proper reporting procedures
- Helped exercise horses through lunging, hand-walking, and turnout management
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science in Equine Science
Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 2018
Certifications:
- Equine First Aid & Emergency Care | American Red Cross | 2022
- Basic Equine Nutrition Management | Extension Horse | 2020
- Safe Horse Handling Practices | Equestrian Safety Association | 2019
SKILLS
- Equine nutrition & feeding programs
- Grooming techniques (mane pulling, braiding, clipping)
- Tack maintenance & repair
- Basic veterinary support
- Barn management & sanitation
- Horse transport safety
- Record keeping & health documentation
- Lameness identification
- Pasture management
- Equine behavior assessment
Senior / Experienced Hostler Resume Example
KEVIN RAMIREZ
Oakland, CA 94601 | (510) 555-8742 | kramirez.pro@email.com | linkedin.com/in/kevinramirez
Dedicated Hostler with 9+ years of experience in equine care and stable management. Known for maintaining exceptional health standards for performance horses while efficiently managing staff and facility operations. Specialized in caring for thoroughbreds and quarter horses with a track record of supporting winning race teams. Recognized for meticulous attention to detail and ability to identify early signs of health concerns.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Head Hostler | Golden Gate Fields Racing Association | Albany, CA | Jan 2018 – Present
- Oversee daily care and maintenance of 32 thoroughbred racehorses, managing feeding schedules, exercise regimens, and health monitoring
- Supervise team of 6 stable hands, providing training on proper grooming techniques and safety protocols, reducing injury incidents by 47%
- Collaborate with veterinarians to implement preventative care programs, resulting in 28% decrease in respiratory issues among stable horses
- Maintain detailed records of medications, treatments, and performance metrics for each horse
- Developed improved bedding rotation system that reduced supply costs by $12,875 annually while enhancing stall cleanliness
Assistant Hostler | Pleasanton Equestrian Center | Pleasanton, CA | Mar 2015 – Dec 2017
- Managed daily care for 24 horses including grooming, feeding, watering, and stall cleaning
- Administered medications and supplements according to vet instructions and stable protocols
- Assisted with training young horses, including leading, lunging, and basic groundwork
- Coordinated with farrier for regular hoof maintenance and specialized shoeing needs
- Recognized for identifying early symptoms of Equine Infectious Anemia in two horses, preventing potential outbreak
Stable Hand | Sonoma County Equestrian Park | Petaluma, CA | Jul 2012 – Feb 2015
- Performed daily stall cleaning and bedding replacement for 18-stall facility
- Prepared and distributed feed, hay, and water according to individualized feeding schedules
- Assisted with grooming and tacking horses for riding lessons and trail rides
- Maintained tack room organization and performed basic equipment repairs
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate Degree in Equine Studies
Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 2014
Certifications:
- Equine First Aid & Emergency Response – American Association of Equine Practitioners (2022)
- Stable Management Certification – California Horse Racing Board (2019)
- Equine Nutrition Specialist – National Feed Association (2017)
- CPR & Basic Life Support – American Red Cross (renewed 2023)
SKILLS
- Horse Health Assessment
- Equine Nutrition & Feeding
- Medication Administration
- Bandaging & Wound Care
- Stable Management
- Staff Supervision
- Record Keeping
- Basic Veterinary Assistance
- Tack Maintenance
- Equine Transport Safety
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Multilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
Member: Professional Racehorse Grooms Association
Volunteer: Bay Area Horse Rescue (2016-present)
How to Write a Hostler Resume
Introduction
Landing a good hostler job starts with a resume that showcases your ability to care for horses and maintain stable facilities. As someone who's reviewed hundreds of hostler resumes, I can tell you that most hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds scanning your document before deciding whether to consider you further. That's why crafting a resume that quickly highlights your horse handling experience, stable management skills, and attention to detail is absolutely crucial.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your hostler resume clean and straightforward—just like a well-maintained stable. Fancy designs or complex formatting can distract from your qualifications and potentially cause problems with application systems.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (one page is preferable for less than 5 years of experience)
- Use a readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10-12pt size
- Include clear section headers to organize information
- Use consistent spacing throughout the document
- Save and submit as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a different format)
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should briefly highlight your experience with horses, stable maintenance, and any specialized skills that make you stand out. Keep it to 3-4 sentences max.
Tailor your summary to each job application by mentioning the specific type of horses or facility mentioned in the job posting. This small effort can dramatically increase your chances of getting an interview.
Example: "Reliable hostler with 4+ years of hands-on experience caring for thoroughbred racehorses; Skilled in grooming, feeding, and basic health monitoring. Known for maintaining immaculate stall conditions and developing trust with high-strung animals. Experienced in trailer loading and safe horse transport procedures."
Professional Experience
This section carries the most weight on your hostler resume. Focus on your daily responsibilities and achievements rather than just listing job duties.
- Begin with your most recent position and work backward
- Include the stable name, your job title, and employment dates (month/year)
- Use 4-6 bullet points per role that start with strong action verbs
- Quantify your work when possible (e.g., "Cared for 12 performance horses daily")
- Highlight specific skills like administering medications, recognizing health issues, or operating specialized equipment
Education and Certifications
While formal education isn't always required for hostler positions, any relevant training shows your commitment to the field. Include:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Any vocational training related to animal care or agriculture
- Certifications like first aid for horses, trailer safety, or equine nutrition
- Relevant workshops or short courses you've completed
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger stables and equine facilities use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Incorporate keywords from the job posting (grooming, feeding, mucking, horse handling)
- Include industry-standard terms for equipment and procedures
- List specific horse breeds you've worked with if mentioned in the job description
- Avoid using images, headers/footers, or tables that can confuse ATS software
Industry-specific Terms
Showing your familiarity with proper terminology demonstrates your experience level. Consider including relevant terms like:
- Specific grooming tools: curry combs, dandy brushes, hoof picks
- Feed types: concentrates, roughage, supplements
- Stable management: mucking out, bedding types (straw, shavings, pellets)
- Horse handling terminology: leading, lunging, cross-ties
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague about your specific horse handling experience
- Forgetting to mention safety practices and protocols you follow
- Omitting physical capabilities (many employers want to know you can lift 50+ lbs)
- Using overly casual language or slang terms
- Including irrelevant work history that doesn't demonstrate transferable skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Cleaned horse stalls and fed horses."
After: "Maintained pristine living conditions for 14 show horses by mucking stalls twice daily, replacing bedding as needed, and following individualized feeding programs with attention to nutritional supplements and dietary restrictions."
Remember that your resume should paint a picture of someone who's not just willing to do the physical work of a hostler, but who truly understands horse care and stable management. Good luck with your application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Hostler resume
- Equine behavior interpretation – reading horse body language and recognizing subtle stress signals before they escalate
- Crisis management under pressure, especially during unexpected horse health emergencies or facility issues
- Cross-functional communication between veterinarians, trainers, and owners about horse care needs
- Time management while juggling multiple horses with different feeding and exercise schedules
- Mentoring junior stable hands and seasonal workers on proper handling techniques
- Adaptability to changing weather conditions and their impact on facility operations
Hard skills for your Hostler resume
- Equine health assessment (temperature/pulse/respiration monitoring)
- Proper feed calculation and nutritional management
- Tack maintenance and repair
- Equine first aid and wound treatment
- StableWise inventory management software
- Farrier assistance techniques
- Safe handling of breeding stock
- Trailer loading and transport protocols
- Pasture rotation management