Neverland Farm Manager

Position Overview:

We are seeking a thoughtful, organized, and adaptable horse person to join our team as a Farm Manager. As the Farm Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and management of everything pony-related for our small horsemanship academy in Saint-Lazare, QC. Your primary goal will be to ensure the overall well-being, safety, and happiness of the horses under your care, as well as the efficient and smooth functioning of the barn, facilities, and property.

This includes managing all vendors, service providers, and additional barn staff to maintain a high standard of maintenance and operations for the entire facility.

As a small team, this role is going to be 70% direct contributor, and 30% management tasks. This means you’ll roll up your sleeves and muck stalls too!

About Neverland:

Neverland Farm is a small horsemanship academy (hunter/jumper) approximately 20 minutes from the island of Montreal in the town of Saint-Lazare.

We are home to 20 ponies, on just under 20 acres of mostly forested land.

Our ponies live in herds and the majority of them spend most of their days and nights living outdoors amongst the trees, with sandy, variable terrain under their hooves.

A handful of the ponies will come in every night, while the others may join them in our 12-stall barn on the harshest of winter nights.

This makes the daily chores of running our barn a little different than you might be used to. Mucking out in the morning is usually a lot easier, but we’ll spend some additional time each week mucking the paddocks and shelters instead.

Turnout is less about getting each horse out one at a time and more about fetching a pony when it’s their turn to have their hooves trimmed!

We are strictly a riding school, which means the days on the farm are typically very quiet, which makes a typical day of chores a very peaceful experience. We don’t have any boarders, and only care for ponies we don’t own when their owner is in one of our lesson programs. This means less variable schedules, and people coming and going all day.

That said, your hours will certainly overlap with the start of lessons each afternoon, and so a level of comfort with young riders, parents (who are required to stay outside the barn so their child can learn proper prep and care of their ponies), and a willingness to help out getting everyone tacked up and ready when needed is required.

Our lesson programs are exclusively for children aged 3-18. We put a strong emphasis on developing the next generation of lifelong horse people through teaching traditional horsemanship and pony care in addition to the riding component. Our goal with most athletes is to give them the opportunity to eventually grow into competing in the local circuits, however we create space for those who will only ever wish to ride recreationally.

Responsibilities:

Horse Care and Welfare:

Oversee all aspects of horse care, including feeding, grooming, exercise routines, and overall health management.
Monitor horses' behavior, identify signs of illness or injury, and coordinate veterinary care when necessary.
Develop and implement an effective vaccination and deworming schedule.
Maintain detailed records of veterinary visits, treatments, and medications.
Coordinate and schedule farrier visits, vaccinations, and other services in consultation with clients and the barn owner.

Facility Management:

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the barn, including scheduling and coordinating staff, volunteers, and contractors.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment in the barn, including regular stall cleaning, manure management, and equipment maintenance.
Ensure the availability and proper use of necessary supplies, such as feed, bedding, grooming tools, and medical supplies.
Implement and enforce safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.
Keep off season equipment and supplies organized, labeled, and properly stored
Periodically tackle projects like painting jumps and rails or re-organizing rooms or equipment
Drag the indoor and outdoor riding rings daily
Monitor equipment, buildings, and property for signs of wear and coordinate maintenance and repair

Staff Supervision and Training:

Lead and supervise a small team of part-time barn staff, providing guidance, support, and training as needed.
Assign tasks and responsibilities to staff members, ensuring efficient workflow and optimal use of resources.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback to the staff, promoting growth and professional development.
Manage the staffing schedules to ensure consistent coverage.

Client Relations and Communication:

Maintain positive relationships with horse owners, trainers, and other clients, addressing their concerns, providing updates, and ensuring excellent customer service.
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including staff, clients, and veterinarians, regarding horse care, emergencies, and other relevant information.
Work in support of the summer camp counsellors and coaches during the times where the campers are performing their barn chores or organizing their ponies for a ride

Competition Prep

Organize, prepare, and pack all of the required supplies and equipment for each competition we travel to
Unpack, clean, and organize everything upon return so it is ready for the next event
Schedule and coordinate with shippers and any other required logistics for travelling to each competition
Experience and willingness to help with pony shipping duties considered a plus

Budgeting and Financial Management:

Assist in developing and managing the barn's budget, including forecasting expenses and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
Track and maintain accurate records of all financial transactions, such as horse boarding fees, feed costs, and veterinary expenses.
Identify and recommend improvements or investments in the barn's infrastructure, equipment, and facilities.

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Note: This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications of the Horse Barn Manager position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Other tasks may be assigned as needed to meet the organization's goals and objectives.

Qualifications:

Proven experience in horse care and barn management, preferably in a supervisory role.
In-depth knowledge of equine health, nutrition, and general care practices.
Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively manage staff, clients, and vendors.
Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and solve problems.
Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
Basic computer proficiency for record keeping and communication purposes.
Physical fitness and stamina to handle the demands of barn management, including lifting heavy objects and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
A passion for horses and a commitment to their well-being.

Hours:

This is a full time position, with an expectation of 40 hours per week. Our ideal days of work would be Tuesday-Saturday but are willing to accommodate other weekly schedules if necessary.

The seasonality of our business typically leads to much lighter overall work in the coldest winter months, and then because of our day camps and competition schedule in the summer, can then lead to increased demands in the summer months.

Pay/Salary:

We offer above market wages as part of our efforts to ensure we are able to attract the very best people to our team. We have standard pay structures for our coaches and our regular farm hands, however for this role, we are expecting a wider range of applicants, and are seeking a more experienced and driven person who is looking to help us continue building Neverland into a model for athlete development.

Interested in the position?

Please send your resume and cover letter to info@neverlandponies.com. In the subject line, please include the name of the role you’re applying for.