Pen Rider – Yuma Feedlot

Horseback work at the Yuma Feedlot on Colorado’s eastern plains, reporting to the cattle manager or head cowboy. Pen riders ride assigned pens daily, read cattle for outward signs of distress, cut sick animals out to the hospital pen, call in deads and return treated cattle and strays to their home pens. They help ship finished cattle — gates, driving to the scales, counting, separating strays and checking withdrawals — and move cattle around the yard slowly using low-stress handling. Keeping the horse facilities and break room clean and reporting pen maintenance issues are part of the role. You must be able to ride safely and furnish your own gentle horse and tack, know cattle breeds and characteristics, do arithmetic with units and weights, and work varied hours during shipping.