Equine Rehabilitation & Conditioning Manager / Program Lead

Eighteen Acres Farm is a professional hunter/jumper training and equine care facility in Jenks, Oklahoma, just outside Tulsa. In addition to our training and competition infrastructure, the farm includes dedicated rehabilitation and conditioning resources including a water treadmill, walker, veterinary workspace, indoor and outdoor arenas, extensive turnout and the ability to support individualized return-to-work and fitness/conditioning programs.

We are looking for an experienced equine professional who is excited not only to provide excellent rehabilitation and conditioning care, but potentially to help us build the program itself.

This opportunity could fit an experienced equine rehabilitation professional, veterinary technician or assistant with strong sport-horse experience, conditioning specialist, or another exceptionally knowledgeable horse-person whose experience combines practical horse handling with creative thinking, problem solving skills, a sophisticated understanding of soundness, recovery and athletic development.

The position will work closely with veterinarians and the EAF training team. It is not intended to replace the role of the attending veterinarian; rehabilitation and medical plans will be implemented collaboratively and within the appropriate professional scope.

Core Responsibilities

1. Coordinate and execute individualized rehabilitation, conditioning and return-to-work programs in collaboration with attending veterinarians and trainers.
2. Operate and manage rehabilitation and conditioning equipment, including the water treadmill and walker.
3. Monitor horses carefully for changes in soundness, comfort, behavior, swelling, movement, fitness or response to workload and communicate concerns promptly.
4. Maintain detailed, useful records of each horse's program, progress, veterinary instructions and relevant observations.
5. Assist with hand-walking, controlled exercise, groundwork and other prescribed conditioning or rehabilitation activities.
6. Coordinate rehabilitation schedules with medications, veterinary visits, farrier work, riding and turnout.
7. Ensure rehabilitation equipment and treatment spaces are kept exceptionally clean, safe, organized and appropriately maintained.
8. Develop SOPs and practical systems for equipment use, sanitation, documentation, scheduling and horse safety.
9. Communicate clearly and professionally with horse owners, veterinarians, trainers and barn staff.
10. Help educate staff so rehabilitation instructions are carried out consistently across the horse's entire day.
11. Participate in developing the longer-term structure, service offerings and standards of EAF's rehabilitation and conditioning program.

For the right candidate, there is substantial opportunity to help shape and grow this function rather than simply operate an existing schedule.

The Ideal Candidate:

This work requires more than technical knowledge. Rehabilitation horses may be fresh, painful, worried, restricted from normal activity or difficult to handle. We need someone with excellent practical horsemanship, patience, judgment and the ability to notice small changes.

Culture matters equally. We value calm competence, direct and respectful communication, careful documentation, willingness to think outside the box and be creative to identify unique solutions, intellectual curiosity and the confidence to say "I don't know; let's ask someone else" when appropriate. We want someone who collaborates well with trainers, grooms, clients and veterinary professionals and who can advocate for a horse without creating unnecessary conflict around them.

Required:

1. Strong professional horse-handling experience, including fit, fresh or recovering sport horses.
2. Demonstrated experience with equine rehabilitation, conditioning, veterinary support or a closely related field.
3. Good working knowledge of equine anatomy, common injuries and the principles of progressive return to exercise.
4. Exceptional observation, organization and record keeping.
5. Comfort following detailed veterinary protocols accurately.
6. Strong communication and teamwork.
7. Ability to perform physically active work and safely handle horses in varying circumstances.

Particularly Valuable:

1. Experience with upper-level sport horses.
2. Water treadmill or hydrotherapy experience.
3. Veterinary technician/assistant experience.
4. Formal study in veterinary technology, equine science, rehabilitation, exercise physiology or a related discipline.
5. Recognized rehabilitation or therapy certifications.
6. Experience developing return-to-performance conditioning programs.
7. Experience communicating directly with owners or outside clients.
8. Interest in helping develop a rehabilitation or conditioning business/program from an early stage.

Housing is available and may be incorporated into the compensation package.

Eighteen Acres Farm is currently building several complementary positions as we develop the next phase of our program. We care more about exceptional people and the right combination of strengths than forcing every candidate into a predetermined box, and there may be flexibility in the scope of this role for an unusually strong fit.

To apply, please submit a resume, professional references, a brief description of your rehabilitation/conditioning experience and any relevant education, certifications or examples of programs you have managed.