7A71

PAY RANGE: 8

HOSTLER

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is semi-skilled work in the care of riding horses and the maintenance of stables during an assigned or rotating shift. Work is performed under the supervision of a group leader and involves conditions which can be only partially controlled. Work requires moderate physical effort and involves some disagreeable aspects.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• Employees in this class perform semi-skilled work in the care and maintenance of horses and stables.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Grooms horses using curry combs, washes, clothes, brushes, and mane and tail combs; trims and pulls manes; clips muzzles; bathes horses using medicated shampoos; picks horses' hooves using hoof pick; inspects horses' shoes for wear and looseness; treats and packs horses' hooves for thrush as necessary; clips horses with electric body and ear clippers; inspects general condition of horses; cleans horses' sheaths as needed.

Tacks horses using saddles, pads, housings, bridles and breast plates; uses special therapeutic pads as necessary; removes all tack after patrol.

Cleans saddles, bridles and other tack using saddle soap, leather conditioner and other cleaners as needed; oils tack to prevent dry rot; cleans metal with polish and steel wool.

Cleans stalls by removing dirty straw with pitchforks; cleans stall floors with rakes and push brooms; replaces dirty straw with fresh straw; places hay in stalls; inspects stalls for damage; checks for exposed nails; removes cob webs and dust from walls and ledges.

Cleans tack room, operations room, staff room, bathrooms, locker rooms and hallways.

Cleans catwalk, hayloft, loading deck and surrounding areas of barn; hoses and scrubs barn aisleways; washes stalls and outside areas on a periodic basis.

Waters horses at trough or in box stalls; hay and feeds horses according to horses' weight, appetite and condition; mixes and dumps feed; administers medicines and supplements in horses' feed as necessary.

Turns out horses for the purpose of exercise.

May administer medications using a dose syringe or balling gun; cleans wounds and applies medication and bandages as needed; takes horses temperature using a rectal thermometer when necessary.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• basic horse anatomy and physiology

• the general care of horses

• proper grooming procedures and nutritional needs of horses

• the supplies and equipment used in the care of horses

• horse injuries and specialized treatment of injuries

• equine first-aid and bandaging

ABILITY TO:

• control horses under varying circumstances

• practice safe horse-riding techniques

• recognize and report symptoms of illness in horses

• care for multiple horses independently or with associates

• lift heavy equipment and load horses onto trailer

• operate cleaning equipment safely

• follow applicable safety rules and regulations

• understand and follow oral and written instructions

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/22.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of the equivalent of the twelfth school grade.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

One year of experience in the care, feeding and grooming of riding, racing or show horses.

NOTE: Completion of additional years of the experience described above satisfies the education requirement.

NOTE: Documented and verifiable volunteer experience will be accepted in lieu of paid experience for the experience required above.[JL1]

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which includes the experience described above.

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Laborer (7A01)

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment in this class.

Class Established 1/53

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 11/96

Ad. Board - 3/97

Spec Revision:

CSC: 7/13

Ad. Board: 8/13

Spec Revision:

CSC: 11/16

Ad. Board: 1/17

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 7/22

Ad. Board – 9/22