Feedlot Cowboy / Pen Rider needed at Cattle Operation in Nebraska

Mark Miller Cattle

Location
Bloomfield, NE
Job Type
Full Time, Year round
Salary
$15-$20 /hr
Posted
October 6, 2026
Housing Offered?
Yes
Experience
0-2 yrs
Sponsoring Work Visas?
No
How to Apply
Via Email

FEEDLOT COWBOY / PEN RIDER

POSITION DETAILS

Location: Bloomfield Nebraska
Employment Type: Full-Time

ABOUT THE POSITION

Mark Miller Cattle is looking for an experienced cowboy and skilled horseman to join our team as a Feedlot Pen Rider.

This is a hands-on position for someone who knows cattle, knows horses, and takes pride in his or her ability to evaluate cattle from horseback.

The Pen Rider will ride feedlot pens daily, closely monitor cattle, identify health concerns, and communicate observations to the Feedlot Manager and animal health team. This position will also have significant responsibility for the daily care, health, conditioning, and overall management of the horses used in the feedlot operation.

We are looking for someone who is experienced, observant, dependable, safety-minded, and takes pride in good horsemanship and good cattlemanship.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Cattle & Pen Riding

  • Ride feedlot pens daily to observe cattle.
  • Identify cattle that are sick, injured, lame, off-feed, or not performing well.
  • Recognize subtle changes in cattle behavior, appearance, movement, and condition.
  • Identify cattle that need treatment or further evaluation.
  • Communicate cattle health concerns promptly to the Feedlot Manager.
  • Assist with pulling, sorting, processing, shipping, and gathering cattle.
  • Monitor cattle during changing weather conditions.
  • Handle cattle calmly using low-stress cattle handling practices.
  • Maintain consistent communication regarding cattle health and pen conditions.

Horse Care & Management

  • Provide daily care for the feedlot’s horses.
  • Feed and water horses according to established schedules.
  • Monitor horse weight, condition, attitude, and overall health.
  • Check horses daily for injury, illness, soreness, and lameness.
  • Maintain proper conditioning for horses used in daily pen riding.
  • Recognize when a horse is not physically or mentally fit to work.
  • Coordinate veterinary and farrier care as needed.
  • Maintain appropriate hoof care and farrier schedules.
  • Keep saddles, bridles, pads, and other tack clean and in good condition.
  • Maintain clean, safe, and organized horse facilities.
  • Monitor horse pastures, corrals, fencing, and water systems.
  • Maintain records of veterinary and farrier care when needed.

Equipment & Tack

  • Maintain saddles, bridles, bits, pads, ropes, halters, and other tack.
  • Keep equipment clean, safe, and properly stored.
  • Report damaged or unsafe equipment.
  • Help maintain horse trailers, corrals, and other horse-related equipment.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate is:

  • An experienced cowboy and horseman
  • Highly experienced riding cattle pens in a feedlot or similar environment
  • Comfortable working horseback around large groups of cattle
  • Skilled at evaluating cattle and recognizing health concerns
  • Knowledgeable about cattle behavior and basic cattle health
  • Experienced in daily horse care and management
  • Able to recognize signs of horse illness, injury, soreness, or lameness
  • Patient, confident, and respectful with both cattle and horses
  • Dependable and self-motivated
  • Physically capable of performing the duties of the position
  • Safety-conscious
  • A strong communicator
  • Someone who takes pride in his or her horses, cattle, equipment, and work

EXPERIENCE

Required:

  • Significant experience riding and handling horses
  • Significant experience working cattle
  • Experience riding horses around cattle
  • Feedlot, ranch, or livestock experience
  • Basic knowledge of cattle and horse health
  • Valid driver’s license

Preferred:

  • Previous feedlot pen riding experience
  • Extensive ranch or feedlot cowboy experience
  • Experience managing a string of working horses
  • Experience with horse conditioning and maintenance
  • Equine first-aid knowledge
  • Experience working with veterinarians and farriers
  • Experience with low-stress cattle handling

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a hands-on, physically demanding position requiring daily work around cattle, horses, and agricultural equipment.

The position requires working outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, wind, dust, and mud.

The position may require early mornings, weekends, holidays, and additional hours depending on cattle needs, weather, and horse care.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Competitive pay based on experience and skill
  • Performance-based compensation opportunities
  • Full-time, long-term employment
  • Company horses
  • Company Housing options, if available
  • Benefits, as outlined below
  • Opportunity to work with a professional cattle and horse operation
  • Opportunity to take ownership and pride in the horse program
  • Stable, long-term employment

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The right person will become an important part of our cattle and horse operation.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their job and understands that good pen riding is about more than simply riding through a pen.

A successful Pen Rider will:

  • Know his or her cattle.
  • Know his or her horses.
  • Notice the small things.
  • Identify health problems early.
  • Communicate concerns quickly.
  • Take pride in his or her horses and equipment.
  • Handle cattle calmly and confidently.
  • Maintain horses that are healthy, fit, and ready to work.
  • Be dependable and take responsibility for the job.
  • Treat cattle and horses with respect.

WHY MARK MILLER CATTLE?

At Mark Miller Cattle, we believe good cattle, good people, and good management go hand in hand. We are looking for someone who wants to be more than an employee. We are looking for someone who wants to become an important part of the operation, who will take pride in the work he or she does, and who will help us continue to improve and grow.

If you are an experienced cattleman and a strong leader who is ready to take the next step in your career, we would like to hear from you.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your resume and a brief description of your experience working with cattle and/or in a feedlot environment.

Mark Miller Cattle is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits: Fully Paid Employee Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401(k) / Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, Bonus / Performance Incentive, Employee Housing

Mark Miller Cattle NE
Mark Miller Cattle NE

Email
[email protected]

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