Agriculture & EnvironmentISCO 6121
Horse breeder
A horse breeder is a person who runs a horse breeding operation and answers for the daily care of the animals.
Check yourself in a minute: horse breeder
Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
train horses
control animal movement
manage animal biosecurity
provide nutrition to animals
assist in transportation of animals
About horse breeder
The breeder chooses horses for breeding on pedigree, conformation, health and intended use — riding horses are matched differently from driving horses, and differently again where a breed is being conserved — and keeps the records: pedigree, coverings, foalings, test results and conformation assessments. The breeder knows livestock species and equine anatomy well enough to judge what an individual will pass on.
In daily care, the breeder feeds horses according to age, work and condition — a nursing mare, a foal and a competition horse eat differently — waters them, turns them out, looks after feet and coat, watches behaviour and recognises the first signs of illness: loss of appetite, lameness, colic, a change in temperament. The breeder also keeps a record of the work done.
The breeder operates farm equipment, prepares feed and bedding, maintains the stables, and manages animal biosecurity: quarantine for new horses, vaccination, worming and keeping animals apart.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a horse breeder.
1
Manage breeding programme and genetic selection
- Maintain detailed breeding records documenting pedigree, performance, health history, and genetic traits for all animals
- Select breeding stock based on genetic quality, health status, conformation, temperament, and performance characteristics
- Monitor and manage reproductive cycles, arrange mating, and support pregnant mares through gestation and foaling
- Evaluate offspring development, assess conformation and performance potential, and make culling or retention decisions
2
Provide health management and veterinary care
- Implement preventive health programmes including vaccinations, deworming, dental checks, and regular health assessments
- Recognize signs of animal illness, injury, or disease and arrange prompt veterinary treatment and care
- Manage biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission and control spread of contagious conditions within the herd
- Provide first aid to animals and assist veterinarians with medical procedures, diagnostics, and treatment protocols
3
Manage nutrition and daily animal care
- Develop appropriate feeding programmes based on animal age, life stage, activity level, and nutritional requirements
- Source quality feed and forage, monitor feed quality and storage conditions, and manage inventory and procurement
- Provide daily care including feeding, watering, grooming, and exercise appropriate to each animal's age and condition
- Manage stable facilities, pasture conditions, and housing to ensure animal comfort, safety, and welfare standards
4
Train and handle horses
- Train young horses in basic ground handling, leading, and desensitization to develop safe, manageable animals
- Control animal movement during handling, transport, and veterinary procedures using appropriate restraint and safety techniques
- Assess temperament and behavior, address behavioral issues, and socialize animals for human interaction and work
5
Monitor livestock health and maintain records
- Perform daily health checks including body condition scoring, observation of appetite and behavior, and detection of abnormalities
- Create and maintain comprehensive animal health records documenting vaccinations, treatments, injuries, and medical history
- Assist in transportation of animals ensuring proper loading, safety, and welfare during movement
- Track production and performance metrics including growth rates, reproductive success, and individual animal productivity
6
Manage business operations and customer relations
- Handle sales and marketing of horses and breeding services, including assessment of buyer suitability and animal selection
- Manage breeding business operations including breeding contracts, documentation, and regulatory compliance
- Maintain professional relationships with veterinarians, breed organizations, fellow breeders, and industry stakeholders
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (32)
livestock reproductionlivestock reproductionThe natural and artificial reproduction techniques, gestation periods and birthing for livestock.animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.equine dental diseasesequine dental diseasesPrevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases for horses.livestock feedinglivestock feedingFood given to domestic animals in the course of animal husbandry.livestock specieslivestock speciesLivestock species and relevant genetics.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.train horsestrain horsesHarness, dress and train horses as per the instructions provided. Take into account the age and breed of the horse and the preparation purposes.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transpor...provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...breed horsesbreed horsesOperate a suitable environment for horse breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of horses. Monitor the horse's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determina...feed livestockfeed livestockCalculate feed rations for all stages of growth and prepare, distribute and control quality of fodder.monitor livestockmonitor livestockMonitor and record the production and the welfare of the livestock.maintain professional recordsmaintain professional recordsProduce and maintain records of work performed.manage the health and welfare of livestockmanage the health and welfare of livestockAssess the current health status of your livestock. Manage any existing disease or disorder, including the requirements for isolation of livestock. Plan and manage a livestock health and welfare plan ...create animal recordscreate animal recordsCreate animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...advise horse owners on farriery requirementsadvise horse owners on farriery requirementsDiscuss and agree the farriery and hoof care requirements of the equine with the responsible person.dispose of dead animalsdispose of dead animalsDispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...operate farm equipmentoperate farm equipmentSupervise the smooth running of farm equipment which can include high pressure cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning and monitor the temperature of premises. Make sure tractors and other veh...assist animal birthassist animal birthAssist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodin...administer drugs to facilitate breedingadminister drugs to facilitate breedingAdminister specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and reco...select livestockselect livestockTag, sort and separate animals by purpose and destination taking into account the condition of the animal and relevant legislation.administer treatment to animalsadminister treatment to animalsAdminister animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'.manage livestockmanage livestockPlan production programmes, birth plans, sales, feed purchase orders, materials, equipment, housing, location and stock management. Plan the destruction of relevant animals in humane manner and in acc...care for juvenile animalscare for juvenile animalsAssess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
Optional (13) — show
animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...computerised feeding systemscomputerised feeding systemsThe functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.assess management of animalsassess management of animalsEvaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.advise customers on appropriate pet careadvise customers on appropriate pet careProvide information to customers on how to feed and care for pets, appropriate food choices, vaccination needs, etc.advise on animal purchaseadvise on animal purchaseAdvise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.maintain welfare of animals during transportationmaintain welfare of animals during transportationKeep the health and welfare of animals during transportation, including frequent monitoring for signs of stress and symptoms of ill health.train livestock and captive animalstrain livestock and captive animalsTrain animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.implement exercise activities for animalsimplement exercise activities for animalsProvide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.'.work with veterinarianswork with veterinariansConsult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.advise on animal welfareadvise on animal welfarePrepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommenda...assess animal nutritionassess animal nutritionAssess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a horse breeder do?
Horse breeders oversee the production and day-to-day care of horses. They maintain the health and welfare of horses.
What skills does a horse breeder need?
A horse breeder needs 32 essential skills, including livestock reproduction, animal nutrition, animal welfare legislation, equine dental diseases, livestock feeding.
Will AI replace horse breeder jobs?
The AI disruption score for horse breeder is 16/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: maintain professional records, computerised feeding systems, health and safety regulations. Most resilient: train horses, control animal movement, dispose of dead animals.
AI Replacement Risk
16/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupMarket-oriented skilled agricultural workers
Essential Skills32
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